Senior Project Control Officer, P4, Warsaw At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior 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 Senior 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 or Head of Office, 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 and contribute to the annual assessment and planning cycle.

– Participate in and contribute to 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 and oversee 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.

– Champion and pursue high quality partnerships and integrity culture in UNHCR, among partners and UNHCR¿s contractors to mitigate misuse and wastage of resources, fraud and corruptions, sexual abuse and exploitation, and other forms of misconduct, including assessing and putting in place safeguards 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, evaluations, 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 relate to partnership agreement 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 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.

– Participate and 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 P4/NOD – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years 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

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

BU-Budgeting

BU-UN/UNHCR budgetary cycle and procedures

MG-Resource Management

(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.

Desired Candidate Profile

– can demonstrate flexibility and adaptability;

– has good planning and organizing capabilities;

– is expected to have good interpersonal and negotiation skills to be able to work with a variety of interlocutors;

– is interested and experienced in capacity-building, coaching and mentoring of staff who will be more junior to UNHCR;

– has confirmed managerial experience/skills;

– has experience in working in an emergency situation, or at least in a big field operation.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

Desired languages

,

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:

Poland’s eastern borders with Ukraine and Belarus serve as the European Union’s external boundaries. It currently hosts over 1 million refugees from Ukraine, in addition to a smaller number of asylum seekers and refugees from different countries.

UNHCR has been in Poland for 30 years (since 1992), working with national authorities on refugee-related matters. With the Ukraine emergency, UNHCR has substantially scaled up its presence and operations. It currently has a Country Office and Frontex Liaison Office in Warsaw, two Field Offices in Warsaw and Lublin and two Sub-Offices in Rzeszow and Krakow, with a workforce of over 100 national and international staff.

The overarching principles guiding UNHCR’s strategy in Poland include: i) localization and centrality of protection, ii) strengthening national systems, avoiding duplication and rationalizing the Refugee Coordination Model (RCM) so that it serves the purpose efficiently and iii) capitalizing on the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR) paradigms to advance the rights of refugees and stateless persons in Poland.

As the UN-mandated agency to provide international protection to refugees, UNHCR leads the refugee coordination structure in support of the Government-led response, with the aim to complement, support and strengthen the national response to the refugee crisis, along with ensuring no duplication of interventions and complementarity of action.

UNHCR is funding Partners to implement projects in line with the UNHCR Strategy and Country Operation Plan. In 2023 UNHCR has signed partnership agreements with INGOS (2) and NGOs (7), some of which are umbrella organisations for other local organisations. Most Partners are new local Partners who need to be capacitated in order to meet UNHCR requirements especially in relation with oversight activities conducted by Project Control.

Project Control unit is composed by one Senior Project Control Officer and one Assistant Project Control Officer based in Warsaw.

Poland Operation manages one cost centre only.

The Senior Project Control Officer also assumes the role of Risk focal point and maintains the risk register for the Operation, following up on implementation of risk treatments with the relevant colleagues.

The candidate should demonstrate strong coaching and training skills for newly recruited staff and Partners especially on UNHCR procedures and guidelines. S/he should be ready to travel on mission to all field locations to meet colleagues and partners.

Living and Working Conditions:

Warsaw is classified as H duty station. Access to accommodation, banking services, medical and educational facilities is adequate. Warsaw has an extensive, affordable public transport system, including buses, trams and metro. Most international food products can be found in Warsaw, and the city offers a good array of international dining options.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

BA: Accounting (Required), BA: Business Administration (Required), BA: Economics (Required), BA: Finance (Required), BA: Public Professions (Required)

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant – Other

Work Experience

Competencies

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

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Add.2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2022 – Part B

Functional clearance

This position requires Functional Clearance