Project Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on December 14, 1950, by the United Nations General Assembly. Its mission is to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and pursue durable solutions to refugee situations worldwide. UNHCR's primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees and ensure access to asylum and international protection. Over the years, UNHCR has assisted tens of millions of people affected by forced displacement, working in partnership with governments, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders across diverse operational contexts. In the Asia and Pacific region, UNHCR operates within a complex landscape of emergency and protracted displacement, hosting over 15.7 million forcibly displaced and stateless persons. The organization has a significant presence in countries where national asylum systems remain limited or underdeveloped, and it continues to address the challenges faced by refugees and stateless individuals, including limited access to livelihoods, education, and essential services.

Job Overview:
The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall coordination of an EU-funded project aimed at supporting Afghan refugees in Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia, as well as returnees and internally displaced persons in Afghanistan. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Senior External Relations Officer in the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP), located in Bangkok, Thailand. The role involves developing project proposals, ensuring alignment with donor requirements, and preparing narrative and financial reports for the EU International Partnerships (INTPA). The Project Coordinator will also monitor implementation progress across multiple countries and serve as the principal liaison between UNHCR and EU-INTPA teams, maintaining close collaboration with UNHCR offices in the relevant regions. The position requires travel to project locations and within Afghanistan as necessary, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement and technical support throughout the project implementation period.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Project Coordinator include:

• Project Coordination & Monitoring: Developing project proposals and ensuring they align with donor requirements; coordinating and preparing narrative and financial reports for INTPA; monitoring implementation progress across multiple countries.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serving as the principal liaison between UNHCR and EU-INTPA teams in Brussels and field locations; maintaining close collaboration with UNHCR offices in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia; engaging with government partners and other stakeholders involved in the project.
• Technical Support: Providing guidance to UNHCR offices throughout the implementation period; working closely with protection, programme, external relations, and information management units.
• Travel: Traveling to project locations (Iran, Pakistan, Central Asia) and within Afghanistan as required.
• Monitoring and Progress Controls: Ensuring timely submission of project proposals and donor reports; holding regular coordination meetings with UNHCR offices and EU-INTPA counterparts; tracking and documenting implementation progress; ensuring compliance with EU-INTPA contractual and reporting requirements; identifying and mitigating risks affecting project delivery.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Project Coordinator position include:

• Education: An undergraduate degree with 6 years of relevant experience, or a graduate degree with 5 years of relevant experience in Political Science, Social Sciences, International Relations, or related fields.
• Work Experience: Experience in humanitarian operations in a field environment; strong knowledge of UNHCR operations at HQ and field level; proven experience in fundraising and programme management; experience engaging with EU-INTPA and other EU institutions; strategic analysis of EU regional and country strategies.
• Key Competencies: Core competencies such as accountability, communication, organizational awareness, teamwork and collaboration, and client and result orientation; managerial competencies including empowering and building trust, and judgment and decision-making; cross-functional competencies such as analytical thinking, innovation and creativity, and political awareness.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as Political Science, Social Sciences, or International Relations, with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, or a graduate degree in the same fields with at least 5 years of relevant experience. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian operations and the specific challenges faced by refugees and displaced persons.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Project Coordinator position includes a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience with an undergraduate degree or 5 years with a graduate degree. Candidates should have experience in humanitarian operations, particularly in a field environment, and possess strong knowledge of UNHCR operations at both headquarters and field levels. Proven experience in fundraising and programme management is also essential, along with experience engaging with EU-INTPA and other EU institutions.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, as it is essential for communication with various stakeholders and for the preparation of reports. Knowledge of additional languages, particularly those relevant to the regions involved in the project (such as Dari, Pashto, Persian, or Arabic), would be considered a valuable asset and is desirable for enhancing communication and engagement with local partners and beneficiaries.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the UNOPS IICA2 staff member/affiliate type and is not remote. The target start date for the position is February 1, 202

• The role is categorized under a hardship level of E, indicating a high level of hardship associated with the location. The position is non-family, meaning that staff members are not permitted to bring family members to the duty station. Additional notes regarding compensation, benefits, and contract duration may be provided during the recruitment process.