Job Description

July 14, 2026

H (no hardship)

Family

GS7

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-09-01

Senior Programme Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Programme Associate would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division. The incumbent normally supervises some support staff. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/region programme(s). UNHCR Manual/Programme Chapter, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Senior Programme Associate. S/he is expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the region 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 is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Chapter, 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 in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
- Support Results Based management and programme capacity in light of evolving requirements, programming approaches and gaps.
- Participate in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities related to programme management.
- 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.
- Support 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.
- Review the implementation and performance of partnership agreements through field visits and appropriate physical monitoring if applicable, reviewing work plans, performance and financial reports.
- Support the planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and annual planning instructions.
- Contribute to the review and analysis of operations plans, mid-year and year-end reports, 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.
- Assist in negotiating and drafting partnership agreements, ensuring that all components are developed in conformity with UNHCR's financial rules and HQ instructions and guidance.
- Contribute to 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.
- Ensure compliance with issuance of audit certificates for partners in line with the Policy on Risk-Based Project Audits and follow up of internal and external audit recommendations related to 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.
- Actively contribute to 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 related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not specified

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Demonstrated experience in programme management, Operation Management Cycle and related processes. Knowledge and practical experience of Results Based-Management. Experience in programme management training and capacity building activities. Knowledge of MS office applications 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.

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.

The ideal candidate should have solid experience in programme management, project control, partnership management and resource management including providing operational support for implementation of planned activities. The candidate should be able to support the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of a large and diverse portfolio of innovation-funded projects implemented across multiple countries and operational contexts.

The successful candidate should have practical knowledge of Operation Management Cycle and Results-Based Management, including planning, budgeting, implementation monitoring, results tracking and reporting. Experience supporting annual planning exercises, budget revisions, prioritization processes and results framework alignment would be important for this role.

The position requires a candidate with strong financial and analytical skills, including the ability to track budgets, expenditures, donor contributions, earmarked funding, funding gaps, procurement processes, payment workflows. The candidate should be comfortable working with financial and programme data, preparing analysis for decision-making and ensuring accuracy, consistency and compliance with applicable rules and procedures.

Experience in partnership management is essential. The candidate should be able to support partner selection processes, due diligence, capacity assessments, partnership agreement development, review of work plans and financial reports, implementation monitoring, risk identification, financial verification and partner performance analysis. Familiarity with UNHCR partnership procedures, or comparable partnership frameworks in the humanitarian or development sector, would be an asset.

The candidate should be able to provide technical support and practical guidance to field operations on programme, partnership, resource management and implementation requirements. The role also requires strong coordination skills to work across programme lead focal points, regional bureaux, headquarter divisions, field operations and relevant multi-functional teams, including finance, supply and procurement, information and communications technology, human resources, administration and external relations, to support the timely and coherent implementation of joint activities. The role requires sound organizational awareness, attention to detail, discretion and the ability to follow up on multiple workstreams in a timely and structured manner.

The ideal candidate with experience in using or supporting programme, finance and reporting systems such as COMPASS, Cloud ERP, Aconex (PROMS_, Power BI or similar corporate platforms would be highly desirable. He/she should also be able to contribute to data collection, analysis, documentation and reporting for evidence-based planning and decision-making. The ideal candidate should be proficient in Microsoft Office, with advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables and data management.

Given the Innovation Section’s global portfolio and evolving work environment, the candidate should demonstrate adaptability, initiative, analytical thinking and a client- and results-oriented approach. The candidate should be able to work independently while contributing effectively to a team, manage competing priorities and maintain quality standards under deadlines.

Additional information:
Candidates are expected to have the right to work in Hungary. UNHCR does not facilitate the obtaining of the visa for recruitment.

Remuneration:
In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

Benefits:
Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 2.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 30 working days per year).
Pension system: Staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).
Health insurance plan: locally recruited staff members in Budapest will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP). The coverage is also optionally available for eligible family members.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

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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 Innovation Section within the Division of External Relations drives transformative solutions that improve the lives of forcibly displaced and stateless persons by identifying, testing and scaling innovative approaches across UNHCR operations. Through its three interconnected programmes (the Incubator, Accelerator and Learning Programme), the Section supports approximately 200 innovation projects each year in more than 70 duty stations. These projects are implemented through a broad network of UNHCR country operations, regional bureaux, Refugee-led organizations and external partners.

The Section manages a structured innovation pipeline, from early-stage idea generation and seed funding to the scaling of tested solutions through strategic partnerships, evidence generation and organizational learning. In doing so, it strengthens innovation capacity across UNHCR and promotes collaboration, stakeholder engagement and results-oriented approaches to maximize impact, sustainability and accountability.

The Senior Programme Associate position is based in Budapest, Hungary, and provides operational and programme support to the Innovation Section under the supervision of the Head of Section. The incumbent works closely with programme leads across the Section’s innovation portfolio and liaises with the DER Resource Management Unit, regional bureaux, country operations, headquarters entities and other internal and external stakeholders. The position supports effective planning, implementation, monitoring and compliance of innovation-funded projects across multiple operational contexts.

The operational environment requires strong programme management, financial tracking, partnership coordination and risk management capacity. The incumbent supports budgeting and resource allocation processes, monitors expenditures, contributes to procurement and payment tracking, and helps ensure compliance with UNHCR financial, programme and partnership management procedures. The role also supports partner selection, capacity assessments, partnership agreement management, financial verification exercises, audit follow-up and quality assurance processes.

The position further supports proposal development, donor reporting, including monitoring of donor contribution, funding gaps and progress of workflows for fundraising opportunities.

Living and Working Conditions:

The position is based in HQs in Budapest, which is the capital of Hungary, where adequate infrastructure, health, education, banking and recreational facilities are easily accessible. Budapest is H category Duty Station. There are no specific security concerns, notwithstanding incidental events. Personal security is generally not an issue. However, staff members should be cautious and take responsibility for their own personal and residential security.

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

Certifications

Competencies

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

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance