Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
A (least hardship)Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
FamilyStaff Member / Affiliate Type
UNOPS LICA8Target Start Date
2025-08-01Deadline for Applications
July 29, 2025Terms of Reference
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:• This position is advertised to internal applicants. Only Mexicans or candidates holding a permanent residency or valid work permit in México will be considered eligible (attach the corresponding document in the application).
• Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern, is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The selected candidate(s) will be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.
• Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might/could include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.
• UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).
• This position is offered under UNOPS Local ICA contract until 31/12/2025 with possibility of extension.
• Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations. UNHCR also offers comprehensive medical insurance and pension plans.
1. General Background
Over recent years, Mexico has evolved from being a country predominantly of origin and transit for many refugees and asylum-seekers, to also being a country of destination for hundreds of thousands of individuals seeking international protection from within the region and beyond. The exponential growth in the number of asylum applications in Mexico, which reached a historical record of over 140,000 in 2023 and close to 80,000 in 2024, has posed multiple challenges to its asylum system. Access to durable solutions became an important component of UNHCR’s strategy in Mexico. UNHCR seeks to protect the asylum space by strengthening the socioeconomic inclusion of asylum seekers and refugees, while alleviating pressure on host communities in Southern Mexico and the asylum system by promoting access to legal pathways to other countries for refugees with specific needs, and regularization alternatives for those not in need of international protection. Communication and awareness-raising campaigns become key to ensure that information on asylum procedures and durable solutions effectively reach target audiences. UNHCR has also started to engage with IDPs in Mexico both in terms of technical advice on legislation and policies, and direct operational response in certain prioritized locations.
The operation established an External Engagement Unit which deals simultaneously with Donor Relations, Resources Mobilization, External Relations, Public Information, Reporting, Inter-Agency Coordination and Partnership functions. The Assistant Monitoring and Evaluation Officer is part of a team tasked to maintain proactive dialogue with donor governments, as well as with the regional and local donors aiming at building relationships, raising awareness and mobilizing political and financial support for UNHCR’s work and priorities.
The incumbent’s primary role is to support the project management of grants, liaising different units and offices both within UNHCR and with external partners, in tight coordination with the Senior External Relations Officer and identified focal points, to ensure the timely and effective implementation of activities. The person will be tasked to properly develop detailed proposals and manage projects, with a focus on EU funded projects, and will be tasked with exploring the possibility to acquire additional funding. The incumbent will support the development of grant agreements and implementation of activities under EU/ECHO-UNHCR funding agreements.
The incumbent will support the development of grant agreements, reports, provide regular updates, briefings, missions, and support the monitoring of implementation of activities under funding agreements, among other activities that might be required by the unit. S/he will receive guidance from and be supervised by the Senior External Engagement Officer and will work in close consultation with other UNHCR units. S/he will also liaise with other sections or units in the regional and global offices, including the Division of External Relations (DER) in Brussels and the Regional Bureau in Panama. The incumbent will be a liaison point between UNHCR and donor delegations in Mexico and will have contact with other UN Agencies and partners, whenever joint proposals are to be drafted or for the follow-up of ongoing interagency funded projects. S/he will also liaise with other partners and other stakeholders whose activities might be of relevance to the implementation of the project
In addition to the tasks strictly related to the EU grants, the incumbent will also be part of the external relations team, responsible for the coordination and support of several inter-agency and interinstitutional initiatives. He/she will also act as backup in case of absence of other colleagues in the external relations/reporting units.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Under the functional supervision of the Senior External Relations Officer, the Assistant Monitoring and Evaluation Officer is expected to:
• Support the process of monitoring and of submission of narrative and financial reports by concerned field operations so that the EU delegation is informed of the use of their contributions and in a position to make qualified decisions about further contributions.
• Closely liaise with EE, PI and Programme sections to assure appropriate visibility of projects under his/her responsibility.
• Ensure timely and relevant information sharing and support as liaison between UNHCR and the EU delegation in Mexico on the development and implementation of EU projects, in close coordination with the Senior External Engagement Officer. Arrange meetings, and where applicable, organize consultations with consortium members and provide follow-up to the conclusions of these meetings.
• Maintain close dialogue with and provide information to the EU delegation about progress and challenges faced in relation to the project implementation, including responding to requests for information on ad hoc basis.
• In consultation with Programme and other units, negotiate grant agreements, striving for timeliness, predictability and maximum flexibility.
• Provide timely information and guidance on developments with the implementation of the projects for UNHCR to take appropriate actions/decisions.
• Provide technical advice to UNHCR Mexico operation applying for EU funds and support the development of quality proposals for funding and reports coordinated with respective field operations and the Reporting Officer.
• Keep the EU delegation well informed on UNHCR's operations, priorities and funding needs Mexico and the region and contribute to discussions to maintain/increase contributions.
• Serve as focal point for the development of key proposals as part of the External Engagement strategy.
• Support the preparation of thematic donors meetings and briefings, interagency working groups and support the review of inputs for the PDI and MIRPs, among other tasks related to the inter-agency activities.
• Contribute to the preparation and provide inputs for institutional reports.
• Support the operation with internal tracking and monitoring, including through usage of technological tools.
• Perform other duties as required.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Since the Assistant Monitoring and Evaluation Officer will be dealing directly with the design of grants, drafting of periodic and final reports, those will be the products expected to be produced throughout the duration of the contract.
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education
• Graduate degree in Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism, Communications or another relevant field.
b. Work Experience
• At least 3 years of relevant work experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
c. Key Competencies
Essential
- Advanced English Drafting and Communication Skills.
- Experience in proposal drafting within contexts of humanitarian/development operations.
- Excellent knowledge of local institution, politics and culture.
- Fund-raising and/or programming/programme management experience.
Desirable
- Experience of working with social media.
- Knowledge of a variety of different methods, procedures, and analytical skills is required to be able to complete the assigned tasks.
- Experience working with humanitarian stakeholders in Mexico.
- Strong capacity to develop and monitor budgets and LogFrames.
- Knowledge of Synergy is considered an asset.
Functional skills
- Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)
- Programme Management (project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards)
- Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
- Translation
- Communications/media/digital/social media.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
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Desired Languages
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Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Remote