Assistant Project Control Officer

May 8, 2026

A (least hardship)

Family

NOA

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-06-01

Assistant Project Control Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Assistant Project Control Officer is part of the multi-functional team. In coordination with the Division of Resource Management (DRM), s/he is responsible and accountable for providing substantive support, guidance, and oversight on the effective management of the Enhanced Framework for Implementing with Partners (the Framework) as well as oversight on the effective management of Direct Implementation.

Complementary to programme management, s/he will support and conduct analysis and assessment of risks associated with partnerships and direct implementation, policy compliance, operational practices, mitigation measures and gaps and make technical recommendations or decisions in line with the principles of the Framework, of UN/UNHCR’s financial rules, policies and regulations and operational context.

The incumbent prompts partnership integrity and other safeguarding mechanisms for ensuring sound stewardship and accountability of funds entrusted to partners or through direct implementation arrangements (e.g. contracts for the procurement of goods and/or services) to ensure resources are used most efficiently and effectively to attain the best results for forcibly displaced and stateless persons.

The Assistant Project Control Officer will promote dialogue and consultations for strengthening partnerships and have frequent contacts with UNHCR colleagues, particularly project control and programme staff. S/he may have contact with external stakeholders, such as UNHCR-funded partners, auditors, oversight bodies, and host governments on matters related to partnerships. The incumbent will be mindful of all dimensions of partnerships in accordance with the Principles of Partnership, the Code of Conduct, UN/UNHCR’s financial rules, policies and regulations and other relevant documents.

In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent works under the supervision of the Regional Controller. In the Country and Multi-Country Offices, the incumbent normally works under the direct supervision of the Representative or Deputy Representative, Head of Office or (Senior) Project Control Officer, as applicable.

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

• Participate in the annual assessment and planning cycle.

• Assist with the review of project agreements, ensuring that they conform with Country Operation Plans and UNHCR’s rules, policies and procedures.

• Assist with the formulation and implementation of a performance project monitoring plan in collaboration with the Programme Unit and MFT.

• Assist with the development of the direct implementation monitoring plan in collaboration with the Programme Unit and other relevant functions.

• Assist with the support of Programme and other relevant functions in the selection of implementation modalities.

• Contribute to tracking the management of the project and direct implementation risks in collaboration with the Programme Unit, and report major risks to senior management.

• Contribute to reviewing, analysing and verifying Financial and Performance Partner Reports (PFR and -PPR), and to checking accuracy and consistency between PFR and PPR, in accordance with partnership agreements.

• Monitor, track and verify that expenditure for direct implementation by UNHCR is in line with the approved budget.

• Conduct reviews of the internal control systems of partners implementing projects and provide advice as required.

• Provide input on identified variants, risks and issues to partners, Programme Unit and escalate to management as required.

• Support timely project closure in coordination with the Programme Unit.

• Provide input to the mid- and end-year programme review process on issues related to project control.

• Maintain professional relationships with partners implementing projects and UNHCR’s contractors.

• Keep up-to-date with all UNHCR rules, regulations and procedures necessary to perform these duties.

• 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

Business Administration;                  Economics;                         Management;

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Accounting;

Auditing;

Assc Chartered Certificate Account

Chartered Inst. Of Management Account

Institute of Mgmt Accountants

Chartered Accountant

Certified Practising Accountant

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Good knowledge of international auditing standards.

Desirable

Good understanding of the workflows of major Enterprise Resource Planning financial modules (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle). Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS).

Functional Skills

PC-Project Control

FI-International Auditing Standards

FI-Auditing practical experience

MS-Monitoring & Evaluation

MS-Data Collection and Analysis

MS-Reporting skills

UN-UN/UNHCR Financial Rules and Regulations and Procedures

(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.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Judgement and Decision Making

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Planning and Organizing

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.

Substantial experience in UNHCR refugee operations, including both partner-managed and direct implementation modalities, with a strong understanding of the UNHCR programme cycle, partnership framework, and results-based management principles to support quality, compliance, and accountability.

