Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position

E (most hardship)

Non FamilyDanger Pay

PR2

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.

In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2023-06-24

July 13, 2023

Associate Project Control Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate 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 Associate 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.
– 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, analyse 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.
– 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 partnership and direct implementation management and internal controls.
– Contact partners for project related matters.
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Business Administration; Economics; Management;
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Accounting; Auditing; Assc Chartered Certificate Account
Chartered Inst. Of Management Account
Institute of Mgmt Accountants
Chartered Accountant
Certif. Practising Accountant
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Good knowledge of international auditing standards.

Desirable
Working experience of at least one year in an intergovernmental organization (United Nations or similar). Good understanding of the workflows of major Enterprise Resource Planning financial modules (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle). Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS).

Functional Skills
PM-Project Monitoring
FI-International Auditing Standards
EL-Monitoring and Evaluation
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
CO-Reporting skills
FI-Financial auditing
(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.

• Sound experience and knowledge in financial management, programme management and accounting system, preferably MSRP and COMPASS.
• Managerial experience
• Oversight of partners/projects in high-risk operations
• Experience in working in hardship duty stations

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

For four decades Pakistan has been one of the largest refugee hosting countries with nearly 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees. Balochistan is the second largest refugee-hosting province in the country with over 300,000 Afghan refugees, majority (82%) residing in urban/rural areas and the remaining (18%) in ten refugee villages. UNHCR has presence in four locations in Balochistan, namely Sub-Office Quetta and three field units in Loralai, Dalbandin and Chaman. Sub-office Quetta is engaged in protection, health, education, energy, WASH and livelihood sectors with 10 implementing partners.

As per the Security Risk Management (SRM), the province security level is assessed to be Substantial. The general security environment remains volatile with daily reports of various security incidents. UNHCR’s staff movement is restricted, warranting the need to implement through partners and close coordination with local authorities, NGOs and UN agencies.

The Quetta Office has currently 108 staff including 19 international staff.

The Associate Project Control Officer will work under supervision of the Head of Sub-office and in coordination with the Project Control Unit in the Country Office Islamabad headed by a Senior Project Control Officer (P4). S/he will supervise a Senior Project Control Associate. The incumbent will undertake field missions to all operational areas in the province and work closely with both Project Control teams in Islamabad and Peshawar.

In addition to supporting partnership and performing overall responsibilities in the job description, the incumbent is expected to focus on addressing inherent risks, recurring control gaps and emphasizing on integrity, transparency and accountability with a robust multi-functional approach. S/he will have practical knowledge on audits with a view to supporting the operation with implementation of audit recommendations. The Assc Project Control Officer will support partners’ staff capacity building initiative of the operation. The spectrum of partnership requires pro-activeness, foresight, and diplomacy to positively engage them in a result-based partnership and achieve planned outcomes. Resilience and firmness need to be balanced with calmness and tact to address major concerns emanating from partnership and direct implementation activities.

Living and Working Conditions:

Quetta, a category E, non-family duty station, is the provincial capital of Balochistan. Quetta is constantly exposed to security risks due to the unstable and prone to escalation situation across the province. Emergencies may happen due to occurrence of natural disasters, e.g. floods, drought, earthquake and landslide.

International staff members are largely confined to a secured guest house, where they are required to live. The office is located within the same neighborhood with other UN Agencies. Living and working together in such confined quarters for extended periods of time can bring an additional degree of stress, and thus a high level of sensitivity, tolerance and flexibility is important.

Quetta is an isolated city, located at almost 1,000 KM away from the capital Islamabad with no recreational facilities that international staff could use. Most of the good facilities, including restaurants, sport clubs and big markets are located within the military camps to which access is strictly prohibited for international staff. On food, vegetables and drinks and beverages, staff can only find basic items which is used by locals and it’s difficult to find variety of options that international colleagues would prefer to have as a change. With limited flight options from Quetta, both domestic and international, travelling out is not an easy option. For international travels, it may take two days travel time to reach destination out of Quetta.

Major health hazards in the country include vaccine preventable diseases (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Typhoid); vector-borne diseases (Dengue Fever, Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Malaria); non-communicable diseases, predominantly cardio-metabolic disorders, and obstructive lung disease; as well as injuries secondary to road traffic accidents or natural disasters. Medical facilities in Quetta are very meager. Language and cultural barriers make it harder for the provision of emergency and specialized services. Therefore, most of the international staff opt to arrange for their medical check and treatments while outside of Quetta.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Accounting (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Finance (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Administration (Required)

Certifications

Accounting – Other, Association of Chartered Certified Accountant – ACCA, Auditing – Other, Certif. Practicing Accountant – Other, Chartered Accountant (CA) – Other, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants – CIMA, Institute of Management Accountants – Other

Competencies

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

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

Compendium

Add. 3 to March 2023 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance