Deadline for Applications

February 22,

Hardship Level

A (least hardship

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

Standard Job Description

Senior Programme Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Programme Assistant would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division. The incumbent may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/region programme(s). UNHCR Manual, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Senior Program Assistant.
S/he 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 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
- Provide administrative assistance and support in routine services and activities within Programme thus better able to meet the needs of persons of concern.
- 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.
- Provide support to ensure 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.
- Guided by the MFT approach, support the development and implementation of monitoring plans for activities implemented through partnerships and those under direct implementation in line with Programme Manual and programming 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.
- Assist in ensuring compliance with issuance of audit certificates for partners in line with the Policy on Risk-Based Project Audits.
- Use UNHCR's ERP system 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
G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

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

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
PG-Results-Based Management
DM-Database Management
PG-Programme Analysis
(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.

Desired Candidate Profile

Title of Position: Senior Programme Assistant
Position Number:
Category & Level: General Service, G5
UNHCR Guayaquil, Ecuador
Effective date: April 2026
Duration: Initially one year - Fixed Term Appointment
(upon medical clearance and references check)

OPERATIONAL CONTEXT:

Since 2000, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has worked in Ecuador to protect and assist one of the largest populations of recognized refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean. Ecuador is a destination and transit country for persons in need of international protection, with more than 70,000 recognized refugees (mainly Colombians) and an ongoing influx of refugees and migrants; for Venezuelan nationals who continue to suffer persecution and the consequences of the Humanitarian crisis in their country. About 475,000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants are estimated to be residing in Ecuador, with less than a third of them holding a legal status.

UNHCR's operation in Ecuador is fundamentally driven to deliver protection and solutions to a variety of people forced to flee and stateless people in partnership and close collaboration with national authorities as well as organizations and communities.

Since 2022 the increasing security setting in several locations in the Ecuadorian territory has had a significant impact on the economy, affecting refugees, migrants, and locals alike and mining the socio-economic inclusion strategy. This downturn deepened human rights gaps which will adversely affect refugees and migrants, the vast majority of whom work in the informal sector, lack a social safety net, and cannot cover their basic needs, such as rent and food and are prone to discriminatory attitudes. Since 2023 the acceleration of the violence and conflict in several parts of the country, due to increased criminal activities, has caused that for the first time, incidents of internal displacement and spontaneous relocation of nationals and others have been registered. An increased number of nationals have also been reported to exit the country as compared to previous years.

UNHCR seeks to recruit persons devoted to the purposes of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and holds functionally relevant work experience related to Programme Management. The Programme unit's mission is to ensure that the operation's programmatic responses are planned, implemented, monitored and reported according to the multiyear strategies and protection and solutions priorities in compliance with the organization's programmatic guidelines and instructions. Strategic planning capacity, budget management, monitoring and data management skills are essential to the position, as well as partnership management and coordination.

ELIGIBILITY

This vacancy is open to Internal candidates, former staff (FTA) and candidates with UNHCR experience, only. Candidates must be present in the country at the moment of selection.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

A. English is desirable (B2 level).
B. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to sit a technical test

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

Spanish

,

,

Desired languages

English

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Database Management, IT-Computer Literacy, PG-Programme Analysis, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PG-Results-Based Management

Education

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

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