Assistant Programme Officer

September 9, 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family

NOA

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-11-01

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 forcibly displaced and stateless persons, 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 forcibly displaced and stateless persons 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 forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
• 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
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.

• Solid operational experience in programme management, preferably within UNHCR or a comparable humanitarian organization.
• Strong experience in programme planning, partnership management, Project Agreements, resource management, monitoring and reporting.
• Good understanding of results-based management and programme cycle requirements, including both partnership-based and direct implementation modalities.
• Proven ability to independently manage a diverse portfolio, prioritize competing demands and deliver under tight timelines in a dynamic operational environment.
• Strong coordination and communication skills, with experience engaging government counterparts, NGOs, UN agencies and other operational stakeholders.
• Previous supervisory or team-management experience, with the ability to provide guidance and ensure effective coordination across Programme and Shelter functions.
• Strong analytical skills, sound operational judgement and a solutions-oriented approach.
• Ability to communicate clearly and constructively and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and partners at different levels.
• Experience in shelter, cash-based interventions, early recovery, durable solutions and/or area-based programming would be an advantage.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

Nature of Position:

UNHCR Sub-Office Homs manages a diverse and evolving operational portfolio covering primarily Homs and Hama Governorates, with responsibilities spanning programme management, partnerships, shelter, cash-based interventions, and area-based responses. Activities are implemented through a combination of partnership agreements and direct implementation, requiring close coordination with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, contractors, and other operational stakeholders.

The operational environment is characterized by evolving priorities, significant return movements, early recovery and durable solutions considerations, and an increasing focus on area-based approaches and return and reintegration programming. While the Area of Responsibility is primarily focused on the central region of Syria, particularly Homs and Hama, operational engagement may extend to other governorates depending on programme needs, priorities, and partner implementation arrangements.

The Assistant Programme Officer plays a key role in programme planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting, as well as partnership management, resource oversight, and compliance with UNHCR policies and procedures. The incumbent also provides oversight and coordination of the Shelter function and supports the Sub-Office in translating operational priorities into coherent and timely implementation.

The position requires strong communication, coordination, and stakeholder management skills. The incumbent will regularly engage with local authorities, technical departments, municipal bodies, partner organizations, contractors, and community representatives, while maintaining close and proactive internal coordination, particularly with Protection, Field, and other relevant functional units.

The incumbent will work closely with the Head of Office, supervise Programme and Shelter colleagues, and maintain regular coordination with relevant functional units at Country Office level. Strong operational judgement, the ability to manage competing priorities, and a proactive and solutions-oriented approach are therefore essential.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

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 is advertised on replacement capacity.
- Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance