Senior Project Control Associate

VACANCY NOTICE
UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES

Position Title: Senior Project Control Associate Date of Issue: 27 December 2024
Position Level: GS 7 Closing Date: 15 January 2025
Expected start date: 01 March 2025 Duty Station: New Delhi, India
Contract Type: Fixed Term Appointment

Interested applicants are requested to apply through UNHCR Workday portal (JR2447098) not later before 15 January 2025.

Organizational Setting

The primary functions of project control are to complement programme management and provide support for oversight of projects including the formulation of a monitoring plan, quality assurance, and verification. Other activities of project control include: review of project agreements, project audit, monitoring that there is synchrony between financial and operational performance, participation in multi-functional monitoring activities and reviews, tracking project risk management, and supporting project closure.

It is essential to maintain segregation of duties between project control and programme functions for effective accountability and oversight. Where there is no Project Control Officer, General Service staff performing project control functions should report directly to the Head of Office.

The Senior Project Control Associate receives general guidance and work plans from the supervisor. They work independently on regular assignments under the supervision of the Project Control Officer or to the same management level as programme. The incumbent normally supervises other general service staff.

Project Control staff play a very important role in maintaining harmonious and effective partnerships, and often interact with implementing partners. As a result, incumbents need to be very mindful of all dimensions of partnerships in their interaction with partners (in accordance with the Principles of Partnership, the Code of Conduct and other relevant documents).

Operational context

India currently hosts some 269,000 refugees and asylum seekers. These include some 91,000 Sri Lankan refugees and 73,400 Tibetans directly assisted by the Government of India. There are as well 46,904 individuals registered under UNHCRs mandate primarily from Afghanistan, Myanmar, and other countries. UNHCR works with the Government of India to offer protection and find solutions for registered refugees and asylum seekers. UNHCRs main activities in India are focused on conducting registration and documentation, status determination, legal assistance, and the search for durable solutions for refugees. With refugees and asylum seekers spread across 13 different locations across the country, UNHCR relies on its 9 NGO partners for support. It funds activities that complement or facilitate access to essential services and assist the most vulnerable people with humanitarian assistance. UNHCR also works with various partners and key stakeholders to strengthen self-reliance and advocate for greater inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). UNHCRs office is in New Delhi and has a Field Office in Chennai, Tamil Nadu State.

Duties

- Contribute to reviewing the internal control systems of implementing partners.
- Contribute to reviewing that IP agreements are in conformity with Country Operation Plans and UNHCR's rules, policies and procedures.
- Monitor that a complete record is maintained for all projects.
- Contribute to reviewing, analyzing and verifying Financial and Performance Implementing Partner Reports (Part I-IPFR and Part II-IPR), and to checking accuracy and consistency between IPFR and IPR, in accordance with project agreements.
- Ensure that the funds obligated under an IP agreement permit the payment of the next installment or a disbursement, confirming the status of installments already paid.
- Support timely project closure in coordination with the programme unit.
- Contribute to tracking the management of project risks in collaboration with the programme unit, and report major risks to senior management.
- Monitor, track and verify that expenditure for direct implementation by UNHCR is in line with the approved budget.
- Bring to the attention of supervisors and programme officers any significant variances at the office level in: budget execution, percentage of project execution, time schedule, and quality of projects against specifications or terms and conditions.
- Maintain professional relationships with implementing partners.
- Keep up-to-date with all UNHCR rules, regulations and procedures necessary to perform these duties.
- Recommend acceptance or non-acceptance of IPRs and payment of instalments.
- Advise on improvements related to project management and internal controls.
- Contact implementing partners for project related matters.
- 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.

Desired candidate profile

The Snr. Project Control Associate reports to the Chief of Mission and will be supporting UNHCR on risk management. The primary functions of the position are to complement programme management and provide support for oversight of projects including the formulation of a monitoring plan, quality assurance, and verification. Other activities of project control include the review of partnership agreements, project financial audit, monitoring that there is synchrony between financial and operational performance, participation in multi-functional monitoring activities and reviews, tracking project risk management, and supporting project closure.

The candidate should be able to guide and train partners and UNHCR staff, on UNHCR financial management, programme, supply, and other procedural controls. Qualified auditor experience in development sector, experience in grants management and compliance, experience or knowledge of programme management, certificate in project management etc are desirable. Since the incumbent will also be UNHCRs Enterprise Risk Management focal point, experience on risk management would be an advantage.

This is a General Service position and is open only to Indian nationals.

Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. We work with skilled professionals who are committed to put people first and make a real difference to people’s lives.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted, and they may be required to undergo a written test and/or an interview. The selected candidate will work either from the UNHCR Office or other UNHCR partner locations in New Delhi, India.

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

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications. Excellent communication skills.

Desirable

Good knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures. Good understanding of accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). Working experience with ERP financial modules (such as PeopleSoft, Oracle or SAP).

Functional Skills

Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
Financial auditing
Computer Literacy
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Functional Knowledge
Risk Management
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

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.

Yearly net remuneration for this position is starting at INR 2,039,124 (gross).

1