Assistant Operations Officer

A (least hardship)FamilyFamilyNOANational Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular AssignmentNo2024-04-01February 4, 2024

Assistant Operations Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Operations Officer normally works under the direct supervision of the Senior Operations Officer/Coordinator or Head of the Office and will be the focal person responsible for liaising with Partners through sector meetings and other coordination mechanisms in the Area of responsibility (AoR) as deemed necessary and required by the senior management. S/he will also assist with management issues pertaining to the operations within the area of responsibility (AoR).
The incumbent does not normally have any direct supervisory role. S/he has daily contacts with staff in the various field offices and with the functional units at the Country/Regional Office. S/he also has close liaison with a range of local civilian and military authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest.

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
- Assist UNHCR's activities in the operations within the AoR, if necessary, through mission to the countries/operations covered.
- Keep abreast of the events that may affect the situation of persons of concern (PoCs) in the countries/operations under AoR and provide regular reports and relevant information on developments regarding the situation of PoCs as appropriate.
- Support the analysis of the operational context, early warning signs and the protection situation of PoCs.
- Contribute to the preparation of analytic papers to support recommendations for action for the country offices/operations.
- Assist in identifying potential gaps and problems and in cooperation with other relevant sections recommend appropriate solutions to ensure the continued efficient implementation of programme activities and effective coordination with other UN agencies and NGOs.
- In the bureaux, respond to queries and requests for assistance and guidance from the field, and follow-up where needed, in close coordination with other concerned focal points of the Bureau.
- In the field, contribute to project proposals, conduct needs assessment in various fields of assistance and support implementation of projects under the AoR.
- Liaise with operational partners on issues relating to the protection and assistance of refugees/IDPs and other persons of concern.
- Maintain a wide range of external contacts with Permanent Missions, donors, and civil society organization.

- 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
Public Administration; Economics; Social Science;
Business Administration; Law; or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Understanding of UNHCR mandate and operations.
Desirable
Experience in field operations. Experience working with UNHCR; or other UN entities or partners preferably in the area of refugee or humanitarian operations. Proven track record in emergency preparedness, response and management.
Functional Skills
MG-Field Operations Management
MG-Coordination
(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.

This recruitment process is open to: Internal candidates within UNHCR and Candidates with UNHCR Experience.
The candidate should have:
Knowledge of programme management and budget (re)allocations as well as resource mobilization and planning processes.
Knowledge of UNHCR’s Policy on Emergency Preparedness and Response, including resource allocation.
Excellent analytical and drafting skills.
Excellent command of the English and Spanish language, both written and oral.
In close coordination with leadership in the Bureau, demonstrate strong ability to facilitate and carry out coordination and regular interaction with country operations across the region.
Knowledge of regional coordination mechanisms, as the R4V, REDLAC and the MIRPS.
Knowledge of UN Reform, UN processes like UNSDCF and SDG / Agenda 2030.English

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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 Assistant Operations Officer NOA serves under the supervision of the Senior Operations Officer, within the Americas Bureau’s Operations team. Under the supervision of the Senior Operations Officer, he/she will provide support to the Americas country operations throughout the programme cycle, ensuring the implementation of planned activities is aligned with the needs of the people we serve, donor requirements and UNHCR’s strategic lines. He/she will facilitate coordination between the operations and the different teams in the Americas Bureau, to ensure the operations’ response is aligned with UNHCR’s vision. In this sense, he/she will develop tools to better visualize and monitor the Americas country operations’ compliance with internal norms and reporting requirements and the alignment of their activities with UNHCR’s commitments, strategies and established best practices. In regular communication with the Americas country operations, he/she is responsible to identify knowledge gaps and coordinate opportunities for capacity building. He/she will provide advice on topics such as emergency preparedness and management, resource allocation, contribution management and use of UNHCR platforms.
 

Living and Working Conditions:
Panama City is classified 'A' Duty Station (Family) and has good infrastructure (health, housing, banking, transportation, telecommunications, and recreational facilities) and good supply of goods and services, with no particular health hazards. -In terms of security Panama is relatively safe compared to other cities throughout Latin America and it is rated as security level '1 minimal' whereas for Darién Province (border with Colombia) it is security level '2 low'. The city is a communication hub and it is possible to fly to all countries of the region with direct flights and it offers good options for travelling in general. -UNHCR offices are located in the Canal Zone, in a green area outside the city centre called 'Ciudad del Saber' where most of the other UN Agencies are also located, as well as International Schools, NGOs and research centres, etc.

The cost of living is relatively high for the region (reflected in the post adjustment), especially for housing and health, but it is easy to find accommodation on the private market, including in the area of the office in houses or in the city centre towers in modern apartments. Most of the food is imported except for sea products and some fruits and vegetables. There is a wide range of international schools, several of them offering IB curriculum including some in the office area. -In terms of recreational activities, Panama being a hub for the purchasing of goods for neighboring countries, the city offers a lot of malls and doing shopping and going to malls is a common week end activity. Cultural offer is limited but there is a good offer of restaurants and a dynamic nightlife. Beaches on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts are reachable within one hour by car or by boat directly from the city and there are some options for hiking too. There is also a relatively good range of sports activities.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, 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