JOB DESCRIPTION

A (least hardship)

Family

Family

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-08-25

August 7, 2025

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.

UNHCR’s Istanbul Field Office oversees operations in the Marmara Region, which hosts over 650,000 refugees across 11 provinces, including Istanbul — Türkiye’s largest metropolitan hub. The region plays a strategic role in the refugee response, given its demographic diversity, institutional density, and socio-economic significance.

UNHCR works with six NGO partners in the region, managing a diverse and evolving portfolio of protection interventions, which require close engagement in project design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. The Field Office plays a key role in ensuring regular monitoring through field visits and Multi-Functional Team (MFT) monitoring activities.

In addition, the Field Office is also actively engaged in direct implementation activities that require regular contact and coordination with Supply and Programme Units in the Country Office in Ankara, particularly for procurement, financial processes, and project approvals.
The Istanbul Field Office also supports Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) through grants and capacity-strengthening initiatives, recognizing their essential role in community mobilization and local engagement.

Given the Marmara Region’s role as an economic and industrial center, the Istanbul Field Office engages with different actors to support refugee economic inclusion and access to formal livelihood opportunities. The Field Office works with a broad range of stakeholders — including private sector actors, chambers of commerce, development agencies, and local governments — to enhance refugee access to formal employment, vocational training, entrepreneurship, and financial services.

With the increasing trend of voluntary returns among Syrian refugees, the monitoring of return has become an important part of the Field Office’s responsibilities. This includes regularly conducting voluntary return interviews with Syrian refugees at PDMM centers, airports, and other locations. The Field Office conducts voluntary repatriation monitoring activities when needed in the premises of relevant public institutions, including Airports. The incumbent is expected to support the monitoring activities of the Office in the respective premises when needed. These monitoring can take place both in day and night shifts, including weekends, in line with UNHCR’s relevant guidance and SOPs.

Istanbul is the most developed province in Türkiye. With almost 18.000.000 residents, the metropolitan province offers many opportunities in terms of cultural and recreational activities. The cost of living and rental prices are high. Public transportation networks are available and include ferries, subway, light rail, bus, and metro bus lines throughout the city. Public and private hospitals are widespread.

Excellent drafting skills in English, along with fluency in both spoken and written English and Turkish, are essential. Proficiency in Arabic is considered an asset. A university degree in International Relations, Business Administration, or other relevant fields is desirable. Previous experience in field operations, programme implementation, or project management is also is desirable.

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 in respect of 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.

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.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-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

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance