Job Description

Deadline for Applications

May 27, 2026

Hardship Level

E (most hardship)

Family Type

Non Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2026-06-15

Standard Job Description

Programme Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Programme Associate would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/region programme(s). UNHCR Manual, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Programme Associate. S/he is expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed by the operational context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.

The incumbent is expected to have contacts within the organization and outside the duty station, as well as with partners and other stakeholders to collect information, monitor programme activities and implement administrative requirements. The incumbent will have to establish good working relationships with their peers at country level to facilitate the collection of information and other programme management related activities.

The incumbent is 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.

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
- Support the assessment and analysis of the needs of persons of concern in the country/region in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
- Assist in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities related to programme management if applicable.
- Assist in organizing and documenting the selection of partners in accordance with the policy on selection and retention of partners, ensuring due diligence to meet the requirements of projects.
- Provide support to the field with technical advice to ensure partnership agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures included in the framework for implementing with partners.
- Support the implementation and performance of partnership agreements through field visits and appropriate physical monitoring if applicable, reviewing performance and financial reports.
- Support the development and implementation of MFT monitoring plans for activities implemented through partnerships and those under direct implementation in line with Programme Manual and programming instructions.
- Contribute to the review and analysis of operations plans, mid-year and year-end reports of the different UNHCR offices, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards. Generate and maintain records of implementation rate (performance progress and expenditures) on a regular basis.
- Follow up on any change in regards to alignment of results chain, verifying indicators, budget, prioritization, apportioning needed to measure programme performance, trends and target interventions, contributing to soundness of Operations Plan and enhancement of data quality.
- Follow up with UNHCR offices the compliance with issuance of audit certificates for partners in line with the Policy on Risk-Based Project Audits.
- Provide support to the field through technical advice and training on resource allocation processes and other programmatic issues.
- Use UNHCR's corporate tools (e.g. Focus Client, Global Focus Insight and FOCUS Reader, MSRP) for core activities related to planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting, generating data for evidence-based programmatic decisions and analysis.
- Support UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contributing to improvements of programming tools and processes.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
n/a

Certificates and/or Licenses
not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Demonstrated experience in programme management, Operation Management Cycle and related processes. Knowledge of Results Based-Management. Computer skills (in MS office) including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, data management, etc.)

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to function of the position including Programme Management Level 1. E-tutoring of PM1, Framework for Implementing with Partners Learning Programme. Experience in programme management training and capacity building activities.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
PG-Results-Based Management
DM-Database Management
PG-Programme Analysis
PG-Development and monitoring of programme assessments and surveys
(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

Essential relevant job experience: Demonstrated experience in programme management, and the Operation Management Cycle, including planning, partner selection, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and related processes. Knowledge of Results-Based Management. Computer skills (in MS Office), including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, data management, etc.). In addition to negotiation experience with partners, work experience in Northeast Syria, including camps and urban settlements.

Desirable relevant job experience: Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to the position's function, including Programme Management – Level 1. Framework for Implementing with Partners Learning Programme. Experience in programme management training and capacity building activities.

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

Arabic

,

English

,

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:

The Programme Associate will be working under the supervision of the Associate Programme Officer in Qamishli.

The incumbent is expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the region by the political context, the UN, and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.

The incumbent is expected to have contacts within the Organization and outside the duty station, as well as with partners and other stakeholders, to collect information, monitor programme activities, and implement administrative requirements

Living and Working Conditions:

Sub-Office Qamishli (SOQ) in the North East of Syria (NES) is operating in a highly complex context in three governorates Hassakeh, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. Large part of them are currently under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). UNHCR is coordinating the response in 6 camps hosting Syrians, Iraqis and third country nationals. The largest of the camps, Al Hol expanded significantly in the first months of 2019 to accommodate civilians transported from the last ISIS-held territory in Syria as it came under the control of SDF supported by international coalition forces (ICF). The camp presents complex protection and assistance-delivery challenge due to the complex profile of its population. UNHCR is directly responsible to provide NFIs and shelter assistance, ensure that new arrivals in camps are identified and assisted, as wells as departures registered. UNHCR also supports camp coordination and the delivery of humanitarian assistance in close coordination with other UN agencies and NGOs operating in NES. Outside the camps UNHCR is providing assistance to IDPs and Iraqi asylum-seekers living among the local communities and in informal settlements.

The present situation in the North East Syria is unstable. This creates ongoing pressures at work and in daily life as priorities are frequently upended for other urgent ad hoc tasks. The incumbent should be prepared to work under very challenging conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. Travel by air to and from Qamishli is complicated, particularly at the time of COVID-19 pandemic. The candidates from other governorates would face challenges with the relocation to Qamishli due to inadequate opportunities obtaining living quarters, and frequent family visits might be complicated.

Given the nature of the operation in the North-East of Syria, the incumbent may face multiple challenges, including sensitive relationship with the authorities and partners; a challenging security situation; few independent or objective sources of information; and an overriding need to be perceived as impartial in all matters. Well-rounded and experienced humanitarian profiles are therefore critical. Prior experience with both IDP and returnee operations will be a strong asset in addition to working with urban caseloads. The incumbent must have good interpersonal skills.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Data Management, IT-Computer Literacy, PG-Development and monitoring of programme assessments and surveys, PG-Programme Analysis, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), Results-Based Management (RBM)

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Programme/Planning

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance