Programme Assurance Associate

April 30, 2026

A (least hardship)

Family

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-01

Programme Assurance Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Programme Assurance Associate is based in DSPR/HQ and normally reports to a (Senior) Programme Assurance Officer/Associate or other senior staff member who provides general guidance and work plans. The incumbent works independently on regular assignments.
The incumbent will support the improved integration of risk management and mitigation into the programming and operational cycle including in the formulation/design of projects, the selection of project managers/partners, and the monitoring, verification and auditing processes.
The Programme Assurance Associate will be expected to support the work of communities of practice in the areas of project control and assurance, provides support to field operations in monitoring the accuracy of project and partner related information in MSRP and other systems, and supports the annual process of auditing of partnership agreements.
The incumbent will be mindful of the 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.

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
- Keep up-to-date with all UNHCR rules, regulations and procedures on projects implemented by partners or direct implementation by UNHCR and support the effective application of them.
- Provide support for the risk management and quality assurance processes/exercises in programmes management, through partnership or by direct implementation.
- Track and verify that expenditure for direct implementation by UNHCR or implementing partners is in line with the approved budget.
- Ensure accurate and timely recording of all project related data and reports in MSRP and other required formats.
- Monitor open items according to the yearly workplan. Review supporting documentation for the selected, high value open items and contra items (opposite sign).
- Support the monitoring for compliance and quality assurance over processes and procedures related to projects (implemented by partners or direct implementation) project risks in collaboration with the relevant entities and report major risks to senior management.
- Provide input for the preparation of audit opinions for the review of the supervisor and subsequent use by senior management and external auditors.
- Work on actions for the clearance of outstanding audit recommendations and proposed solutions.
- Analyse project audit certificates (financial reports and management letters) and assist in the identification of financial and internal control risks, errors, fraud, and challenges related to project audits.
- Follow up with the operations on outstanding recommendations and propose solutions and monitor implementation of corrective measures. Support timely project closure in coordination with key stakeholders, follow up, if needed, with counterparts on outstanding audit recommendations and proposed solutions and actions undertaken.
- Monitor compliance with the year-end closing schedules.
- Provide support with the resolution of problems in the daily usage of MSRP and respond to Global Service Desk incidents or assign incidents to appropriate staff as necessary.
- Advise on improvements related to project management and internal controls.

- 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 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, Finance, Public Administration,
Business Administration, Auditing, IPSAS-Accrual Account/Basics,
Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Accountant (CA)
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Excellent communication skills. Work experience relevant to the job.

Desirable
Good knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures. Good understanding of accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). Working experience with ERP financial modules (such as PeopleSoft, Oracle or SAP).

Functional Skills
FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
FI-Financial auditing
IT-Computer Literacy
IT-ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Functional Knowledge
RM-Risk Management
(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 Attributes:

The desired candidate should bring solid experience in humanitarian programme support, and partnership management, with demonstrated ability to support project implementation oversight across both partner and direct implementation modalities, including cash-based interventions.
Experience in project audit and assurance is essential, including the ability to prepare audit-related inputs for management review and external audit processes. Strong skills in reviewing financial and performance reports, analysing audit findings, monitoring corrective actions, and examining supporting documentation are also required.
Ability to work effectively with multifunctional teams, partners, financial service providers, and other stakeholders, including through field missions, physical monitoring, and audit or project control support. Strong communication, coordination, and drafting skills, combined with the ability to provide practical solutions and sound technical advice in complex operational settings.
Sound knowledge of UNHCR financial rules, policies, and procedures, with good understanding of accounting principles, and financial recording for verification purposes. The ability to identify exceptions, irregularities, and control weaknesses, while ensuring alignment with approved budgets and annual workplans.

Desirable attributes:

Exposure to inter-agency coordination mechanisms, along with demonstrated ability to contribute constructively to partnerships, joint reviews, and harmonised operational approaches, would be considered a strong asset.
Direct Experience in supporting field-based project monitoring within UNHCR operations, as well as good knowledge of UNHCR programme design, results-based management, framework, and indicators, Familiarity with aligning financial recording with actual programme results would also be highly desirable.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc), FI-Financial auditing, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Functional Knowledge, RM-Risk Management

Certifications

Accounting - Other, Auditing - Other, Business Administration - Other, Certified Public Accountant - Other, Chartered Accountant (CA) - Other, Finance - Other, IPSAS_Accrual Account/Basics - Other, Public Administration - Other

Field Operations, Programme/Planning

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance