Humanitarian Affairs Officer P-4

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer will report to the Chief of the Surge Capacity Section (SCS) with the Emergency Services Branch (ESB).

Strengthening the mainstreaming of gender equality programming and the protection response is critical in humanitarian action. To achieve this, pools of experts to provide technical support and to advise to Humanitarian Coordinators, Humanitarian Country Teams and clusters is required. The aim of this post is to further plan, monitor, implement and evaluate one inter-agency standby roster s of gender experts and provide backstopping support to the protection inter-agency stand-by capacity roster.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Within limits of delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Initiates and coordinates activities related to technical cooperation and technical assistance projects in humanitarian action with an emphasis on the management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of standby, surge and roster programmes for humanitarian response; formulates project proposals and relevant project documents; provides technical support to field work; reviews and clears project reports for submission to donors.

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management programmes or emergency situations in assigned country/area;

• Assists in the production of appeals for international assistance; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA.

• Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organizes follows-up work, including inter-agency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues; and ensures the implementation of recommendations emanating from relevant studies.

• Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate the impact of gender and protection expertise provided to complex humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes; helps ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender and protection-related considerations.

• Establishes and maintains contacts with UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.; ensures appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UN system.

• Serves as the primary focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc., ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues.

• Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.

• Participates in planning and preparation of unit budget and work programmes.

• Provides leadership and work direction to assigned work team, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior officers.

• Performs other duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

Staff at all levels within OCHA both in New York and Geneva; Humanitarian Coordinators and their staff in the field, as well as Programme Managers, Regional Commissions; Desk Officers and other staff in DPA, DPKO and DPI; UN Resident Coordinators in disaster-prone developing countries; Representatives of other UN humanitarian agencies and other member organizations in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee; UN Mission and Member State personnel with responsibility for humanitarian issues and non-governmental organization representatives; and delegations, government officials and partners in universities and research institutes, etc.

Results Expected: Plays a lead role in identifying significant issues and problems to be addressed. Develops well-reasoned, innovative suggestions and approaches to deal with complex policy/technical issues. Effectively leads and manages major projects and work teams and delivers in a timely manner outputs, in accordance with overall objectives and policies. Serves as an effective spokesperson internally and externally and forms strong partnerships with relevant parties to help meet organization’s objectives with respect to overall policy initiatives and coordination of humanitarian and emergency assistance.

COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and demonstrated expertise in management for humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights situations including standby roster partner management and support. Understanding of the humanitarian reform issues including cluster approach and Humanitarian Coordination Strengthening. Has a thorough knowledge of humanitarian coordination systems including UN, NGOs and IGOs. Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including evaluation and integration of information from a variety of sources. Ability to work under pressure, on occasion in a stressful environment. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender and protection perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

PLANNING& ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management or related area is required. A minimum of one (1) year experience in humanitarian situations in the field is required. Experience in standby partner roster management in humanitarian situations would be an asset.

Education:Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Relations/Studies/Political Science/Law or related field. A combination of relevant academic background (at least a first level university degree, Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and extensive relevant professional experience in a related area may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

Languages:English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

How to apply:

The position is intended to fill functions of short-term duration This temporary position is for an initial until 31 august 2015. All posts are subject to availability of funds.

Please state your full name and the temporary job opening notice number OCHA/G/93/2014 as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every temporary job opening announcement. Documents should be saved as pdf file, with the title formatted as follows: FAMILY NAMEgiven name Doc-t type.pdf. For example: GREY_Joe _PHP.pdf.

All applicants are requested to submit a completed personal history profile (PHP) to Emily Walkerwalker5@un.org and Irene Ngigi ngigi@un.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org. Please indicate the temporary job opening numberOCHA/G/93/2014 in the Subject of your e-mail.

Note that applications to United Nations Secretariat positions can be generated in the new Inspira recruitment system. We encourage you to create an electronic personal history profile and to apply to these and other positions for which you are interested and qualified at http://inspira.un.org

Note that applicants’ eligibility cannot be fully assessed if the personal history profile is not properly completed. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

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Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her; in this context, all staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers In accordance with established rules and procedures.

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