JOB DESCRIPTION

C

Family

Family

NOA

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-08-15

July 25, 2025

Assistant Programme Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Programme Officer may be based in HQ, field/regional bureau, and would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division and may supervise a small team of local staff. The incumbent may refer to UNHCR’s Programme Manual (Chapter IV), UNHCR’s corporate and regional strategic priorities, operation plans and other relevant institutional rules and regulations for further guidance.

The Assistant Programme Officer will support the provision of programmatic guidance and support with regard to the implementation of protection and solutions strategies within available resources. The incumbent will play a role in coordinating with the other sections/units to ensure harmonized programmatic approaches at all levels and throughout the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle. S/he will work in line with the overall UNHCR directions which crucially require working with partners, including with persons of concern, governmental institutions and the private sector, ensuring that programme management is approached as per UNHCR¿s Strategic Directions, Global Strategic Priorities (GSPs), Global Compact for Refugees (GCR), corporate positions on SDGs.
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 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
– Contribute to the review and analyse of plans, mid-year and year-end reports of UNHCR offices in the region, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards.
– Assist with the provision of overall direction to broaden partnerships with key stakeholders in order to maximize the protection and solutions response for persons of concern.
– Contribute to the successful 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 within the Area of Responsibility (AoR), 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.
– Identify potential gaps and problems and in cooperation with other relevant sections recommend appropriate solutions to ensure the efficient implementation of programme activities
– Assist in a timely and effective follow-up of internal and external audits observations and recommendations that relate to programmatic issues.

– 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 P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Economics

Business Administration

Social Sciences
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Demonstrated experience in programme management including familiarization with the OMC and sound knowledge 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.

Functional Skills
PG-UNHCR’s Programmes
PG-Results-Based Management
PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate)
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
(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.

• Ability to work in a multicultural team, under pressure and with minimum supervision; analytical skills, autonomy, planning and organization, and initiative.
• Familiarity with the operational context of the duty station.
• Excellent communication skills and strong negotiation skills.
• Experience in program management training and capacity-building activities.
• Computer skills (in MS Office), including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, data management, etc.).
• Knowledge of results-based management and Business Transformation Plan.
• Excellent knowledge of French (written/oral comprehension) and good knowledge of English and local languages.
• Be a person of integrity, discreet, and available/flexible in terms of working hours.
• Organizational and Analytical Skills which include planning, prioritization, and organizational capabilities; attention to detail and ability to solve operational challenges; proficiency with software tools used in UNHCR (Cloud ERP, COMPASS, MS Office)
• Experience in development project management, nexus HDP, strategic planning, or public policy analysis would be an asset.
• Experience in the project management cycle (planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting). • Good knowledge of inter-agency coordination, including with the government, implementing partners (IP/OP), donors, and other UN agencies.
• Budget monitoring, performance tracking (COMPASS, ACONEX/PROMS, Cloud).
• Understanding of UNHCR strategic frameworks (GCR, MYMP, UNSDCF Cameroon).
• Knowledge of Cameroonian government structures and dynamics of skill transfer.
• Ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships (government, donors, private sector).
• Proficiency in UNHCR monitoring and reporting tools (COMPASS, ProMS, etc.).
• Ability to manage limited resources and prioritize in a budget-constrained environment.

French

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Consideration :

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Nature of Position:

UNHCR Sub-Office of Bertoua covers about 256,000 Central African Refugees, located in the regions of Est, Adamaoua and Nord of Cameroon where they are settled in developed sites or outside these areas where the population are already

vulnerable to food security, malnutrition, epidemics and where access to basic social services remains limited. UNHCR supports the government in providing protection and multisectoral response to refugees from the Central African Republic as well as find durables solutions. UNHCR is currently implementing an intensive voluntary repatriation exercise, supporting government to provide biometric identity cards and working closely with authorities for the effective inclusion of refugees in the national and local development plans.

At the operational level, the program faces a reduction of funding each year, which has a significant impact on the quality of the operational response in favor of refugees and require a regular prioritization exercise and monitoring of the budget as well as a strong strategic partnership.

Following 2025 restructuration exercise due to the budget constraint, the position of Programme Officer has been nationalized and a new position of Assistant Programme Officer has been created. The new Assistant Programme Officer is part of the Senior Management of Sub Office. The position is directl supervised by the Head of Sub Office. The incumbent will provide programmatic guidance and support about the implementation of protection and solutions strategies within available resources. S/he will coordinate with the other sections/units to ensure harmonized programmatic approaches at all levels and throughout the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle. S/he will work in line with the overall UNHCR directions which crucially require collaborating with partners, including with refugees or other people we serve, governmental institutions and the private sector, ensuring that Programme management is approached as per Cameroon operational priorities, UNHCR’s Strategic Directions, Global Strategic Priorities (GSPs), Global Compact for Refugees (GCR), corporate positions on SDGs. In addition to that, he or she is expected to have solid knowledge on localization and nexus humanitarian-development-peace as well as refugee coordination model.

The incumbent is expected to conduct capacity building sessions in UNHCR COMPASS tool and other related to BTP. The incumbent will supervise Programme and some Technical staff in UNHCR offices within Bertoua. The incumbent will be able to support staff members of the program team within the operation and ensure compliance with UNHCR program rules and procedures. The incumbent will ensure adequate and efficient services and provide overall guidance to the operation’s implementing partners for the protection and care of beneficiaries.

The main roles of the incumbent are to:

Implement processes and procedures to improve and strengthen internal controls in accordance with UNHCR rules and regulations.

Highly collaborate in a good way with all the related sections, field office of Meiganga, and sub-office of Maroua as well the branch office s in the coordination of activities implemented in the field.

Actively contribute to the identification of potential gaps and problems with the relevant sections and the recommendation of appropriate solutions to ensure an efficient implementation of program activities.

Help apply the framework for working with partners and the policy on partner selection and retention.

Contribute to the management of partnership agreements, risk-based project performance monitoring, and risk-based project audits.

Focus on monitoring the OPS budget implementation rate (direct implementation and IPS installments) as well as the financial analysis of the OPS budget.

Contribute to the process of the partners performance evaluation as well as the PPAs amendment process.

Contribute to the MFT approach in the process of reviewing, compiling, and inserting in the system the operation plan and mid-year and year-end reports.

Actively participate in the review process of the 2026 and 2027-2031 strategy focused on the 2025 detailed planning exercise, together with partners and colleagues involved.

Perform project control functions.

The candidate will supervise Programme and some Technical staff within UNHCR Bertoua Sub-Office. He/She will interact with high level local authorities and partners including donors. He/She will manage important operational budget.

Living and Working Conditions:

CONDITIONS DE VIE A BERTOUA

Living and Working Conditions:

Bertoua is a duty station classified C and, as such, has no R&R cycle. The recreational and sport activities are limited with only one small public fitness arena and a football stadium. There is only one supermarket with few stores where staff have to go regularly to make shopping for basic items. Life is generally affordable including food and accommodation. Electricity supply is not on standard parameters, regular power cut is observed in Bertoua, and one has to rely on generator or solar energy. There is also recurrent shortage of water in the region. A decent stand-alone 3 bedrooms house will vary between USD 600 and USD1,200. The climate in Bertoua is moderate: the average temperature varies from 23 º to 29 º over the year, the hit being 31 º between November and February. There are few local banks operating in Bertoua, some of them with e-banking and ATM facilities.

Security:

Though Bertoua remains at level 2 security, the overall remains conducive for UNHCR staff and operations despite the volatile environment in the neighboring countries mainly Central African Republic and Chad.

Schools

No international schools. Local schools are few and are overcrowded.

Health facilities (and Health risks): Bertoua which is an important center in the East region has two public hospitals which are not well equipped. There are cases where staff are referred to Hospitals in Yaounde city for appropriate treatment. In a locality such as Bertoua where there are no convention/agreements with hospitals and few private medical clinics, health care for staff can be a serious issue.

(i.e access to Health facilities for ex)

Some private businesses operate transport only between Bertoua and Yaounde and other major cities in country making it difficult to staff and families to move around. Transport in these kinds of private cars not well maintained is strongly discouraged by UNDSS.

The city has no authorized taxis and staff experience difficulties with family members getting sick in the middle of the night without hope in sight.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

BU-UN/UNHCR Budgetary cycle, CL-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination, DE-Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (HDP), DE-Inclusion of PoCs in national development plans, social safety nets and services, FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations, MG-Management Planning, Nexus Framework, PM-Strategic project development and implementation planning, PS-Private sector fundraising and partnerships

Bachelor of Arts: Economics (Required)

Certifications

Programme Management – Other

Programme/Planning

Competencies

Accountability, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance