Programme/Solutions Officer

Programme/Solutions Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The UNHCR Tanzania operation is a multi-year planning pilot and as such the country operation planning is informed by the 2016-2018 Multi-Year, Multi-Partner Protection and Solutions Strategy approved by the Senior Executive Team as part of the 2016 Annual Programme Review process.  In ensuring the operational standards and practices in solutions delivery at the country level, the Programme/Solutions Officer is central in ensuring that project design and programming is in line with and supports the achievement of the Multi-year, Multi-partner Protection and Solutions Strategy 2016-2018. The Programme/Solutions Officer reports directly to the Senior Programme Officer, and is responsible for the durable solutions related project designing and programmatic issues. The incumbent will benefit from functional guidance from the Senior Programme Officer, and work closely with Programme and Protection Units as well as UNHCR field offices.  S/he will also benefit from support from technical units at HQs as appropriate and under the overall direction of the Snr Programme Officer/Deputy Representative. UNHCR Manual, programme objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Programme/Solutions Officer. S/he is also expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the region by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments. External contacts are predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization's programme (e.g. counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments).
UNHCR is one of the founding organisations and an active partner in the Solutions Alliance Tanzania national group. The Programme/Solutions Officer will, under the guidance of the Senior Programme Officer/Deputy Representative, liaise closely with the Solutions Alliance on relevant issues, including on joint analyses, programming and coordination on displacement as a development challenge.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- The needs of persons of concern in the country are assessed and analysed in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning.
- Programme activities are developed based on the Multi-Year, Multi-Partner Protection and Solutions Strategy, to ensure that interventions yield protection and solutions outcomes identified as priorities by persons of concern, UNHCR and partners.
- IP agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures.
- The fundraising actions are fully supported by maintaining regular contact with donor representatives and by submitting project funding submissions and appeals.

Responsibility
- Through a consultative process within the country and field visits, assist in the development of strategies, methodologies, contingency plans that respond to new and emerging operational challenges for the country, with focus of in-country solution oriented approaches.
- Assist in the process to develop and maintain strategic partnerships with UN and other development agencies, civil societies and the private sector to bring area-based development programmes to communities hosting PoC, in particular in Tabora and Katavi Region, as well as in Kigoma Region where the area-based development programmes was led by RCO. The Programme/Solutions Officer will support the development of the next 3-5 year multi-partner Protection and Solutions Strategy.
- Liaise with and support as appropriate the Solutions Alliance Tanzania national group.
- Ensure that global strategic priorities (GSP) and regional priorities as well as information on projected resource availability guide the planning parameters.
- Assist in developing the country operations plan in compliance with global strategic priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning instructions.
- Assist in managing a consultative process to ensure a consistent application of UNHCR¿s policies/practices related to and where applicable to UN cooperation, integrated missions, ¿Delivering as One¿ initiative (Tanzania is a pilot country for DoA), Common Humanitarian Action Plans, UNDAP etc. Assist in the process to ensure a consistent application of the organization¿s criteria and policies for the selection of implementing and operational partners.
- Manage the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities.
- Guide and train UNHCR as well as implementing partners (IP) staff in UNHCR standard procedures related to the Results Based Programme management.
- Undertake proper collection, use and monitoring of baselines, standards and indicators needed to measure and analyze UNHCR¿s performance, trends and target interventions. In this endeavour, work closely with Protection, Livelihoods and other sector specific staff on maintaining the technical quality of and coordinating the data collection in connection with baseline and monitoring.
- Undertake field visits to evaluate and improve the planning, programming, implementation and monitoring of assistance projects.
- Implement the establishment of sound monitoring processes, review final reports and on progress in order to advise on any corrective actions required or the need for additional resources to reach planned target levels.
- Apply UNHCR¿s corporate tools (e.g. Global Focus, Focus Client) to record data and assess the technical soundness of the operation and generate data for evidence-based decisions at the country-level.
- Assist in managing a transparent, consultative and responsible process for the approval of the country-level budgets and the allocation of resources.
- Assist in monitoring compliance to the organization¿s resource allocation framework, providing support and taking corrective action where required.
- Ensure compliance in issuance of audit certificates for Implementing Partners.
- Monitor the implementation of IP Risk Management techniques and tools.
- Perform other duties as required.

Authority
- Provide inputs for the country operations plan (including budgets, staffing levels and structures) as well as prepare funding submissions, appeals and reports.
- Negotiate implementing partner agreements.
- Represent UNHCR in UN fora dealing with operations management and programmatic issues.
- Enforce compliance with UNHCR¿s global strategies, protocols and guidelines.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Advanced university degree in Economics, Development, Politics, Business Administration or related field.
- Minimum of 6 years (8 years with university degree) of relevant work experience in government, UN, bi/multilateral donor agencies, development agency, civil society or private sector.
- Knowledge of (inter)national strategies for multi-partner solutions and humanitarian/development programmes;
- Demonstrated experience in programming, planning, designing/ implementing strategies, especially community-based approaches would be an added advantage.
- Proven experience in programming for solutions, and understanding of UNHCR¿s programming cycle.
- Experience in working effectively with government authorities.
- Excellent conceptual and analytical capability.
- Strong coordination, stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
- Excellent drafting skills in English with an ability to present information in a concise, coherent and useful manner.
- Fluency in oral and written English required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Completion of the UNHCR Learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.
- Good knowledge of UNHCR financial rules, procedures and processes.
- Knowledge of UNHCR specific programmes (MSRP, Focus, etc.).
- Computer skills (in MS office).