Job: Project Control Associate

Location: Erbil
Deadline: Monday, 28 October 2013

The Iraq Operation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Iraq invites qualified candidates to apply for the following vacancy:

Functional Title & Grade: Project Control Associate; G-6;

Position No.:10021448

Date of Issue: 22 October 2013

Fixed-term (one year)

Duty Station: Erbil, Iraq

Contractual Status: OPERATIONAL CONTEXT

Deadline for applications: 28 October 2013

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

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. Therefore, the incumbent should report directly to the same senior management level as programme i.e. Head of Office. Project Control Associate plays a very important role in maintaining harmonious and effective partnerships, and often interacts with implementing partners. As a result, incumbent needs 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). The incumbent will undertake the following responsibilities under the supervision of the Head of Office Erbil, Iraq:

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT.

Accountability

• Quality assurance of project agreements is provided in accordance with applicable UNHCR rules and regulations.
• Resources transferred to implementing partners are utilized for the intended purposes and in accordance with project agreements.
• Performance delivery and financial expenditure reported by implementing partners are accurate and consistent.
• Supervisors are promptly informed of risks and major variances in the execution of projects (budgets, finance, implementation or timeframe).

Responsibility

• 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, analyzing 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 installment or a disbursement, confirming the status of installments 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.
• Perform other duties as required.

Authority

• 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.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Judgement and decision making;
• Managing resources;
• Planning and organizing;
• Political awareness

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Secondary education, together with training/certificate in Accounting, Auditing, Business
• Minimum six years of previous job experience in the field of accounting/finance, auditing, project management, business analysis, quality assurance and/or risk management.
• Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications.
• Excellent communication skills.

LANGUAGE:

Good working knowledge of English and other UN language (written/oral/comprehension).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Fluency in Kurdish and Arabic

Interested applicants should forward the UN history form (P-11) with a covering letter in English explaining their interest in the position to: e-mail: irqerbad@unhcr.org

Please indicate the post title you are applying for in the subject. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted, and engagement is needed immediately.

More Info and Application