Associate Programme Officer

General Background 

• Somalia remains affected by insecurity and political instability, characterized by ongoing tensions and inter-clan conflicts, along with the activities of non-state actors, leading to significant displacement of populations.
• Somalia is among the nation’s most severely affected by climate change, with the recent drought and seasonal flooding intensified by El Niño resulting in over 1.4 million newly displaced individuals in just the past year due to drought. the Gu rains have displaced more than 120,000 individuals in 2024.
• In 2024, the operation expects an inflow of 3,700 refugee returns from Yemen, Kenya, and other countries. it has been confirmed that 1,500 will return from Yemen in 2024 as part of the Yemen operation. The operation has upheld the target figure of 1,000,000 IDPS to be assisted by 2024.
• The emphasis is on identifying solutions for long-term internally displaced persons by ensuring access to land, providing durable shelters, and facilitating livelihoods and protection. the operation has also enhanced its leadership and coordination of the protection, shelter, and CCCM clusters, while collaborating with other humanitarian actors to address the expected displacement and emergencies.
• Through collaborative partnerships, the operation will serve a pivotal function in enhancing the involvement of the federal government of Somalia (FGS), federal member states (FMS), and other essential stakeholders within the context of the humanitarian development peace nexus, employing area-based strategies (state-level operational response, support to costed plan, national transition plan discussions).
• While the operation is moving towards sustainable programming with focus on integration in national systems, livelihood programming, community-based protection, environmental sustainability, partnership advocacy and data and evidence-based planning. Enhancing the self-sufficiency of forcibly displaced and stateless individuals will improve their access to inclusive socio-economic development and facilitated returns from Yemen.
• Legislative frameworks: The Refugee Act was enacted in February 2024, and the regulations are still pending. The IDP Bill is currently in parliament, being reviewed by the house committees.
• The operation seeks to support the Government in improving the legal and policy frameworks that safeguard refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons, and stateless individuals, while also responding to the urgent needs of those impacted by various crises. It will enable a shift towards sustainable solutions that include protection and displacement data, assistance for cluster and area of responsibility priorities, and climate action, featuring emergency aid, flash alerts, multipurpose cash support, and non-food item assistance.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment      

• Support in assessing and analysing the needs of persons of concern in a participatory manner, using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
• Provide support 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.
• Assist the planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and the planning instructions.
• Support the revision and analysis of plans, mid-year and year-end reports of UNHCR office(s) in the Area of Responsibility AoR), ensure quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards.
• Assist in the provision of overall direction to broaden partnerships with key stakeholders in order to maximize the protection and solutions response for   persons of concern.
• Provide support 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.
• Contribute to ensure consistent and coherent monitoring approaches, tools and systems across the region, in line with global standards and polices.
• Actively contribute to UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contribute to improvements of programming tools and processes.
• Oversee a timely and effective follow-up of internal and external audits observations and recommendations that relate to programmatic issues.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• The Programme sector oversees the planning, implementation, and monitoring of all humanitarian interventions in Somalia. Key monitoring and progress controls will include Needs Assessment: Conducting comprehensive assessments to identify the most pressing needs of forcibly displaced and stateless persons (Refugees, returnees, Asylum seekers and IDPs).
• Project Planning: Developing detailed plans for project implementation, ensuring alignment with UNHCR’s strategic objectives.
• Resource Allocation: Efficiently allocating resources to maximize impact, including managing budgets and financial reporting.
• Broad based management of partnerships: Ensure good partnerships networks and stakeholder relationships.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly evaluating project outcomes to ensure effectiveness and accountability.
• 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.

Qualifications and Experience

Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

• 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1-year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
• Language: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English

Work Experience 

Essential

• Demonstrated experience in Programme management including familiarization with the OMC and sound knowledge of Results Based-Management. Demonstrated experience in field operations, sound knowledge on the centrality of protection in programming, 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. Sound experience in program management training and capacity building activities.

Source: https://unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Mogadishu-Somalia/Associate-Programme-Officer–UNOPs-IICA-1_JR2450284-1