Project Control Associate

August 18, 2026

B

Family

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-10-01

Project Control Associate

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 Project Control Associate 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 may supervise other general service staff.

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.
- 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, analysing 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 instalment or a disbursement, confirming the status of instalments 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.
- 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.

- 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 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
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
Not specified.
Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
FI-Financial auditing
MG-Project Management
PM-Project Assurance
RM-Risk Management
IT-ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Functional Knowledge
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
IT-Computer Literacy
(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.

Essential candidate profile:
• Solid experience in project control, partner assurance, audit coordination and operational risk management.
• Experience in coordinating multi-functional financial verification activities with field offices and partners.
• Experience in partner internal control assessments, partner audit coordination and follow-up on prior-year outstanding matters.
• Familiarity and Experience with the UNHCR Corporate tools such as PROMS, Cloud-ERP, UN Partner Portal, the Integrity and Assurance Module.

Desired candidate profile:
• Ability to consolidate inputs from field offices, partners and Headquarters into clear trackers, updates and follow-up records.
• Strong understanding of project closure requirements, partner documentation, audit evidence and compliance records.
• Experience in updating audit and ICA/ICQ in the Integrity and Assurance Module.
• Ability to organize operational risk assessments/reviews and act as risk focal point backup.
• High attention to detail, integrity, confidentiality and accountability, ability to coordinate time-sensitive tasks across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, analytical and follow-up skills to support project closure related tasks.
• Certificates/Training in relevant field

Candidates may be required to sit for a written test and or Competency Based Interview.

English

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Portuguese

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

Nature of Position:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an international organization with the mandate to assist persons in need of international protection; asylum seekers; refugees; stateless persons; and internally displaced persons. The UNHCR operation in Mozambique has its main office in Maputo, a sub-office in Pemba, a field office in Nampula, and two field units in Cabo Delgado. The working language of the UNHCR offices in Mozambique is English.

The Project Control Associate will be based in Maputo and will report to the Project Control Officer. The incumbent will provide support in the coordination and implementation of project control, assurance and risk-management activities. This includes supporting Multi-Functional Team led financial verification exercises, partner internal control assessments, coordination of partner project audits, follow-up on prior years’ outstanding recoverables with partners and Headquarters, and regular updating of audit, ICA/ICQ information in the Integrity and Assurance Module.

The incumbent will also support project closure processes, operational risk assessments/reviews, and the management of the Project Work Plan Quality Assurance Checklist prior to signature of Project Work Plans. In addition, the position will require participation in field missions to support monitoring, verification and assurance activities with partners and field offices. The incumbent will also contribute to organizing and facilitating training, briefings and capacity-building sessions for partners and relevant staff on project control requirements, internal controls, audit follow-up, risk management and compliance procedures.

Living and Working Conditions:

The position is based in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, located in the south of the country. Maputo is a B, family duty-station. According to the latest United Nations data, the current population of Mozambique is estimated at 34 million as of mid-2023. This is equivalent to 0.42% of the total world population. The population density in Mozambique is 43 people per square kilometer. The largest city and capital is Maputo, with a population of 1.2 million. 

Mozambique is a large country in Southeast Africa, with an area of 801,590 sq. km. It has a tropical climate, with two main seasons: a wet season from October to March, and a dry season from May to August. The wet season can bring heavy rains and cyclones, especially in the coastal areas. The dry season is generally sunny and pleasant, but sometimes cold air masses from South Africa can lower the temperature and average daily temperature ranging from 13 °C to 24 °C.

Maputo is a B, Family duty-station where the security level is considered low (2).
The security situation in the Southern area is relatively calm, the biggest concern being criminality in the main urban centers of Maputo, Matola, Xai-Xai and Inhambane cities.
Floods occur every two to three years, with higher levels of risk in the southern provinces. Seasonal rains (November to April) and the lack of drainage infrastructure to accommodate stormwater runoff often leads to flash floods.

Traffic accidents are common in Mozambique due to the poor condition of the roads and poor driving and vehicle standards.

The metical is the local currency, and exchange rate stands at USD 1 equivalent to about 63.25 meticais (MZN) as per June 2026. There is a wide range of Banks and ATMs to meet financial needs. Credit/debit cards are accepted in most places.

The public healthcare system in Mozambique is basic and limited. Private clinics can be found in Maputo and other larger cities in Mozambique. Mozambique lies in a malaria zone, so the necessary precautions should be taken: Avoiding mosquito bites by using nets, candles and sprays is recommended.

Vaccinations for diphtheria, hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid are recommended. Tap water in Mozambique is not safe to drink, so bottled or boiled water should be used instead. Communication and transport services are available at various costs. The housing market is healthy but quite expensive, with a wide selection of apartments and houses for rent. Apartments can be rented around 1300-1600 USD per month.

Maputo has several open food markets and several large supermarkets that sell food, clothing, and household goods at reasonable prices. There are cinemas, several bars and discotheques for entertainment. Maputo is only two to three hours' drive away from Swaziland (Mbabane) and South Africa (Nelspruit).

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Certifications

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

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance