Job Description

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12, 2026

D

Non Family with Residential Location

Dakar, Senegal

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Programme Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Programme Officer may be based in HQ, field/regional bureau, typically reporting to and be guided by the Senior Program officer and may supervise a small team of local and international staff. He/she may refer to UNHCR's Programme Manual (Chapter IV), UNHCR's corporate and regional strategic priorities, operation plans and other relevant institutional rules and regulations for further guidance.
The Programme Officer will provide programmatic guidance and support with regard to the implementation of protection and solutions strategies within available resources. S/he will coordinate with the other sections/units to ensure harmonized programmatic approaches at all levels and throughout the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle. S/he will work in line with the overall UNHCR directions which crucially require working with partners, including with forcibly displaced and stateless persons, governmental institutions and the private sector, ensuring that programme management is approached as per UNHCR's Strategic Directions, Global Strategic Priorities (GSPs), Global Compact for Refugees (GCR), corporate positions on SDGs.

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 in assessing and analysing the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless persons in a participatory manner, using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
- Provide support on programmatic aspects of developing multi-year protection and solutions strategies and annual plans with corresponding priorities taking into account corporate priorities.
- Support Results Based Management and programme capacity in light of evolving requirements, programming approaches and gaps.
- Support the planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and the planning instructions.
- Review and analyse plans, mid-year and year-end reports of UNHCR office(s), ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards.
- Support in the provision of overall direction to broaden partnerships with key stakeholders in order to maximize the protection and solutions response for forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
- Provide support to ensure a consistent application of the framework for implementing with partners, including the effective implementation of the policy on selection and retention of partners, management of partnership agreements, risk-based project performance monitoring, and risk-based project audits, among others.
- Contribute to ensure consistent and coherent monitoring approaches, tools and systems in line with global standards and polices.
- Actively contribute to UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contributing to improvements of programming tools and processes.
- Identify potential gaps and problems and in cooperation with other relevant sections recommend appropriate solutions to ensure the efficient implementation of programme activities.
- Oversee a timely and effective follow-up of internal and external audits observations and recommendations that relate to programmatic issues.

- 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 related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree.

Field(s) of Education
Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Programme Management

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Essential
Demonstrated experience in programme management including familiarization with the OMC and sound knowledge Results Based-Management. Demonstrated experience in field operations, sound knowledge on the centrality of protection in programming, Joint Needs Assessments and the principles of targeting.

Desirable
Demonstrated experience in coordination within an inter-agency context and other actors, in a refugee or humanitarian context. Sound experience in program management training and capacity building activities.

Functional Skills
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
PG-Results-Based Management
PG-UNHCR's Programmes
(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.

Essential Attributes:
The ideal candidate for the position of Programme Officer with UNHCR should possess:
• Solid experience in Programme management within a humanitarian setting, with a strong understanding of the centrality of protection in all interventions. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate proven knowledge of the Operations Management Cycle (OMC) and Results-Based Management (RBM), enabling effective contribution to planning, implementation, and monitoring of programs.
• The candidate should be able to support the development of multi-year protection and solutions strategies, as well as annual operational plans aligned with UNHCR’s global priorities, including the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), Global Strategic Priorities (GSPs), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Experience in conducting participatory needs assessments, applying Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) principles, is essential to ensure inclusive and responsive programming.
• The incumbent should also demonstrate strong experience in project monitoring and analysis, including the review of plans, mid-year and year-end reports, ensuring compliance with UNHCR policies, procedures, and standards.
• Sound knowledge of partnership management is required, including partner selection, performance monitoring, and agreement management, using a risk-based approach.
• Fluency in French is required, with French being the working language in Mali.

Desirable Attributes:
• Knowledge of local languages would be an added advantage
• The candidate must demonstrate excellent coordination and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively within a multi-functional team (MFT) approach and in an inter-agency environment. Prior experience in refugee or displacement contexts, particularly in the Sahel region, is considered a strong asset.
• In a demanding operational environment, the candidate should possess strong analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to identify Programme gaps, anticipate risks, and propose appropriate solutions. Experience in following up on audit recommendations and in capacity-building of partners and teams is highly desirable.
• Finally, the incumbent must embody UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity, and demonstrate a strong commitment to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, discrimination, and abuse of power.

