Mission and objectives

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

Context

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org). Therefore, the Project control Unit intends to provide 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.

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Deputy Representative or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Project Control Officer will: - Participate in the annual assessment and planning cycle. - Review that project agreements are in conformity with Country Operation Plans and UNHCR’s rules, policies and procedures. - Formulate and implement a performance project monitoring plan in collaboration with the Programme Unit and MFT. - 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. - Track the management of project and direct implementation risks in collaboration with the Programme Unit and report major risks to senior management. - Review, analyze and verify Financial and Performance Partner Reports (PFR and PPR), and check accuracy and consistency between PFR and PPR, in accordance with partnership agreements. - Undertake missions within the geographical area of responsibility. - Monitor, track and verify that expenditure for direct implementation by UNHCR is in line with the approved budget. - Conduct reviews of the internal control systems of partners and provide advice as required. - Provide feedback and recommendations of identified variants, risks and issues to the partner, Programme Unit and escalate to management as required. - Prepare project control reports with the current status of programme implementation and financial status. - Carry out timely project closure in coordination with the programme unit. - Provide input to the mid- and end-year programme review process on issues related to project control and risk management. - Maintain professional relationships with partners and UNHCR’s contractors. - Provide the necessary support to partners, particularly in terms of capacity building, in order to address any gaps that may hinder the implementation of the project. - Keep up to date with all UNHCR rules, regulations and procedures necessary to perform these duties. - Report on financial and operational performance and risks related to projects and activities under direct implementation and escalate issues to senior management. - Recommend acceptance or non-acceptance of Partner Reports and payment of instalments. - Advise on improvements related to implementing partnerships and direct implementation management and internal controls. - Facilitates project audits and make follow-up of implementation of audit recommendations - Contact partners for project related matters. - Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies and values

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards the UN core values.

Living conditions and remarks

The country is landlocked and surrounded by countries with security problems (Chad, DRC, Sudan, and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation, social unrest, and grievance in Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of public services due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are causing insecurity in town. The security situation across the country is still a concern as crimes (theft, abduction, armed robbery, carjacking, murder, illegal detention of weapons and illegal checkpoints/taxation, torture and sexual violence) continue throughout the country because of endemic poverty, easy access to weapons and the weak capacity or absence of judicial authorities in many areas. However, the deployment of the FACA (Forces Armee nationals) in Bangui led to an improvement of the overall security situation. A curfew is established by the UN system from 10pm-5am. The country is totally dependent on Cameroon seaport for supplies. There are 4 airlines that operate to/from Bangui. As an example, travel time from Douala to Bangui for a truckload averages 4 days to a week due to bad roads and roadblocks. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. A UN clinic provides basic medical care for UN personnel. The entire country is a High-Risk non-family duty station-D with 6 weeks R&R cycle. The CAR operation is full of humanitarian challenges. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.