Project Control Officer at UNHCR

B

 

Family

 

 

 

PR3

 

Professional

* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.

 

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

 

No

 

2023-04-26

 

May 15, 2023

Project Control Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Project Control Officer is part of the multi-functional team. In coordination with DFAM¿s Implementing Partnership Management Service, s/he is responsible and accountable for providing substantive support, guidance, and oversight on the effective management of the Enhanced Framework for Implementing with Partners (the Framework) as well as oversight on the effective management of Direct Implementation.
Complementary to programme management, s/he will support and conduct analysis and assessment of risks associated with partnerships and direct implementation, policy compliance, operational practices, mitigation measures, and gaps and make technical recommendations or decisions in line with the principles of the Framework, of UN/UNHCR¿s financial rules, policies and regulations and operational context.
The incumbent prompts partnership integrity and other safeguarding mechanisms for ensuring sound stewardship and accountability of funds entrusted to partners or through direct implementation arrangements (e.g. contracts for the procurement of goods and/or services) to ensure resources are used in the most efficient and effective manner to attain the best results for persons of concern.
The Project Control Officer will promote dialogue and consultations for strengthening partnerships and have frequent contacts with UNHCR colleagues, particularly project control and programme staff. S/he may have contact with external stakeholders, such as UNHCR-funded partners, auditors, oversight bodies, and host governments on matters related to partnerships. The incumbent will be mindful of all dimensions of partnerships in accordance with the Principles of Partnership, the Code of Conduct, UN/UNHCR¿s financial rules, policies and regulations, and other relevant documents.
In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent works under the supervision of the Regional Controller. In the Country and Multi-Country Offices, the incumbent normally works under the direct supervision of the Representative or Deputy Representative, Head of Office or Senior Project Control Officer, as applicable.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
– Participate in the annual assessment and planning cycle.
– Participate in the development and implementation of partnership management objectives aligned with UNHCR¿s strategy and priorities.
– Participate in the development of the direct implementation monitoring plan in collaboration with the Programme Unit and other relevant functions.
– Support Programme and other relevant functions in the selection of implementation modalities.
– Support a coherent approach in the application of the Enhanced Framework for Implementing with Partners and compliance with its policies, principles, and procedures to ensure effective partnerships, as well as sound stewardship and accountability for the funds entrusted to partners.
– Pursue high-quality partnerships and integrity culture in UNHCR, among partners and UNHCR¿s contractors to mitigate misuse and wastage of resources, fraud and corruption, sexual abuse and exploitation, and other forms of misconduct; including recommendations to put in place safeguarding mechanisms and measures for detection, prevention, reporting, and addressing fraud, and other forms of partnership/ contractors misconduct.
– Ensure UNHCR management (country/bureau/global) and offices have access to high-quality and timely analytical insights and advice for enabling evidence-based operational decisions and accountability on project control, partnership and direct implementation management.
– Provide first-line support for project control, external and internal audit, evaluation, and other reviews pertaining to partnership and direct implementation management, and assist in gap analysis, establishing, measuring, and taking appropriate actions for addressing queries, recurrent weaknesses, and other findings.
– Ensure coherent practices of analysis and critical reviews of risk exposure and establishment of linkages of risk management with monitoring, financial management, project control, audit, and other processes related to partnership management and direct implementation to enhance effective delivery and optimum use of funds through partnerships or through direct implementation.
– Foster constructive dialogue and consultations with partners, UNHCR¿s contractors and other stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, interagency collaborations, and harmonisations.
– Contribute to strengthening the capacity of UNHCR and partners on partnership and direct implementation management.
– Seek innovative approaches in enhancing partnership and direct implementation management, gathering experiences, and sharing best practices and lessons learned among operations and partners.
– Contribute with inputs on reviews and enhancements of policies, procedures, and practices governing the framework for Implementing with Partners and the management of direct implementation.
– Perform other duties related to financial management as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Accounting                            Business Administration;                   Economics;           Finance

Public Administration                          Management                        or other relevant field.

(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience in financial management, accounting, project management, internal control assessment, internal audit and/or external audit, risk management and demonstrated experience in field operations. Demonstrated experience in effective partnership management and multi-stakeholder coordination in humanitarian, emergency or development contexts. Good knowledge and understanding of UNHCR/UN rules, policies, and regulations regarding partnership and financial management, oversight and compliance. Proven analytical skills, and abilities for identification of gaps and finding solutions. Good level of computer literacy in particular, experience in computerized systems and software. Experience in communicating, building capacities, coordinating consultative processes and building consensus. Ability to contribute in policy and process reviews.

Desirable
Innovation and technology skills in financial, risks and fraud management. Professional qualification in accounting (CPA, CMA or CA, CFE, ERM, or equivalent). Training in UNHCR’s protection and management learning programmes. Capacity building skills.

Functional Skills
*MG-Resource Management
BU-UN/UNHCR Budgetary cycle
BU-Budgeting
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

 

The Project Control Officer should have strong technical capacity and experience in his/her field of expertise. S/he should be a strong team player, have strong service orientation, flexibility, and proactivity to manage arising situations and challenges. He/she will be responsible for providing functional guidance to colleagues in different Units. It is therefore crucial that the incumbent be fully conversant with rules and regulations pertaining to Supply, Programme, Finance and IPSAS. The candidate should possess demonstrated knowledge of monitoring of activities funded by UNHCR based on audit project risk. The candidate should be familiar with developing risk assessment registers for both partners and activities implemented directly by the Operation. S/He should be fully conversant with MSRP and have a solid understanding of RBM, demonstrate capabilities to succeed in an operation with a big number of partners will be an asset. The incumbent of the position should have:
– Previous experience in project management, good skills in project financial verification, audit, financial management and risk management, preferably in mixed operations.
– Good decision making in challenging environment
– Experience in preparing for internal and external audits and following up on recommendations.
– Demonstrated drafting skills in English to issue good partner verifications reports, strong analytical skills;
– Proven ability to build and maintain a variety of relationships with partners (governmental and non-governmental);
– Ability to provide expert advice to colleagues in operations and partners and strong capacity building
– Computer skills (MS Office: Word, Excel, PPT)
– Have a high sense of integrity and confidentiality

 

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Malawi acceded to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. Malawi is also party to the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. There are approximately 55 thousand refugees and asylum seekers in Malawi.  More than half of the population fled from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the remaining population originating from Burundi, Rwanda and others from the East and Horn of African countries. Most of refugees in Malawi live in Dzaleka Refugee Camp which was set up in 1994 and has 17,148 households located some 41 kilometres away from the capital Lilongwe. Given this context, UNHCR supports the government of Malawi in providing protection and solutions, while at the same time developing networks by working with implementing partners and UN agencies in various areas of intervention.

Nature of Position:

The Project Control Officer should have strong technical capacity and experience in his/her field of expertise. S/he should be a strong team player, have strong service orientation, flexibility, and proactivity to manage arising situations and challenges. He/she will be responsible for providing functional guidance to colleagues in different Units. It is therefore crucial that the incumbent be fully conversant with rules and regulations pertaining to Supply, Programme, Finance and IPSAS. The candidate should possess demonstrated knowledge of monitoring of activities funded by UNHCR based on audit project risk. The candidate should be familiar with developing risk assessment registers for both partners and activities implemented directly by the Operation. S/He should be fully conversant with MSRP and have a solid understanding of RBM, demonstrate capabilities to succeed in an operation with a big number of partners will be an asset. The incumbent of the position should have:

– Previous experience in project management, good skills in project financial verification, audit, financial management and risk management, preferably in mixed operations.

– Good decision making in challenging environment

– Experience in preparing for internal and external audits and following up on recommendations.

– Demonstrated drafting skills in English to issue good partner verifications reports, strong analytical skills;

– Proven ability to build and maintain a variety of relationships with partners (governmental and non-governmental);

– Ability to provide expert advice to colleagues in operations and partners and strong capacity building

– Computer skills (MS Office: Word, Excel, PPT)

– Have a high sense of integrity and confidentiality

Living and Working Conditions:

Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, is a Category B duty station.

Malawi is generally a peaceful country. It just had a rerun of its presidential elections in June 2020, where the opposition became the ruling party. A new government has been in place since June. Access to services is relatively good but with limitations on health care facilities. Household items are generally cheap but with the COVID-19 restrictions and importations there has been a hike in price of commodities. Reponses to the current pandemic (corona) was previously highly politicised with number of infected positive cases on the increase. The main infectious diseases are Malaria, HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis and occasional cases of cholera. There are houses available for rent with reasonable price depending on whether it is government or personal owned. The UN has designated recommended areas for living for international staff. The security situation in and around Lilongwe is said to be generally good but with few occasional criminalities such as house burglary, vandalising of vehicles, pick pockets, etc.

Several banks exist that provides commercial services. There are two main mobile network providers which provide good service. Internet in equally available. As this is a family duty station there are schools where children can attend.

The Representation office is based in Lilongwe with a one Field Unit in Karonga. The office is relatively small with 75 staff members. The operation only has one refugee camp located approximately 45 kilometres from Lilongwe.

Malawi is a CRRF country and implementing MYMPSS.

 

Additional Qualifications

 

Skills

 

BA: Accounting, BA: Business Administration, BA: Economics, BA: Finance, BA: Management, BA: Public Administration

 

Certifications

 

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 1 to March 2023 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position requires Functional Clearance