French

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations

Security Considerations

On a 1 to 6 overall security level scale, Bamako is at 4 (substantial) while the central and northern parts of the country are at 5 (high). The capital city is at the same security level as the Southern regions which is higher than those of the Western regions. Notwithstanding Bamako 's security level, staff are discouraged from using accommodations that are not recommended by UNDSS or renting apartments in unrecommended suburbs. All accommodations need to be approved, and residential security measures (RSM) implemented.

The capital city 's security level 4 rating hides high levels of security threats related to terrorism, civil unrest and criminality. Past incidents and frequent security threats demonstrate that these threats remain a concern. Recent attacks at Kati military barrack (15 km from Bamako) by extremist combatants, reported presence of sleeping cells of terrorist groups in Bamako highlight the intention to harm within Bamako. Furthermore, with a long-lasting socio-political crisis, demonstrations are recurrent in Bamako and other urban locations and are set to take place very often. Up regions, road movements remain the main challenge to the access of POCs due to asymmetric warfare of extremist groups. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and highway banditry are frequent. UN humanitarian agencies enjoy the broad acceptance by communities through their leaders, but criminals and Non-State Actors are beyond the control of the community leadership. Al Qaeda affiliated groups are present in the center of Mali (Mopti and Tombuktu) while the Islamic State in the Great Sahara operates mostly around Gao and Menaka, yet their demarcation lines of influence overlap very often.

The UN staff remain potential targets of crime, armed assaults, and robberies. The crime threats exist both in Bamako and elsewhere in Mali and are becoming more and more violent. Road Traffic accidents also represent a substantial threat with scores of careless ridings of motorcyclists and driving irresponsibility.

For additional information on occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position

The Programme Officer position is based in Bamako, within UNHCR’s Representation in Mali, in a complex humanitarian and early recovery context characterized by a combined protracted security and socio-economic development crisis, particularly affecting the central, southern and northern regions of the country. This situation has resulted in significant internal displacement, alongside the presence of refugees and asylum-seekers, as well as ongoing voluntary return movements in certain areas.

Humanitarian and structural needs remain high, particularly in terms of protection, access to basic services, shelter, and livelihoods. Security constraints continue to limit humanitarian access in some making Programme planning and implementation particularly challenging. Vulnerable groups, including women, children, and persons with specific needs, require targeted and inclusive interventions.

In this context, the Programme Officer plays a key role in supporting the strategic and operational planning of UNHCR programs, ensuring coherence between protection and assistance interventions. The incumbent contributes to coordination with government authorities, humanitarian partners, and other United Nations agencies within the inter-agency coordination framework.

The role also involves supporting effective resource management, Programme performance monitoring, and strengthening accountability mechanisms. In a high-risk operational environment, the Programme Officer actively contributes to risk identification, analysis, and mitigation, while also identifying opportunities to enhance Programme impact.

The incumbent is expected to work within a multi-functional team approach, requiring strong collaboration across different units and a high degree of adaptability and flexibility in an evolving and sometimes volatile context.

Living and Working Conditions

The position is based in Bamako, a D non-family duty station with good accommodation, public facilities/services and availability of amenities. Road conditions are relatively good for convenient travel around the city. The Rest and Recuperation (R&R) cycle in Bamako is 8 weeks with Dakar as designated location.

Hot and dry weather conditions during the year. Most houses are equipped with a diesel or electrically operated heating system.

A UN Clinic, hospitals and private clinics are available.

Bamako is security level 3 or 4 and the rest of the country security level 4 or 5. Generally the likelihood of security incidents is high in related area in the country. Demonstrations are observed many times during the year.

Road traffic accidents remain a pertinent risk to staff. Vehicle travel is difficult at certain times due to high level of road traffic going to the downtown in the morning and travel back from the downtown in the evening.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance