September 15, 2026
UNOPS IICA1
2026-10-15
Terms of Reference
This JR is created to advertise the position of Associate Programme Officer under UNOPS IICA -1Contract, to be based at the Sub Office in Pemba, Mozambique.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
(Individual Contractor Agreement)
Functional Title: Associate Program Officer
Project: 0000001443
Section/Unit: Program
ICA Level: IICA
ICA Type: Regular
Corresponding level: P2
Duration: from 15/10/2026 to 31/12/2027
Supervisor: Head of Sub Office, Kahilo Jose Katunda
1. General Background
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated to protect and assist persons in need of international protection, including refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and returnees. UNHCR MCO Mozambique maintains operations through its main office in Maputo, a sub-office in Pemba, a field office in Nampula, field units in Cabo Delgado and a National Office in Luanda, Angola.
The Associate Programme Officer will be based in the Sub Office, Pemba, reporting to the Head of Sub Office while receiving technical guidance from the Senior Programme Officer located at the country office. S/he may supervise a small team of local staff. He/she 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 Associate Programme Officer will provide programmatic guidance and support with regard to 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. The incumbent 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), and 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.
2. Duties –
The Associate Program Officer will
Support in assessing and analyzing 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.
Support the revision and analysis of plans, mid-year and year-end reports of UNHCR office(s) in the Area of Responsibility AoR), ensure quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards.
Assist in the provision of overall direction to broaden partnerships with key stakeholders in order to maximize the protection and solutions response for persons of concern.
Provide support to ensure a consistent 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 across the region, 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.
Oversee a timely and effective follow-up of internal and external audits observations and recommendations that relate to programmatic issues.
Perform other related duties as required
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
The performance will be evaluated by the supervisor against the required tasks as specified in the TOR.
4. Qualifications and Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1-year relevant experience with Doctorate degree.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Programme Management
Certification Programme in Programme Management (CP-PM)
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Demonstrated experience in programme management including familiarization with the OMC and sound knowledge of 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. Knowledge of Portuguese is desirable.
Functional Skills
Functional Skills
MG-Project Management
PG-Results-Based Management
PG-UNHCR's Programmes
PG-Experience with coordinating with Implementing Partners (Government/INGO/NGO/Corporate)
DM-Data Management
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
b. Key Competencies
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Managing Resources
Judgement and Decision Making
Empowering and Building Trust
Cross-Functional Competencies
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Analytical Thinking
Political Awareness
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
Desired Languages
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Remote
No