Senior Project Control Assistant

July 27, 2026

Grade

GS5

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

D

Non Family with Residential Location

Dakar, Senegal

2026-08-03

2027-02-03

Standard Job Description

Senior Project Control Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
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. Where there is no Project Control Officer, General Service staff performing project control functions should report directly to the Head of Office.
The Senior Project Control Assistant receives general guidance and work plans from the supervisor. They work independently on regular assignments under the supervision of the Project Control Officer or to the same management level as programme. The incumbent has no supervisory role.
Project Control staff play a very important role in maintaining harmonious and effective partnerships, and often interact with implementing partners. As a result, incumbents need 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).
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
- Contribute to reviewing the internal control systems of implementing partners.
- Assist with monitoring that IP agreements are established for each project.
- Prepare reports on project expenditures levels and patterns in relation to the Country Operations Plan and project agreements and implementation rates to track project progress.
- Assist with the verification of the financial status of projects by researching files, calculating costs and anticipating expenditures, to that the balance available under each project can be easily monitored.
- 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.
- Escalate IP issues to supervisors.
- Recommend acceptance or non-acceptance of IPRs and payment of instalments.
- Contact implementing partners for project related matters.

- 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 G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
Accounting, Auditing, Business Administration,
Finance, Project Management
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
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.

Desirable
Good knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures.
Good understanding of accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS).
Working experience with ERP financial modules (such as PeopleSoft, Oracle or SAP).

Functional Skills
FI-Financial auditing
IT-Computer Literacy
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
MG-Project Management
PM-Project Assurance
(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.

Le candidat idéal doit avoir un diplôme ou un certificat en comptabilité, en administration des affaires ou en finance, ainsi que les formations prévues dans les programmes d'apprentissage du HCR. Il/elle doit justifier d'au moins trois (3) ans d'expérience pertinente dans le contrôle de projets, dans des contextes d'urgence difficiles et complexes, au sein du système des Nations Unies ou d'organisations humanitaires.
Le candidat doit maîtriser le suivi de la mise en œuvre et la gestion financière des projets selon les procédures en vigueur au HCR. Il doit également savoir accompagner des organisations partenaires dans le renforcement de leurs capacités : apprécier leur niveau de gouvernance et de contrôle interne, utiliser les outils d'évaluation des capacités des partenaires (ICA/ICQ, HACT) et comprendre le contenu d'un manuel de procédures adapté à de petites structures. Une capacité à suivre des prestations d'appui et à en vérifier la qualité, à piloter un plan de renforcement des capacités et à en mesurer les résultats dans la durée est aussi attendue, tout comme une bonne aptitude à accompagner avec pédagogie et sens de la redevabilité.
Le titulaire du poste doit posséder de très bonnes compétences informatiques, notamment en Excel avancé, ainsi que de solides aptitudes rédactionnelles.
Le candidat doit avoir une connaissance pratique du règlement financier et des règles de gestion financière de l'ONU, de ses systèmes et procédures, une bonne connaissance du cadre du Partenariat (Framework for Implementing Partnership : FIP) et des compétences financières. D'excellentes compétences relationnelles, de collaboration et de communication sont indispensables.
Enfin, le titulaire est tenu d'accorder une attention particulière au respect du code de conduite, des règles, politiques et réglementations financières des Nations Unies et du HCR.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

French

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English

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Skills

FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), FI-Financial auditing, IT-Computer Literacy, MG-Project Management, PM-Project Assurance

Education

Certifications

Accounting - Other, Auditing - Other, Business Administration - Other, Finance - Other, Project Management - Other

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