Deadline for ApplicationsFebruary 10, 2026
Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
Nairobi (CO), Kenya
GradeGS6
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2026-02-01
Standard Job Description
Programme Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Programme Associate would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division. S/he 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 Programme Associate. S/he is expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed by the operational context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.
The incumbent 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 will have to establish good working relationships with their peers at country level to facilitate the collection of information and other programme management related activities.
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
- Support the assessment and analysis of the needs of persons of concern in the country/region in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
- Assist in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities related to programme management if applicable.
- 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 the field with technical advice 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.
- Support the implementation and performance of partnership agreements through field visits and appropriate physical monitoring if applicable, reviewing performance and financial reports.
- Support the development and implementation of MFT 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 of the different UNHCR offices, 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.
- Follow up on any change in regards to alignment of results chain, verifying indicators, budget, prioritization, apportioning needed to measure programme performance, trends and target interventions, contributing to soundness of Operations Plan and enhancement of data quality.
- Follow up with UNHCR offices the compliance with issuance of audit certificates for partners in line with the Policy on Risk-Based Project Audits.
- Provide support to the field through technical advice and training on resource allocation processes and other programmatic issues.
- Use UNHCR's corporate tools (e.g. Focus Client, Global Focus Insight and FOCUS Reader, MSRP) for core activities related to planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting, generating data for evidence-based programmatic decisions and analysis.
- Support 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 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
n/a
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
PG-Development and monitoring of programme assessments and surveys
(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 Nature of the Position:
The incumbent will be based in Port Sudan and report to the Operations Officer. S/he will serve as the UNHCR Focal Point for Shelter Non-Food Item (NFI) matters at the country level, while also fulfilling the role of Sub-National Shelter/NFI Cluster Coordinator for Khartoum and Al Jazirah states. UNHCR leads the Shelter/NFI Cluster both nationally and sub-nationally in Sudan and is the primary agency providing NFI assistance across the country.
The operational environment in Sudan has undergone a profound shift since armed conflict erupted on 15 April 2023, leading to a severe deterioration in security conditions nationwide as humanitarian needs rapidly escalate. The conflict has drastically worsened living conditions, intensified longstanding intercommunal tensions, and generated grave protection risks, and large-scale displacement. As of November 2025, Sudan hosts nearly 9.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), with more than 7 million newly displaced since the conflict began, while an additional 4.4 million people have fled to neighboring countries. Current inter-agency displacement figures exceed the combined total of the previous four years, underscoring the unprecedented scale of the crisis within Sudan and across the region. According to the inter-agency Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), the number of people in need has risen sharply from 15.8 million in November 2022 to 30.4 million in January 2025, driven primarily by the ongoing conflict.
The Programme Associate will play a key role in supporting UNHCR’s Shelter and NFI interventions at the country level by ensuring strong data management, accurate reporting, effective coordination, and meaningful contributions to strategic planning.
Key Responsibilities include
Shelter/NFI Specific Duties
• Track NFI pipelines, distributions, and post-distribution monitoring; support stock updates and reconciliation.
• Coordinate monthly reporting: Collect/validate data for HRP 5Ws and ActivityInfo; prepare draft SitReps/narratives.
• Maintain NFI records/repositories; reconcile distributions per SOPs; train partners on tracking tools.
• Lead sub-national cluster meetings, action follow-up, and strategic inputs.
Reporting
• Collect, analyze, and report on Shelter/NFI progress (mid-year result report, annual result reports, embarked donor reports); ensure compliance with Programme Manual.
• Review plans/reports for quality assurance, flagging trends, risks, or resource needs.
• Prepare the Shelter/NFI monthly SitReps, performance reviews, and visibility materials.
Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM)
• Follow up with state focal points/partners for NFI distribution lists; document for PDM planning.
• Collaborate with UNHCR MIRA on PDM design, scheduling, methodology, sampling, questionnaires.
• Validate KoBo Toolbox data; cross-check with records; review/feedback on TPM reports.
Desired Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate should have solid experience in humanitarian operations, preferably in Shelter and NFI programming, with a sound understanding of UNHCR’s mandate and coordination responsibilities within the inter-agency system. Experience in managing data, monitoring, reporting, and coordination mechanisms in emergency settings is essential, as is familiarity with the cluster approach and inter-sectoral collaboration.
The candidate should demonstrate strong analytical and organizational skills, with a proven ability to consolidate information, draft high-quality reports, and monitor programmatic trends. Experience in coordinating with implementing partners, collaborating closely with UNHCR field offices, facilitating meetings, and contributing to strategic planning processes is highly desirable.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required, with the ability to engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders including government authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors. The ability to represent UNHCR in coordination forums and advocate for the needs of affected populations at the sub-national level is critical.
Proficiency in written and spoken English is required, along with fluency in Arabic. Prior experience working in Sudan or similar displacement contexts would be an asset.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
SkillsDM-Database Management, IT-Computer Literacy, PG-Development and monitoring of programme assessments and surveys, PG-Programme Analysis, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PG-Results-Based Management
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
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Compendium
Additional InformationFemale candidates are encouraged to apply.
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance