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

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-28

Senior Programme Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Programme Officer may be based in HQ, field/regional bureau, typically reporting to and be guided by the Chief of Section/Deputy Director/Operations Manager 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 Senior Programme Officer will provide strategic programmatic guidance and advice to senior management with regard to the implementation of country or Bureau level protection and solutions strategies within available resources. S/he will coordinate with the other sections/units within the Bureau and/or office(s) across the country/region 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
- Oversee a coherent approach 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 guidance to office(s) 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.
- Ensure effective and results-based resource allocation in the planning processes and cost efficiency in the delivery of outputs.
- 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 the provision overall direction to broaden partnerships with key stakeholders in order to maximize the protection and solutions response for forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
- Guide and provide directions to office(s) in operationalising new and emerging policies, strategies and partnerships, including in an inter-agency context, identifying opportunities and innovative solutions and ensuring compliance with existing standards.
- Guide office(s) in managing a consultative process 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.
- 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
- Develop comprehensive assistance programmes that compliment activities implemented from other operational partners.
- Oversee a timely and effective follow-up of internal and external audits observations and recommendations that relate to programmatic issues.

- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Business Administration, Social Science, Economics,

International Relations or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Programme Management
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Demonstrated experience in developing and managing humanitarian projects and programmes including the allocation and management of resources. Sound knowledge of the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle Knowledge and practical experience on Results Based-Management. Demonstrated experience in field operations. Sound knowledge on the centrality of protection in programming. Enhanced knowledge on 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. Solid experience in training and capacity building activities.

Functional Skills
PG-Resource planning
PG-Needs Assessment and Response Analysis
PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate)
PG-UNHCR's Programmes
PG-Results-Based 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.

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:
•  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.
•  Experience 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).
• Proven capacity to oversee Supply Management, Field Operations and Management, WASH, Education, Health, CBI, Shelter & Site Planning and Livelihoods.
•  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 for Burundi.

Desirable Attributes:
•  The candidate must demonstrate excellent coordination and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead effectively a multi-functional team (MFT) approach optimal operational delivery in an inter-agency environment.
•  In a demanding operational environment, the candidate should possess strong analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to identify Programme and operational gaps, while anticipating risks to achieving agreed objectives in order to propose appropriate solutions. Experience in following up on audit recommendations and in capacity-building of partners and teams is highly desirable.
•  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.

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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:

UNHCR Burundi has evolved in the past year into a complex and highly dynamic operation with two simultaneous emergencies: a Congolese refugee influx in December 2025 and returns from Tanzania since January 2026. The incumbent will report directly to the Representative and coordinate technical operations functions in the country. The incumbent will oversee Programme, CBI, Supply, Education, Health, WASH, and Livelihoods, as well as the focal point for audits. In addition, the incumbent is expected to coordinate with all heads of offices in the field. The current operational budget is approximately US$ 27 million, with project management of 14 funded Implementing Partners and coordination of many more unfunded Operational Partners, as well as some other stakeholders, including international financial institutions and the Government of Burundi at the national and provincial levels.

The work is focused on the transition of the operation towards inclusion in host community projects such as the World Bank’s Merankabandi II (Cash for Jobs Project). As a country implementing the Global Compact on Refugees, the operation focuses on the ambitious agenda by the government of inclusion of refugees in basic services, starting with health and education. This, while managing significant new influxes mainly from DRC as a result of the recent conflict, in a challenging financial environment requiring a rethinking of the operational set-up, focusing on the sustainability of interventions.

Living and Working Conditions:

There are minimal security concerns in Bujumbura. It is designated as a family duty station even though there are challenges with international standards medical facilities,shopping outlets, recreational facilities, schools and hotels. There has been a fuel supply crisis in the country for some years.

Nice and affordable housing is available, but banking facilities are limited. There are also some challenges for telecommunications services, such as internet, telephone SIM cards, mobile money etc. Malaria and cholera risks exists in the country.

Security Considerations

Politically instigated demonstrations and riots may occur. The crime threat level in Bujumbura is moderate and physical violence is not common. The terrorism threat level in Bujumbura is relatively low. Nevertheless a high sense of vigilance and alertness is required at all times.

The incumbent will undertake frequent travels to the field where different security conditions prevail.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Certifications

Programme Management - Other

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees

Competencies

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