Project Control Associate

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2024-01-01

Job Posting End Date

December 27, 2023

Standard Job Description

Project Control Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

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 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 may supervise 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).

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

• 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, analysing 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 instalment or a disbursement, confirming the status of instalments already paid.
• Support timely project closure in coordination with the programme unit.
• 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.
• Escalate IP issues to supervisors.
• Recommend acceptance or non-acceptance of IPRs and payment of installments.
• Contact implementing partners for project-related matters.
• Have unlimited access to financial and operational records relating to projects.
• 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 G6 – 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Accounting;

Auditing;

Business Administration;

Finance;

Project Management;

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

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Not specified.

Desirable

Not specified.

Functional Skills

FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)

FI-Financial auditing

MG-Project Management

PM-Project Assurance

RM-Risk Management

IT-ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Functional Knowledge

IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

IT-Computer Literacy

(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

Excellent oral communication ability in Turkish and English.

The capacity to work and communicate in Arabic would be an asset.

SSAFE training and/or WEM training would also be an asset.

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

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

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 position is situated within the Project Control Unit (PCU) at the UNHCR Country Office in Türkiye, reporting directly to the Senior Project Control Officer of the Unit. This role encompasses responsibilities for both the refugee situation in Türkiye and the UN’s cross-border operations in northwest Syria, presenting two distinct and diverse operational landscapes. The incumbent will be required to undertake missions to Gaziantep and northwest Syria. It is essential to note that missions in Syria are classified as high risk and will only be conducted on a voluntary basis with the supervisor’s approval.

Within UNHCR Türkiye, the Project Control function serves as a crucial support mechanism for operations reporting to the Deputy Representative. The primary focus includes financial and risk management, compliance, and the monitoring of project/partnership agreements through rigorous verification processes. The incumbent will play a pivotal role in formulating monitoring plans, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring quality assurance for both the refugee situation in Türkiye and the cross-border operation in northwest Syria. Project Control aims to facilitate synergy between financial and operational performance. Additional responsibilities encompass the review of project agreements, active participation in monitoring activities and multifunctional reviews, overseeing project risk management, coordinating project closure, and auditing agreements signed with implementing partners.

The ideal candidate is expected to possess substantial UNHCR experience in Operations, with a strong emphasis on financial control and risk management gained through humanitarian operations and close collaboration with partners and other stakeholders like audit firms.

Key considerations include:

Collaborative Skills: Ability to work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders in the sensitive context of Northwest Syria within a highly complex environment.

Deep Knowledge of UNHCR Policies: Profound understanding of UNHCR policies and standards, particularly in financial control and oversight mechanisms, along with extensive knowledge of United Nations operational and managerial reforms related to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), result-based management, IPSAS, budgetary cycles and procedures, planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

Experience: Demonstrate relevant experience in financial and risk management, oversight, and audit, with references in either the private or public sectors at an international level preferably within a humanitarian context.

Living and Working Conditions:

UNHCR in Turkiye operates through country offices in Ankara, with field offices/presence in Gaziantep, Istanbul, Edirne, Izmir, Adana, Hatay, Sanliurfa, and Van. As the country’s capital, Ankara offers good infrastructure, medical facilities, schools, hotels, and residential apartments for rent. Ankara has cold, snowy winters and hot dry summers with rainfall mostly during spring and fall.

Skills

Additional Qualifications

FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc), FI-Financial auditing, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Functional Knowledge, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software, MG-Project Management, PM-Project Assurance, RM-Risk Management

Education

Certifications

Accounting – Other, Auditing – Other, Business Administration – Other, Finance – Other, Project Management – Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Additional Information

The English version is considered original and authoritative, translation to other language(s) serve the purpose of advertisement of local positions where applicable but are not considered as official translations

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks, and integrity clearances.

PLEASE DO NOT USE TURKISH CHARACTERS IN YOUR NAME & SURNAME INFORMATION.

Staff members should serve for a minimum of one year following assignment before being considered eligible to apply for another position within the same category. This requirement is waived for staff members whose position is being changed or whose assignment/appointment through the joint staff/management review body is in a replacement capacity.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

External candidates should be legally present in Türkiye at the time of application, recruitment, and hire.

Non-Turkish citizens are required to upload their residence permits or relevant documents under the ‘Certifications’ section, by selecting the type ‘Personnel Administration – Other’, to be considered for this job opening. Applications by non-Turkish citizens will NOT be considered if a valid residence permit is not attached to the application.

For further information on how to apply, please visit the ‘UNHCR – Application and Selection’ page, at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html.

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance