Programme Associate

May 12, 2026

A (least hardship)

Family

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-06

Programme Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Programme Associate would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/region programme(s). UNHCR Manual, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Programme Associate. S/he is expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed by the operational context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.

The incumbent is expected to have contacts within the organization and outside the duty station, as well as with partners and other stakeholders to collect information, monitor programme activities and implement administrative requirements. The incumbent will have to establish good working relationships with their peers at country level to facilitate the collection of information and other programme management related activities.

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 the assessment and analysis of the needs of persons of concern in the country/region in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
- Assist in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities related to programme management if applicable.
- Assist in organizing and documenting the selection of partners in accordance with the policy on selection and retention of partners, ensuring due diligence to meet the requirements of projects.
- Provide support to the field with technical advice to ensure partnership agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures included in the framework for implementing with partners.
- Support the implementation and performance of partnership agreements through field visits and appropriate physical monitoring if applicable, reviewing performance and financial reports.
- Support the development and implementation of MFT monitoring plans for activities implemented through partnerships and those under direct implementation in line with Programme Manual and programming instructions.
- Contribute to the review and analysis of operations plans, mid-year and year-end reports of the different UNHCR offices, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards. Generate and maintain records of implementation rate (performance progress and expenditures) on a regular basis.
- Follow up on any change in regards to alignment of results chain, verifying indicators, budget, prioritization, apportioning needed to measure programme performance, trends and target interventions, contributing to soundness of Operations Plan and enhancement of data quality.
- Follow up with UNHCR offices the compliance with issuance of audit certificates for partners in line with the Policy on Risk-Based Project Audits.
- Provide support to the field through technical advice and training on resource allocation processes and other programmatic issues.
- Use UNHCR's corporate tools (e.g. Focus Client, Global Focus Insight and FOCUS Reader, MSRP) for core activities related to planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting, generating data for evidence-based programmatic decisions and analysis.
- Support UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contributing to improvements of programming tools and processes.

- 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 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
n/a

Certificates and/or Licenses
not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Demonstrated experience in programme management, Operation Management Cycle and related processes. Knowledge of Results Based-Management. Computer skills (in MS office) including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, data management, etc.)

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to function of the position including Programme Management Level 1. E-tutoring of PM1, Framework for Implementing with Partners Learning Programme. Experience in programme management training and capacity building activities.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
PG-Results-Based Management
DM-Database Management
PG-Programme Analysis
PG-Development and monitoring of programme assessments and surveys
(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.

Desired Candidate Profile:

It is required that the candidate possess senior programme experience within UNHCR country office location. This includes but is not limited to working with implementing partners or supporting interventions implemented directly by UNHCR, and providing programmatic guidance to multi-functional teams in the field to ensure a harmonised approach from planning to reporting on results achieved. It is desirable that the incumbent have experience developing partnership agreements with NGOs, their planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting in cooperation with the multi-functional team as well as drafting mid-year and year-end report.

It is also required for the candidate to be familiar with programmatic aspects of fundraising as drafting budgets, defining indicators and providing various inputs for funding proposals. S/he will also have experience in financial reporting to donors, especially for EU funded projects.

The ideal candidate for this position is familiar with UNHCR tools COMPASS, Aconex and Cloud ERP as well as with financial and budgetary rules and procedures, and agile with IT tools and system. Excellent and advanced knowledge of Excel is also highly desirable as well as Power BI. S/he will be expected to be able to deal with multiple tasks in a courteous and result-oriented manner, often with short deadlines and fluctuating workload. Ability to work as part of a team in a diverse work environment is one of the key competencies. This function normally requires strong analytical skills, dealing with budgets and numbers, precision, accuracy, and personal integrity. Relevant experience in finance/accounting is desirable, as well as previous experience in Cloud ERP processes (requisitions, vouchers, reports, partnership transactions).

The desired candidate has to have a good performance evaluation. Knowledge of any of the languages spoken in the countries covered by MCO Hungary is also highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Knowledge of English (B2) as the UN working language of the duty station is required.

• Knowledge of any of the languages spoken in the operations covered by MCO Hungary is also highly desirable (Albanian, Bosnian, Croatian, Hungarian, Montenegrin, Macedonian, Serbian, Slovenian).

Remuneration:

In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

G-6 salary range: NET EUR 2,412 - NET EUR 2,772

Benefits:

Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 2.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 30 working days per year).

Pension system:

Staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).

Health insurance plan:

Locally recruited staff members in the Republic of Montenegro will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP). The coverage is also optionally available for eligible family members.

Eligibility:
This position is advertised to internal applicants and former UNHCR staff members in the first round.

Internal Candidates: current General Service staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving in the country of the vacancy at the grade of the position or one grade below or above, as well as any candidates serving at higher grades who fulfil the criteria as per the job advertisement. Staff members must serve for a minimum of one year following assignment before being considered eligible to apply for another position within the same category.

The minimum one-year requirement is waived in respect of staff members whose position is being changed or who encumber a position identified as ‘suitable’ in a comparative review process and staff members whose assignment/appointment through the AC is in a replacement capacity.

Candidates with UNHCR experience: Regardless of the category of the position, the following candidates are considered candidates with UNHCR experience: Junior Professional Officers; Temporary Appointment holders; affiliate workforce; interns; staff loaned/seconded from another UN organization/ international organization/ government entity, or former UNHCR international and local staff members who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within two years of separation for males and five years females).
Staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment applying for a vacancy in a category different from their own are considered candidates with UNHCR experience.

Locally recruited staff members applying for a position two grades above their own are considered candidates with UNHCR experience.

Applicants must be nationals of the Republic of Montenegro OR in the possession of a valid Montenegrin residency and work permit. Temporary and/or sponsored visas are not accepted.

Applications:
All applications must be submitted online in Workday. Email applications will not be accepted. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal.

Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) at inspector@unhcr.org or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.

English

,

,

Bosnian

,

Montenegrin

,

Macedonian

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:

The UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Hungary oversees operations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Kosovo (UNSCR 1244 (1999)), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia — countries situated in Central and Sout East Europe and characterized by varied asylum landscapes, distinct legal frameworks, and differing capacities for refugee protection. The complexity is further increased with the fact that three countries are EU members states (Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia) while the others are in different phases of EU accession process.

This region plays a pivotal role in migration and refugee movements into Europe, particularly through the Central and South Eastern Mediterranean routes. Irregular arrivals mostly by land but by sea as well, secondary movements, and complex protection needs place continued pressure on national asylum and reception systems. On the other hand, the region is also bordering with Ukraine and sees regular population movements on that end as well. While numbers fluctuate, the centrality of these countries to European migration dynamics remains consistent.

MCO Hungary works with refugees and asylum‑seekers, including those in mixed movements as well as those arriving through other entry channels, refugees from Ukraine under temporary protection, stateless persons, and individuals at risk of statelessness. The focus is on an approach that prioritizes system strengthening, legal safeguards, inclusion, and evidence‑based protection responses, while leveraging EU accession processes, demographic trends, and growing local engagement to achieve sustainable outcomes.

The Programme Team in MCO Hungary consists of colleagues present in Hungary, Albania and Serbia. The Programme Associate will provide a key programmatic support to the office in Montenegro. The incumbent will also provide support to the offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia which may entail occasional missions to the two countries. Request to support other offices in MCO Hungary might also be required in the future. The incumbent will work in collaboration with Protection, Project Control, Admin, and External Relations colleagues in the offices and will be expected to proactively engage with thematic focal points within the operation and NGO partners to design, plan, monitor, implement and report on activities and results. The incumbent is expected to use UNHCR partnership and financial management corporate tools to perform her/his duties. The Programme Associate will also provide support to NGO partners on the use of the tools and establishment of partnerships, hence good communication and coordination skills are essential for this position. The incumbent will support the operation in resource mobilization and management of earmarked funding for the operation. 

The incumbent will report to the Assistant Programme Officer in Budapest.

Living and Working Conditions:

Montenegro is located in a Mediterranean and continental transition climate zone, with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters, particularly in Podgorica. Summer temperatures can be very high, often exceeding 35°C in July and August, while winters are generally mild, with daytime temperatures rarely dropping below 5°C, though occasional cold spells may occur.

Accommodation is available across short-, mid-, and long-term options. Podgorica offers a selection of hotels, serviced apartments, and private rentals. While the market is smaller than in larger European capitals, accommodation can be arranged through local agencies or online platforms.

• Medical facilities are available, including public hospitals and private clinics, though more specialized services may be limited compared to larger regional hubs.

• There are a few international and private schools in Podgorica, though options are more limited than in larger cities.

• General sanitary and hygiene conditions are adequate;

• Banking services are available, including ATMs and card payments, though cash is still commonly used in some places;

• Communication services (domestic and international) are generally reliable, with good mobile and internet coverage;

• Availability of food, furnishings, and daily necessities is adequate, with supermarkets, local markets, and shopping centres providing a reasonable selection of goods;

• Public transportation is limited but available, mainly consisting of bus services; many residents rely on private cars or taxis;

• Public utilities such as water supply, electricity, and sewerage systems are in place, though occasional disruptions may occur;

• Leisure, recreational, and sports facilities are available, with easy access to outdoor activities due to the country’s natural surroundings;

No specific security conditions pertain to Montenegro. Podgorica is generally considered a safe city, though as in any urban area, standard precautions should be taken, particularly regarding petty theft.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Database Management, IT-Computer Literacy, PG-Development and monitoring of programme assessments and surveys, PG-Programme Analysis, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PG-Results-Based Management

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance