SENIOR PROGRAMME ASSISTANT

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The humanitarian consequences of the latest conflict and ongoing lawlessness are considerable with serious protection concerns. The collapse of local administration as well as public services reinforced by the magnitude of the protection and security matters remains of great concern. Large displacement, destruction of property and loss of livelihoods have exacerbated vulnerabilities of already very fragile populations deprived of basic services. Overall, as of August 31st, 2021, UNHCR is dealing with 852,308 persons of concern in CAR, including 712,945 IDPs, 9,181 refugees, 124,949 IDP Returnees, 4,937 Refugees return-ees (2020) and 296 Asylum seekers. . Despite the joint efforts of the humanitarian community, international military forces such as MINUSCA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic) and other actors, the protection situation in the entire country remains worrisome. Until today, the security in the CAR has not been fully restored. Nevertheless, some improvements have been registered in 2016 and further confirmed in early 2017, especially in the North-West CAR area (AoR FO Paoua). Following the presidential vote (end of 2015 and Febru-ary 2016), a new president was elected. Through the previous UNHCR’s protection monitoring projects, and on the basis of the recent protection monitoring data collection missions, and other assess-ment missions that have been undertaken by the Protection Cluster members and of information available from other reliable sources, the following major protection issues continue to be identi-fied in the country: physical violence including sexual violence, rapes and attempts to rape, tar-geted and deliberate attacks on civilians, burning of villages, lootings, arbitrary arrests and illegal detention, torture, extortion of goods, armed robbery, recruitment of civilians including children into armed groups, restriction of movements and abduction.

The Senior Programme Assistant is normally supervised by the Assistant Field Officer and performs a variety of functions related to Programme/Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines work processes and provides regular advice and guidance.

• The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with U NHCR’s partners and staff mem-bers in the same duty station to exchange information. He also does with the external con-tacts generally with officials of national and international institutions, leaders of the IDP and refugee communities, local population and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor.

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

• UNHCR office has sufficient administrative and local support for the field activities thus better able to meet the needs of persons of concern.
• UNHCR’s policies, standards and procedures are constantly and coherently applied in the area of responsibility (AoR).

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)

• Provide administrative assistance and support in routine services and activities within Programme thus better able to meet the needs of persons of concern.
• Assist in organizing and documenting the selection of partners in accordance with the policy on se-lection and retention of partners, ensuring due diligence to meet the requirements of projects.
• Provide support to ensure partnership agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly mon-itored and reported on, in compliance with established guidelines and procedures included in the framework for implementing with partners.
• Guided by the MFT approach, support the development and implementation of monitoring plans for activities implemented through partnerships and those under direct implementation in line with Pro-gramme Manual and programming instructions.
• Contribute to the review and analysis of operations plans, mid-year and year-end reports, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards. Generate and maintain records of implementation rate (performance progress and expenditures) on a regular basis.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with issuance of audit certificates for partners in line with the Policy on Risk-Based Project Audits.
• Use UNHCR’s corporate tools (e.g. Focus Client, Global Focus Insight and FOCUS Reader, MSRP) for core activities related to planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting, generating data for evidence-based programmatic decisions and analysis.
• Actively contribute to UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contributing to improvements of programming tools and processes.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

• Liaise with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
• Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level.

ACCOUNTABILITY INTEGRITY RESPONSABILITY TEAM SPIRIT

Relevant Job Experience Essential: Demonstrated experience in Programme Management, Operation Management Cycle and related processes. Knowledge of Results Based-Management. Computer skills (in MS office) including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, data management, etc).

Desirable: Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to function of the posi-tion including Programme Management – Level 1. E-tutoring of PM1, Framework for Implement-ing with Partners Learning Programme. Experience in programme management training and ca-pacity building activities. Functional Skills : PG-Programme Management (project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards) PG-Results-Based Management DM-Database Management PG-Programme Analysis IT-Computer Literacy Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the posi-tion Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.

The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DRC, Sudan, and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situa-tion and social unrest and grievance in particular in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil serv-ants strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service due to years of unpaid sala-ries.

Paoua Sub-prefecture is part of the Prefecture of Ouham Pende. It is located in the north west of the Central African Republic at 67 km from the Chadian border on the road axis towards Bemal and Gore in Chad. It is the most populated sub prefecture in the country. The chief town of Paoua is situated 506 from Bangui on the Boguila-Bossangoa-Bossembele axis. Paoua is accessible one hour by air from Bangui and ten hours by road from Bangui.

Paoua is connected to other towns through 4 principal exit points: - Paoua-Bossangoa could lead you directly to Bangui and with another axis to Baoro-Bouar and Berberati in Cameroun. - Paoua-Bémal leading towards Gorē in Chad. - Paoua-Bozoum-Bossemptélé continues towards Baoro and Bangui. - The fourth axe which is not recommended by UNDSS, links Paoua to M’Baimboum (Cameroon) through Ndim or Ngaoundaye . - Paoua-Bozoum: 120 km. - Bozoum-Bossemptélé: 80 km. - Bossemptélé-Bangui: 300 km. - Paoua-Boguila: 70 km. - Boguila-Bossangoa: 117 km. - Bossangoa-Bangui: 306 km. - Paoua-Chadian frontier: 69 km.

Security: The Security situation is relatively calm but could turn volatile like in other regions of the Central African Republic. The presence of the Cameroonian contingent of the MINUSCA force in Paoua and surrounding localities of Makounda, Bozoum, Bocaranga, and Yelewa have contributed in reinstating considerably conditions of security in the Prefecture of Ouham-Pende. Housing: Acceptable good standard housing is rare in Paoua. The UNOCHA guest house with camp beds is the only reasonable and convenient place for international staff. Healthcare: There is a small government hospital in Paoua supported by MSF France. There are two health centres in Paoua. These two health centres have very little medicines and also have skeletal staff. In case of preventive medicine MENTOR INITIATIVE, a health INGO, is present in Paoua. Paoua does not have any standard pharmacies but there exist small medicine stalls and hawkers selling drugs which are sometimes expired and not recommended. For certain illnesses such as diabetes staff are encouraged to bring their own medicines with them. This is also recommended for recurrent diseases such as Malaria. Personnel is also requested to bring their mosquito nets. Banks: There are no Banks and money Transfer agencies in Paoua
Telephone: Orange and Telecel SIM cards are available and functional. Markets and Commerce: There is a big market in Paoua and a commercial center where one-can buy a few items. It is advisable to procure most items in Bangui if anyone is en route to Paoua. Most shops are owned by Christians and Muslims. Prices of items in these shops vary according to the season and the political situation on the ground. Prices are also affected by the condition of the bad roads which connect Paoua to neighboring supply border markets of Mbai-boum in Cameroon and Gore –Doba in Chad. Prices also depend on the opening and closure of border posts between Cameroon and Chad. Transport: There are no taxis in Paoua. Motorbikes are the only means of transportation used by the habitants in Paoua. Leisure: There are no recommended leisure spots in Poaua. A few drinking stalls/bars are available but with poor hygienic conditions. There are three football fields and a volley ball court. Religion: There are many churches in Paoua prominent are the Catholic with two parishes, Apostolic, Protestant churches, a Jehovah witness assembly. Paoua also has 3 Mosques.