Associate Programme Officer – UNV  

Description of assignment title: Associate Programme Officer

Assignment country: Zambia

Expected start date: 01/10/2024

Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity: UNHCR

Type: Onsite

Duration

24 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Lusaka

Details

Mission and objectives

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations 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. UNHCR 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. UNHCR also has a mandate to help stateless people. As of 31 December 2021, UNHCR had recruited 18,879 people, of whom around nearly 91 per cent are based in the field. UNHCR works in 137 countries and territories, with personnel based in a mixture of regional and branch offices and sub and field offices. Our teams work hard to help the displaced, specializing in a wide range of disciplines, including legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs and health.

Context

The Associate Programme Officer will be supervised and guided by the Programme Officer and will receive support from other sections and units relevant to programme management. UNHCR Manual, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Associate Programme Officer. The incumbent will provide programmatic guidance and support regarding the implementation of protection and solutions strategies within available resources. S/he will coordinate with the other sections/units to ensure harmonized programmatic approaches at all levels and throughout the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle. The incumbent will work in line with the overall UNHCR directions which crucially requires working with partners, including with persons of concern, Government institutions and the private sector, through harnessing collaborative networks between JICA and other UN agencies, and the private sector through ensuring that programme management is approached as per UNHCR’s Strategic Directions, Global Compact for Refugees and corporate positions on SDGs. The incumbent will be expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Manual, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, the IUN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Assist in ensuring that UNHCR’s Global Strategic Directions and regional directions as well as information on projected resource availability guide the planning process. • Provide inputs for developing the country multiyear strategy (2025 to 2028) compliance with global and regional strategic directions as well as with annual programming/planning instructions. • Through a consultative process within the country and field visits, stay involved in the development of the strategies, methodologies, contingency plans that respond to new and emerging operational challenges for the country. • Assist in organizing a consultative process to ensure a consistent application of the organization’s criteria and policies for the selection of implementing and operational partners. • Assist in managing the development of a broad network of partners including JICA, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities. • Assist in training UNHCR as well as implementing partners (IP) staff in UNHCR standard procedures related to the new Results Framework. • Undertake proper collection, monitoring and use of baselines, standards and indicators needed to measure and analyse UNHCR’s performance, trends and target interventions. • Undertake field visits to evaluate and improve the planning, programming, implementation and monitoring of assistance projects. • Assist in implementing the establishment of sound monitoring processes, in reviewing final reports and on progress to advise on any corrective actions required or the need for additional resources to reach planned target levels. • Apply UNHCR’s corporate tools for planning, COMPASS and donor reporting, to record data and assess the technical soundness of the operation and generate data for evidence-based decisions at the country-level. • Assist in the development of funding submissions, appeals and reports. • Assist in monitoring compliance to the organization’s resource allocation framework, providing support and assisting in corrective action where required. • Assist in establishing and handling Implementing Partners Reports.

 Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Additional eligibility criteria

This assignment is funded by JICA, therefore only former Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JICA-JOCV) who could get recommendation by JICA-JOCV Secretariat are eligible to apply. Please check your application eligibility on the JICA website (https://www.jica.go.jp/volunteer/obog/career_support/unv/index.html). The assignment is planned to start October/November 2023.

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Donor priorities

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Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in the field of programme planning / management, project management and monitoring and reporting. • Previous experience in working with Development and Private Sector Partnerships will be an advantage. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel, Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office Applications (excel, word etc) and familiarity with database management. • Excellent understanding of UNHCR, its mandate, priorities, and field operations is an advantage. • Excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and negotiate skills to deal with the donor and staff members of different cultural and educational backgrounds are essential. • Excellent computer skills (Ms Word Excel, and PowerPoint essential) is essential. • A good understanding of development issues and working culture is required. • Management of multifunctional teams, ensuring timely implementation of complex projects, monitoring and reporting.

Area(s) of expertise

Development programmes

Driving license

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Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation.

Competencies and values

. Accountability . Commitment and Motivation . Commitment to Continuous Learning . Communication. Integrity . Judgement and Decision-making . Planning and Organizing . Professionalism . Working in Teams

 Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Zambia is a land-linked, resource-rich country with sparsely populated land in the centre of Southern Africa. It shares its border with eight countries (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe) that serve as an expanded market for its goods. Lusaka is the capital of the Republic of Zambia. The climate is sunny and temperate, but it can be very cold during few months, with freezing temperature at times especially during the night. It is therefore advisable to bring warm clothing and foresee using heaters and other heating options when necessary. As the commercial and cultural centre of Zambia, Lusaka has seen rapid development in recent decades, with reasonable transportation connections and widely spoken English making the city highly attractive to vacationers and experts alike. Unemployment and poverty are issues in the city, and beyond. Key industries for the region and Zambia as a whole, include mining, agriculture, and tourism. Like most Southern African cities, life in Lusaka will require some adjustments for a person moving from outside the region, but the potential rewards and opportunities for experiences are well worth the effort. Lusaka hosts several international organisation and embassies/diplomatic missions, therefore there is a very large community of expatriates from around the world. Housing is most of the time readily available and of good standard options are available. Most foodstuffs, beverages, household goods, furniture, and clothing, mostly imported from South Africa, Europe, and China while some ranges of local brands are available at a competitive price to imports. Meat, fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables are reasonably priced and abundantly available. The basic infrastructures – roads, utilities, and telecommunications are of reasonable standard, although the city experiences power outages from time to time. Medical facilities are still largely inadequate, although several private clinics and hospitals provide reasonably good routine care. Several restaurants around the city serve local or international cuisine and there are numerous social and sports facilities (fitness, tennis, swimming, riding, golf, etc.) in the major hotels or in different establishments around the city. There are no major or special security concerns within Lusaka city limits. For more information, please visit http://zambiatourism.com.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds

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