Demonstrated strong analytical, reporting, and project financial management skills, with the ability to assess project workplan, budgets, verification reports, and operational data in a structured and critical manner. They should be able to identify inconsistencies, assess risks and control weaknesses, and provide practical, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen planning and implementation quality.

Sound knowledge of internal control, risk management, and financial oversight is essential. Familiarity with UNHCR’s protection mandate, programme manual, financial regulations, standard operating procedures, and oversight processes is highly desirable. The ability to link programme delivery, financial implementation, performance monitoring, and risk oversight in a practical manner is particularly important. Experience with enterprise risk management frameworks (e.g. COSO), and scenario planning to anticipate disruptions including funding shortfalls or supply chain constraints would be an added advantage.

Strong stakeholder management, coordination, and partnership-building skills, with the ability to work constructively across multifunctional teams and with external counterparts while maintaining professional independence. Excellent communication and diplomatic skills are required to convey complex financial and compliance matters clearly and practically, including non-specialist audiences. Sound judgement, discretion, adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to operate effectively in complex and sensitive contexts are essential. Conflict resolution, influencing, and negotiation skills would be an added advantage.

Highly organized, reliable, and able to perform effectively under pressure while managing competing priorities. The candidate should demonstrate a high level of integrity, accountability, attention to detail, and professionalism.

Advanced computer literacy and data management, with expert-level Excel (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, macros) and proficiency in reporting tools like UNHCR's corporate systems. Precision in analyzing complex datasets. Familiarity with data visualization and automation tools to streamline monitoring, enabling real-time dashboards for agile decision-making.

Professional qualifications in accounting, finance, audit, or related fields would be an advantage. Certification such as ACCA, CPA, or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or CFE fraud detection and investigation-related credentials would be highly desirable.

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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://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Under the supervision of the Project Control Officer in the Country office, the Assistant Project Control Officer supports UNHCR Rwanda operation in strengthening project oversight, internal control, compliance, risk management, and accountability across both direct implementation and partnership arrangements. The position helps ensure that financial implementation remains aligned with operational progress, approved plans, donor requirements, and applicable UNHCR rules, policies, and procedures. 

The incumbent contributes to quality assurance throughout the project cycle, including strategic planning, budget and workplan review, implementation monitoring, verification, financial closure, and audit follow-up. This includes reviewing project agreements, budgets, financial and performance reports, monitoring results, and supporting documentation to identify compliance gaps, control weaknesses, operational risks, fraud detection and areas requiring corrective action. 

The role also supports field missions to camps, field offices, and partner locations for monitoring and verification purposes. The incumbent is expected to document observations, assess supporting records, engage relevant stakeholders, and produce clear reports and practical recommendations to strengthen project effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability. 

The position demands robust technical skills in project management, financial oversight, internal control, audit support, and risk management, paired with advanced computer and data proficiency. The incumbent requires leveraging corporate systems, spreadsheets, databases, and reporting tools analyze financial, programmatic, and operational data accurately and translate findings into evidence-based recommendations for management action. 

The Assistant Project Control Officer collaborates closely with Programme, Finance, Supply, Field, and other units, as well as implementing partners and external stakeholders. The role requires responsiveness to evolving policies and operational requirements, the ability to facilitate coordination, and a commitment to supporting knowledge sharing with partners and internal colleagues. Therefore, the position calls for sound judgment, strong coordination skills, and the ability to communicate observations and recommendations clearly, confidently, and diplomatically in a complex and evolving operational environment.

 
 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Reporting skills, DM-Data Collection and Analysis, EL-Monitoring and Evaluation, FI-Financial auditing, FI-International Auditing Standards, PM-Project Monitoring

Bachelor of Arts: Accounting, Bachelor of Arts: Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Finance, Bachelor of Arts: Public Administration

Certifications

Accounting - Other, Association of Chartered Certified Accountant - ACCA, Auditing - Other, Certif. Practicing Accountant - Other, Chartered Accountant (CA) - Other, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants - CIMA, Institute of Management Accountants - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance