Assistant Programme Officer

April 21, 2026

A (least hardship)

Family

NOA

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-01

Assistant Programme Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Assistant Programme Officer may be based in HQ, field/regional bureau, and would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division and may supervise a small team of local staff. The incumbent may refer to UNHCR’s Programme Manual (Chapter IV), UNHCR's corporate and regional strategic priorities, operation plans and other relevant institutional rules and regulations for further guidance.

The Assistant Programme Officer will support the provision of programmatic guidance and support with regard to the implementation of protection and solutions strategies within available resources. The incumbent will play a role in coordinating with the other sections/units to ensure harmonized programmatic approaches at all levels and throughout the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle. S/he will work in line with the overall UNHCR directions which crucially require working with partners, including with forcibly displaced and stateless persons, governmental institutions and the private sector, ensuring that programme management is approached as per UNHCR’s Strategic Directions, Global Strategic Priorities (GSPs), Global Compact for Refugees (GCR), corporate positions on SDGs.

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 in assessing and analysing the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless persons in a participatory manner, using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
• Provide support on programmatic aspects of developing multi-year protection and solutions strategies and annual plans with corresponding priorities taking into account corporate priorities.
• Support Results Based Management and programme capacity in light of evolving requirements, programming approaches and gaps.
• Assist the planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and the planning instructions.
• Contribute to the review and analyse of plans, mid-year and year-end reports of UNHCR offices in the region, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards.
• Assist with the provision of overall direction to broaden partnerships with key stakeholders in order to maximize the protection and solutions response for forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
• Contribute to the successful application of the framework for implementing with partners, including the effective implementation of the policy on selection and retention of partners, management of partnership agreements, risk-based project performance monitoring, and risk-based project audits, among others.
• Contribute to ensure consistent and coherent monitoring approaches, tools and systems within the Area of Responsibility (AoR), in line with global standards and polices.
• Actively contribute to UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contribute to improvements of programming tools and processes.
• Identify potential gaps and problems and in cooperation with other relevant sections recommend appropriate solutions to ensure the efficient implementation of programme activities.
• Assist in a timely and effective follow-up of internal and external audits observations and recommendations that relate to programmatic issues.

• 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
Economics

Business Administration

Social Sciences
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Demonstrated experience in programme management including familiarization with the OMC and sound knowledge Results Based-Management. Demonstrated experience in field operations, sound knowledge on the centrality of protection in programming, Joint Needs Assessments and the principles of targeting.

Desirable
Demonstrated experience in coordination within an inter-agency context and other actors, in a refugee or humanitarian context. Sound experience in program management training and capacity building activities.

Functional Skills
PG-UNHCR's Programmes
PG-Results-Based Management
PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate)
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
(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 is a national position offered under a Fixed-term contract for an initial period of 1 year.
Candidates applying to the position must be nationals of Dominican Republic or non-Dominican Republic already residing in the country with a valid work and residency permits which will be required to be attached to the application.

The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

Levels of language knowledge:
A1-beginner
A2-elementary
B1-lower intermediate
B2-upper intermediate,
C1-advanced/proficient
C2-fluent

Candidates may be required to sit for a written test.

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on United Nations salaries, allowances and benefits, visit the International Civil Service Commission web portal at http://icsc.un.org as well as https://careers.un.org/payandbenefits?language=en

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The National Office in the Dominican Republic, under the Multi – Country Office Panama, oversees operations in a complex operational environment characterized by the impact of the Haiti situation in the country. As the crisis in Haiti deepens, the government of the Dominican Republic has taken actions to control illegal migration, by constructing a border wall, increasing military presence, and controlling irregular migration entries. Deportations have increased, affecting vulnerable communities disproportionately affecting vulnerable Haitians nationals, including persons in need of international protection, Dominicans of Haitian descent, and mixed-status families. Working under the supervision of the Head of National Office, and in close coordination with the Programme Officer (Multi Country Office in Panama), the incumbent plays a key role in supporting the multi-year planning, implementation, reporting and monitoring of activities as assigned. The position requires close coordination colleagues in all offices and teams within the MCO Panama geographical coverage, partners and other counterparts to ensure effective delivery of UNHCR’s mandate.

Key Competencies & Experience:
- Proven experience in operational support, preferably within the UN system or international NGOs.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate logistics, compile reports, and support programme implementation.
- Demonstrated ability to compile and analyze qualitative and quantitative information, using different sources of information.
- Aptitude for systems, as the function requires operating several corporate programme and finance management systems.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills to liaise with diverse stakeholders.
- Capacity to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a multicultural environment.

Education & Technical Skills:
- Degree in Business Administration, International Relations, Social Sciences, or related fields is
desirable.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and data management tools in required.
- Knowledge of UNHCR’s programme management principles, and partnership management is required.

Languages:
- Mandatory: Fluency in English and Spanish
- Desirable: Working knowledge of French

Required competencies:
- Accountability
- Communication
- Organizational Awareness
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Client & Result Orientation
- Empowering and Building Trust
- Analytical Thinking
- Planning and Organizing
- Stakeholder Management

Spanish

,

English

,

French

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

The National Office in the Dominican Republic, under the Multi – Country Office Panama, oversees operations in a complex operational environment characterized by the impact of the Haiti situation in the country. As the crisis in Haiti deepens, the government of the Dominican Republic has taken actions to control illegal migration, by constructing a border wall, increasing military presence, and controlling irregular migration entries. Deportations have increased, affecting vulnerable communities disproportionately affecting vulnerable Haitians nationals, including persons in need of international protection, Dominicans of Haitian descent, and mixed-status families. Working under the supervision of the Head of National Office, and in close coordination with the Programme Officer (Multi Country Office in Panama), the incumbent plays a key role in supporting the multi-year planning, implementation, reporting and monitoring of activities as assigned. The position requires close coordination colleagues in all offices and teams within the MCO Panama geographical coverage, partners and other counterparts to ensure effective delivery of UNHCR’s mandate

Living and Working Conditions:

Comfortable and safe working and living conditions in Santo Domingo. The Dominican Republic is a relatively safe environment and therefore there are no significant UN-imposed restrictions. The security level is 2 Low. Need for security awareness, especially about criminality, when traveling to certain locations. A security briefing will be provided upon arrival by the UNDSS colleagues located in Santo Domingo.

The hurricane season in the Caribbean region normally extends from June to November. During this period Dominican Republic has frequently been impacted by heavy rains, tropical storms and hurricanes, which cause high winds, floods and landslides extensively damaging the infrastructure and severely disrupting human activities.

Dominican Republic is also prone to seismic activities and frequent small-scale events occur but pass unnoticed. The occurrence of a major earthquake is a permanent concern.
Road traffic accidents are frequent causes of injury and death due to inadequate road conditions, heavy traffic and poor driving procedures.

Vector borne diseases (dengue, malaria, chikungunya and zika) are endemic in the Dominican Republic. The water network is not reliable hence water borne contamination is present.
Santo Domingo has well developed modern infrastructure, office complexes, hotels, and apartment buildings. Recreational facilities including restaurants, theatres, symphonies, ballet, and shopping malls. Good private health facilities at international standards. International schools are available for foreigners in English, Spanish and French. Good and developed banking infrastructure.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PG-Results-Based Management, PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate), PG-UNHCR's Programmes

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance