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

C

Family

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Project Control Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Project Control Officer is part of the multi-functional team. In coordination with Division of Resource Management (DRM), 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 most efficiently and effectively to attain the best results for forcibly displaced and stateless persons.

The 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, Head of Office or Senior Project Control Officer, 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 the annual assessment and planning cycle.

• Participate in 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 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.

• Pursue high-quality partnerships and integrity culture in UNHCR, among partners and UNHCR’s contractors to mitigate misuse and wastage of resources, fraud and corruption, sexual abuse and exploitation, and other forms of misconduct; including recommendations to put in place safeguarding mechanisms 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, evaluation, 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 related to partnership management 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’s 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.

• 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.

• 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 related to financial management as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

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

Accounting Business Administration Economics

Finance Public Administration Management or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified.

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

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 the 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-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

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Technological Awareness

Planning and Organizing

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
• Extensive experience in project control, risk management, compliance and fiduciary oversight within large and complex humanitarian operations.
• Strong knowledge of project management and internal control frameworks, including financial oversight, implementing partnership management, audit coordination and risk-based monitoring.
• Proven experience in data analysis and reporting, including the use of analytical tools to support operational oversight and evidence-based decision-making.
• Proven experience in cross-functional coordination with Programme, Supply, Finance, Administration, CBI, Risk Management, field operations and implementing partners.
• Demonstrated experience operating in emergency, high-risk or insecure environments, including field-based operations.
• Proficiency in French language

Desirable Attributes
• Experience in emergency or high-risk environments with large-scale operations involving multiple partners and direct implementation modalities.
• Experience supporting or leading internal and external audit processes (including OIOS and donor audits).
• Familiarity with UNHCR systems and tools (e.g. PROMS, Cloud ERP, COMPASS, Power BI) and related financial and supply chain processes.
• Experience engaging with national authorities, implementing partners and local institutions in complex operational contexts.

French

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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 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hosts one of the largest and most complex displacement situations globally and remains among UNHCR’s largest operations in Africa. The country continues to face overlapping humanitarian crises driven by protracted conflict, armed group activity, intercommunal violence, disease outbreaks, natural disasters and chronic development challenges. These dynamics continue to generate large-scale internal displacement while simultaneously affecting refugee-hosting and return environments.

As of early 2026, the DRC hosts approximately 6.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), alongside over 600,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from neighboring countries, as well as returning Congolese populations. Population movements remain highly fluid, particularly in Eastern DRC where deteriorating security conditions linked to AFC/M23 dynamics and the activities of multiple armed groups continue to generate new displacement and humanitarian needs. At the same time, the operation supports refugee populations and solutions-oriented programming in western regions while managing increasing expectations related to durable solutions and Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus approaches.

The demographic profile of the population of concern remains overwhelmingly young. Approximately 58.5% of IDPs are under the age of 18, while women and girls constitute slightly more than half of most population groups. Large birth cohorts among refugee and displaced communities are expected to continue, with important implications for future operational planning. These demographic trends are likely to generate increasing demand for secondary and tertiary education, adolescent and youth protection programming, livelihoods and skills development initiatives, GBV prevention and response services, disability-inclusive interventions and support mechanisms for older persons.

Socio-economic profiles among populations of concern remain diverse but are largely concentrated in smallholder agriculture, petty trade, construction, food processing, technical services, transport, ICT, health and education-related professions. While tertiary-educated refugees constitute a relatively small proportion of the overall population, they represent an important group with significant potential to contribute to local integration, livelihoods programming and broader socio-economic inclusion efforts.

The operation also continues to engage with populations at risk of statelessness, particularly among minority and cross-border communities with limited access to civil registration and documentation systems. These include children born in exile, returnees with uncertain nationality status and long-term refugee descendants facing documentation and nationality challenges. Addressing legal identity and civil documentation gaps remains an important protection priority.

The DRC operation currently maintains a presence across multiple locations including Kinshasa, Goma, Gbadolite, Bunia, Bukavu, Kalemie and several Field Units. The Project Control Officer position is based in Kinshasa, which serves as the Representation Office and strategic coordination hub for the operation. Kinshasa is a large and dynamic metropolitan city with comparatively good access to international transport, telecommunications, healthcare and educational facilities relative to other locations in the country. International schools, private health facilities and commercial services are available. However, living costs in Kinshasa remain comparatively high and can be significant for internationally recruited personnel, particularly with respect to accommodation, transportation, schooling and imported goods. Traffic congestion is considerable, infrastructure challenges persist and periodic disruptions to utilities may occur. While security conditions in Kinshasa are generally more stable than in eastern parts of the country, staff are required to maintain heightened security awareness and comply with applicable security protocols.

Within this complex environment, the DRC operation continues to function under significant resource constraints following major restructuring and staffing reductions. The Project Control Officer therefore operates in a high-risk and highly demanding context requiring strong adaptability, resilience, sound judgement and the capacity to manage competing priorities while ensuring robust oversight, accountability and operational integrity.

The DRC operation represents one of UNHCR’s largest and most complex operations globally, operating within a highly volatile environment characterized by large-scale displacement, recurrent humanitarian emergencies, deteriorating security conditions, and significant funding constraints.

The operation currently supports refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons and other populations of concern across a geographically dispersed structure comprising one Representation Office, two Sub-Offices, two Field Offices and five Field Units. Recent organizational restructuring and resource rationalization efforts have significantly reduced staffing capacities while increasing reliance on direct implementation modalities and complex implementing partner arrangements. Against this backdrop, ensuring strong oversight, accountability and risk management remains critical.

The Project Control Officer plays a central role in strengthening internal controls, ensuring fiduciary oversight and supporting the effective implementation of programmes across the operation. The incumbent will lead project control functions and serve as the primary focal point for internal and external audit engagements, including OIOS reviews, donor audits and compliance exercises. S/he may also be required to assume risk management responsibilities and should therefore demonstrate a sound understanding of risk management frameworks as well as administrative and financial procedures underpinning project management and internal control systems.

The incumbent will support oversight of both direct implementation and implementing partner activities and contribute to strengthening risk-based monitoring systems in an environment characterized by elevated fraud, procurement and compliance risks. The position requires strong analytical capacity and practical experience in leveraging Power BI and other data tools to provide timely, evidence-based support to programme management and operational decision-making.

The position requires close collaboration with Programme, Supply, Finance, Administration, CBI and field teams to ensure timely project implementation, disbursement management, retention monitoring and financial closure processes. The incumbent will also support financial oversight of Cash-Based Interventions, including review of payment transactions, reconciliation exercises and clearance of outstanding expenditure items.

The Project Control Officer will contribute substantially to strengthening the capacity of implementing partners and UNHCR personnel in areas including PROMS, Cloud ERP (Finance and Supply modules), risk management, financial controls and project management processes. The position requires regular field missions, including travel to remote and security-constrained locations. Consequently, the position requires strong resilience, sound judgement, security awareness and the ability to operate effectively under pressure and adapt rapidly to evolving operational environments.

Given the scale, complexity and operational pressures facing the DRC operation, the position requires a proactive, solutions-oriented and highly collaborative individual capable of managing multiple competing priorities while maintaining high standards of accountability, integrity and operational excellence.

The DRC operation represents one of UNHCR’s largest and most complex operations globally, operating within a highly volatile environment characterized by large-scale displacement, recurrent humanitarian emergencies, deteriorating security conditions, and significant funding constraints.

The operation currently supports refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons and other populations of concern across a geographically dispersed structure comprising one Representation Office, two Sub-Offices, two Field Offices and five Field Units. Recent organizational restructuring and resource rationalization efforts have significantly reduced staffing capacities while increasing reliance on direct implementation modalities and complex implementing partner arrangements. Against this backdrop, ensuring strong oversight, accountability and risk management remains critical.

The Project Control Officer plays a central role in strengthening internal controls, ensuring fiduciary oversight and supporting the effective implementation of programmes across the operation. The incumbent will lead project control functions and serve as the primary focal point for internal and external audit engagements, including OIOS reviews, donor audits and compliance exercises. S/he may also be required to assume risk management responsibilities and should therefore demonstrate a sound understanding of risk management frameworks as well as administrative and financial procedures underpinning project management and internal control systems.

The incumbent will support oversight of both direct implementation and implementing partner activities and contribute to strengthening risk-based monitoring systems in an environment characterized by elevated fraud, procurement and compliance risks. S/he will be expected to demonstrate strong analytical capacity and practical experience in leveraging Power BI and other data tools to provide timely, evidence-based support to programme management and operational decision-making.

The position requires close collaboration with Programme, Supply, Finance, Administration, CBI and field teams to ensure timely project implementation, disbursement management, retention monitoring and financial closure processes. The incumbent will also support financial oversight of Cash-Based Interventions, including review of payment transactions, reconciliation exercises and clearance of outstanding expenditure items.

The Project Control Officer will contribute substantially to strengthening the capacity of implementing partners and UNHCR personnel in areas including PROMS, Cloud ERP (Finance and Supply modules), risk management, financial controls and project management processes. The position requires regular field missions, including travel to remote and security-constrained locations. Consequently, the incumbent should demonstrate strong resilience, sound judgement, security awareness and the ability to operate effectively under pressure and adapt rapidly to evolving operational environments.

Given the scale, complexity and operational pressures facing the DRC operation, the position requires a proactive, solutions-oriented and highly collaborative individual capable of managing multiple competing priorities while maintaining high standards of accountability, integrity and operational excellence.

Living and Working Conditions:

Kinshasa serves as the Representation Office and strategic coordination hub for the DRC operation. As the capital city, Kinshasa offers comparatively better infrastructure and services than many other locations within the country. International schools, private healthcare facilities, banking services and telecommunications infrastructure are available.

Accommodation in Kinshasa remains expensive and represents a significant cost for internationally recruited staff. While supermarkets and commercial services are available, many imported goods remain costly. Local markets provide more affordable alternatives for food and household goods.

The local currency is the Congolese Franc, although the US Dollar remains widely used throughout the country. Banking facilities are available in Kinshasa and major urban centres; however, access to banking services may be significantly more limited in remote field locations where cash transactions remain common.

Traffic congestion in Kinshasa is significant and can considerably affect mobility. Road traffic accidents represent one of the most frequent security incidents affecting UN personnel. While Kinshasa remains relatively stable compared to eastern parts of the country, criminality—including theft, robberies and occasional civil unrest—remains a concern. Staff are expected to comply fully with security procedures and maintain heightened situational awareness.

The position also requires regular travel to field locations where living and working conditions may be considerably more difficult and where access to basic infrastructure and services may be limited.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Accounting, Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Finance, Bachelor of Arts: Management, Bachelor of Arts: Public Administration

Certifications

Competencies

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

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

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance