Job Openings at UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Vacancy Notice No.: IVN/EVN/KEN/NBI/18/012

Category / Grade

NOC

Post Number

10018267

Reporting Date

1 Jan 2019

Type of Contract

Fixed Term Appointment

(Initial contract - 1 year)

Date of Issue

26^th September 2018

Location

Branch Office Nairobi

Closing Date

10^th October 2018

Define the role of the position within the team, describing its leadership role, if any, it’s external/internal work relationships or contacts, the contextual environment in which it operates and the scope of supervision received, and where applicable, exercised by the incumbent.*

The primary functions of project control are to complement programme management and provide oversight of projects including the formulation of performance monitoring plans for PPAs and direct implementation, quality assurance, and verification, and ensuring compliance with UNHCR programme and financial rules, policies and procedures. Other activities of project control include: Participation and provision of input to the Country Operations Plan, review and quality assurance of project agreements, project audit, monitoring, while ensuring that there is synchrony between financial and operational performance, participation in multi-functional monitoring activities and reviews, capacity building of partners, tracking and management of project risks, supporting project closure, and timely implementation of audit recommendations. The position is the most senior Project Control position in the Branch Office and requires considerable level of both programme and finance understanding, besides project control expertise. The incumbent will supervise national staff in the Project Control unit at the Branch Office. Good managerial skills are therefore required, besides excellent organisational skills as the incumbent will be coordinating verification of projects from all parts of the operation and calling upon support from the sub-offices. The incumbent will work very closely with the Senior Oversight Officer and the Director of Risk Management in Nairobi to ensure that risk based approach is integrated in the project management and monitoring plans.

The Project Control Officer will mainly interact with the project and finance managers of partner agencies. S/he will play a very important role in maintaining effective partnerships, while ensuring integrity and full accountability our UNHCR programmes and requisite implementation arrangements.

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

• Quality assurance of project agreements is provided in accordance with applicable UNHCR rules and regulations.
• A project monitoring plan is in place and implemented in collaboration with multifunctional teams (MFT).
• Assurance of project implementation and delivery of expected results within budget/resources, timeframe, and in accordance with project agreements is provided.
• Resources transferred to implementing partners are utilized for the intended purposes and in accordance with project agreements.
• Performance delivery and financial expenditure reported by implementing partners are accurate and consistent.
• Sufficient and adequate internal controls are in place for the management of projects and activities.
• Programme and senior management are promptly informed of major variances and risks in the execution of projects (budgets, finance, implementation or timeframe). Project audit certificates are of good quality, timely obtained, and recommendations are implemented.

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)

• Participate in the operation’s annual assessment and planning cycle.
• Support the selection and retention processes of implementing partners in accordance with UNHCR’s rules, policies and procedures.
• Review that project agreements are in conformity with Country Operation Plans and UNHCR’s rules, policies and procedures.
• Formulate and implement a project monitoring plan in collaboration with the programme unit and MFT.
• Track the management of project risks in collaboration with the programme unit, and report major risks to senior management.
• Review, analyze and verify Financial and Performance Implementing Partner Reports (Part I-IPFR and Part II-IPR), and check accuracy and consistency between IPFR and IPR, in accordance with project 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 implementing 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.
• Inform management of cases where UNHCR may not adhere to its obligations under project agreements.
• Manage the selection and engagement process of audit providers for projects, and the execution of the audits, including obtaining reports, reviewing outcomes and following-up with recommendations.
• Carry out timely project closure in coordination with the programme unit.
• Participate in country-level programme training for implementing partners and UNHCR staff as necessary, as well as brief staff and implementing partners on project control and risk management.
• Provide input to the mid- and end-year programme review process on issues related to project control and risk management.
• Maintain professional relationships with implementing partners.
• Keep up-to-date with all UNHCR rules, regulations and procedures necessary to perform these duties.
• Perform other duties as required.

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

• Report on financial and operational performance and risks related to projects, and escalate issues to senior management.
• Recommend acceptance or non-acceptance of IPRs and payment of instalments.
• Advise on improvements related to project management and internal controls.
• Contact implementing partners for project related matters.
• Have unlimited access to financial and operational records relating to projects.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Define the educational background, the relevant job experience and the language(s) that are essential to perform the work of the position.

• Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Accounting, Finance, Public or Business Administration, Economics or related field, OR undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in another field combined with a professional qualification in accounting, auditing or finance (CPA/CIA or equivalent).
• Minimum 6 years of previous job experience in the field of accounting/finance, project management, business analysis, quality assurance and/or risk management, of which at least 2 years in an intergovernmental organization (United Nations or similar).
• Excellent knowledge of international auditing standards, with a minimum of two years of practical experience in auditing.
• Good understanding of project and resource management.
• Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.
• (In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of working language of duty station and working knowledge of English.)

For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.*

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES. *Describe any experience or knowledge that would be an asset, such as: UNHCR Learning Programmes, other training, additional languages, Field/HQs experience, etc**.*

• Professional qualification in accounting, auditing or finance (CPA/CIA or equivalent).
• Project management accreditation highly desirable.
• Risk management certification.
• Good knowledge of UNHCR systems (such as Focus and MSRP).
• Excellent knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures.
• Good understanding of the workflows of major Entreprise Resource Planning financial modules (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle).
• Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS).
• Knowledge of additional UN languages

Managerial Competencies

• Empowering and Building Trust
• Managing Performance
• Judgement and Decision Making Managing Resources
• Relevant cross function competencies as selected by the position manager will apply.

Cross – Functional Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Technological Awareness Planning & Organizing

go to method of application »

Internal/External Vacancy Notice No.: LICA/KEN/KAK/18/005

Category /Grade

LICA-8

Duration

Initially up to 31 December 2018

Reporting Date

1 November 2018

Type of Contract

Local ICA

Date of Issue

26 September 2018

Location

Sub Office Kakuma

Closing Date

03 October 2018

General Background and Context

UNHCR Kakuma Education Programme have rapidly expanded in the past years with school enrolments across all the levels increasing and the operation currently having 16 pre-schools, 26 primary schools and 6 secondary schools with a student population of nearly 80,000 children. In addition to Kakuma camp, UNHCR coordinates education provision in the newly established Kalobeyei settlement that hosts 38,000 refugees. Management of such an expansive and complex education programme requires additional staffing to support the Associate Education Officer in the planning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the education support to refugees and to ensure alignment with the national education system. In addition to this, there are number of ongoing education initiatives such as the deployment of Kakuma Education Management Information System (KEMIS) to improve availability of accurate and credible education data for planning and this requires dedicated staffing for successful deployment. It is against this background that this position is requested.

In response, Vodafone Foundation (VF) and UNHCR have worked together on the Instant Network Schools (INS) Programme to address learning resource needs. In collaboration with Vodafone Foundation and refugee communities, UNHCR has developed and adapted the INS to meet context-specific challenges. Instant Network Schools provide a holistic solution to transform an existing classroom into an innovation hub for learning – complete with a local network; internet connectivity; sustainable solar power; a classroom kit, localized digital content; and a robust teacher training programme. INS aims to improve access to quality education for displaced children in refugee camps, through the use of technology and connectivity, alongside teacher training and capacity building support.

The INS is now implemented across 6 locations in Kakuma ((3 secondary schools, 1 primary, 1 community centre and 1 teacher training centre). Each INS is run by a local coach who provides in-service training and support for learners and teachers. Daily logs of INS use are also recorded and uploaded to a global platform; which helps to track utilization, flag challenges, and identify areas for re-design or capacity building.

The Assistant Instant Network School (INS) Officer is a member of the protection team and reports to the Associate Education Officer with support supervision from the Senior Protection Coordinator. It is responsible for the day-to-day implementation and monitoring of the Instant Network Schools programme in Kakuma. Working closely with the Coaches who are hired by implementing partners to run the Instant Network Classrooms on a daily basis in each school, the Programme Manager is responsible for the effective and efficient management and implementation of all activities within the Instant Network Programme in Kakuma.

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

• INS activities are guided by global, regional and country priorities and reflect UNHCR's policy on age, gender and diversity (AGD)
• Participation of persons of concern is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community based approaches
• Persons of concern are treated with dignity and respect and all protection incidents are immediately identified and addressed.

Responsibility (processes and functions undertaken to achieve results)

• Support to programme set-up and consolidation: Provide programmatic and operational support to the setup and consolidation of the INS locations in schools and community hubs across Kakuma Camps
• Programme Management: Responsible for supporting the implementation of the INS programme in accordance with approved time schedules, budgets and both UNHCR and Vodafone Foundation guidelines and procedures. Support UNHCR and VF team with the strategy, project planning, and identifying mobile technology based solutions for the specific education needs in the location.
• Monitoring & Evaluation: Support Coaches and partners in monitoring the programme, including support in the effective use of online tools for data collection and analysis on INS programme usage
• Resource Planning & Management: Support the work of the Coaches in the schools and ensure effective and optimal deployment and use of INS platforms and tools.
• Training and Support: Provide on-the-job training, and facilitate training by others, to Coaches, partners and other stakeholders in using educational technology, ICT maintenance and other relevant areas.
• Train Coaches in use and basic maintenance of the equipment, use of content, integrating technology into lesson planning and delivery

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

• Implement INS activities as required
• Issue documents and reports for clearance by the Education or Protection and/or Senior Protection Officer
• Provide advice on INS implementation

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in ICT
• A background in education and knowledge of educational technology will be an advantage
• 3 years of proven experience with various distributed ICT Systems and Networks, preferably in a development setting
• Experience working in harsh environments with low bandwidth field technologies.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of Swahili and Local Turkana language will be an added asset
• Desirable Qualifications & Competencies
• Excellent team work and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in facilitation and delivering trainings.
• Demonstrated experience conducting data collection for monitoring and reporting
• Solid writing skills and an understanding of project management cycle and programme management in complex emergencies
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong computer literacy.
• Must be able to multi-task effectively and balance competing priorities, reporting lines and deadlines.
• Advanced interpersonal skills he/she must be able to relate well with others, dictate responsibilities, offer support and constructive feedback.
• Must have excellent problem-solving skills. He/She must be able to adeptly and quickly solve problems as they come up.

Competencies:-

Values

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect For Diversity Core Competencies

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Team Work & Collaboration
• Communication
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client & Results Orientation
• Organizational Awareness

Candidates may also be tested on relevant managerial and cross function competencies. Examples are listed below:-

Managerial Competencies

• Empowering & Building Trust
• Managing Performance
• Judgement & Decision Making
• Strategic Planning & Vision
• Leadership
• Managing Resources

Cross – Functional Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Innovation & Creativity
• Technological Awareness
• Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
• Planning & Organizing
• Policy Research & Development
• Political Awareness
• Stakeholder Management Change Capability & Adaptability