Job Description

Deadline for Applications

September 7, 2026

Hardship Level

E (most hardship)

Family Type

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2026-09-07

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

Desired Candidate Profile: Programme Associate

The incumbent should have experience in humanitarian Programming, project planning, implementation, monitoring. Should work be a team player able to work in a dynamic environment with a wide range of professionals, including multi-functional teams, and sector experts, partners, and forcibly displaced persons to ensure that UNHCR goals, and objectives are achieved.

The incumbent should be able to communicate with external stakeholders, partners, and forcibly displaced persons (FDPs), to provide information, and feedback on Programme delivery. She/he should be able to facilitate participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of Programme management cycle. The incumbent should be agile in preparing and organizing program materials, tracking, coordinating meetings and events, managing Programme unit documentation, budgeting, conducting assessments responding to inquiries, monitoring progress and performance, resolving issues and challenges, and providing administrative and logistical support to facilitate efficient and effective functioning of the Programme unit.

The desired candidate should be in possession of a university degree from a recognized university in economics, commerce, social sciences, education, and business administration. The incumbent should possess excellent interpersonal skill with the ability to engage with wide range of stake holders including Government officials, partners, and local communities. Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills, including written and verbal proficiency in English. He/she is expected to support and provide technical support to UNHCR funded partners in all aspects relating to project implementation. Proven organizational abilities, time management skills, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced and diverse environment.

Essential Requirement :

• Knowledge of partnership management and budget analysis
• Knowledge of multi-year planning process.
• Computer knowledge especially in excel and data analyzing is an advantage.
• Coordination skills.
• Reading and writing in English is a key advantage for the position.
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful conditions and meet short deadlines.
• Excellent report writing and analysis skills in both narrative and financial form.
• Excellent presentation skills
• Knowledge and experience in results-based program management approaches in UNHCR/UN and NGO project implementation in IDP and refugee settings.
• Knowledge of UNHCR working software including PROMS, Cloud ERP, Workday and COMPASS for processing budget and agreement preparation and managements as well as generating reports would be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of UN/UNHCR financial rules and policies would be an added advantage.

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

Desired languages

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

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

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance