Deadline for Applications

January 21, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

B

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Non Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA4

Target Start Date

2026-02-01

Terms of Reference

Operational Context:
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Iraq is currently at a turning point, leaving behind the effects of three decades of political turmoil and armed conflicts that deeply impacted its people. Since the end of large-scale military operations in 2017, Iraq has been experiencing relative stability and is advancing towards sustainable development. These developments notwithstanding, there remain protracted humanitarian and development needs.
 
Iraq generously hosts over 336,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, 90% of whom are Syrian and live in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.  Close to 83% of refugees in Iraq live in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Of these, some 32% live in nine refugee camps while the majority live in urban areas.
With the evolving situation in Syria, refugees and asylum-seekers in Iraq are closely following developments. In the first quarter of 2025, almost 12,000 Syrians returned home from Iraq, including 1,000 refugees registered with UNHCR. Overall, 12 percent of Syrian refugees in Iraq have expressed their intention to return home this year.
 
UNHCR works with the Government of Iraq and partners to support the access of refugees and asylum-seekers to protection and their inclusion in public services, such as education and healthcare, as well as their access to economic opportunities and in advancing solutions.
 
Iraq also has over 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). While the majority live in urban settings or informal settlements across the country, as of end March 2025, some 108,000 live in 20 IDP camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.  In early 2024, the Government of Iraq announced its intent to close the remaining IDPs camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. While many IDPs hope to return to their homes at some point, many may be unable or unwilling to do so because of their specific profiles or the situation in their areas of origin. UNHCR supports the efforts of pursuing durable solutions for IDPs, including the closure of camps, as solutions, including voluntary return, local integration and relocation are available to IDPs, enabling them to make decisions on a voluntary and well-informed basis.
 
In the evolving context in Iraq, UNHCR has transitioned from a purely humanitarian response to a response that supports development approaches. UNHCR’s multi-year strategy 2025-2029, therefore envisions that forcibly displaced populations and stateless persons in Iraq have improved access to legal protection as well as full and inclusive access to quality basic and protection services in national systems as well as economic opportunities. 
Desired Candidate Profile:
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The ideal candidate will have prior experience in the humanitarian sector, particularly in project or programme management within UNHCR or other UN agencies. They should demonstrate strong proficiency in Excel, with the ability to analyze complex financial and budgetary data, and to formulate, draft, and review project agreements.
The candidate should be highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently while maintaining strong stakeholder engagement and time management skills.
Additional requirements include:
- Knowledge of Kurdish
- Familiarity with multi-year programming cycles, implementation modalities, and related procedures
- Proficiency in UNHCR systems and tools such as COMPASS, PROMS, and Cloud ERP
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a Multi-Functional Team (MFT)
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in a multicultural team environment.
Instructions for applicants:
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- When completing the application, candidates are required to list all of their language skills – including their mother tongue. The three broad levels are A1/A2 ("Basic User"), B1/B2 ("Independent User"), and C1/C2 ("Proficient User").
- Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo a written test. Only successful candidates will be invited for the interview.
- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.Standard Job Description

Senior Programme Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Programme Assistant would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division. The incumbent 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 Senior Program Assistant.
S/he 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 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
- Provide administrative assistance and support in routine services and activities within Programme thus better able to meet the needs of persons of concern.
- 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 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.
- Guided by the MFT approach, support the development and implementation of 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, 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.
- Assist in ensuring compliance with issuance of audit certificates for partners in line with the Policy on Risk-Based Project Audits.
- Use UNHCR's ERP system for core activities related to planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting, generating data for evidence-based programmatic decisions and analysis.
- Actively contribute to 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 related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

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
(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.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Education

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No