ORG. SETTING AND REPORTING:

This position is located in the Field Coordination Support Section (FCSS) in the Emergency Services Branch of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

· Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, particularly Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.

· Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and diplomatic missions and support the facilitation of bilateral and tripartite meetings on issues related to OCHA’s Jordan-Israel-Palestine Preparedness Project.

· Maintains and strengthens the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Regional Group in the Middle East region, including information dissemination, registration of INSARAG focal points, assisting Member States with requests, as well as the management and supervision of INSARAG regional networks.

· Participate in United Nations Disaster Assessment Coordination (UNDAC) and other emergency response missions, as required, and provide support to UNDAC missions in the field.

· Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organizes follow-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues.

· Participates in large, complex projects, to include disaster assessment or other missions; assists in the coordination of international humanitarian/emergency assistance for complex emergency/disaster situations and in ensuring the necessary support (e.g. staff, funding, specialized equipment, supplies, etc.), drafts situation reports to the international community, apprising of situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries.

· Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes and help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.

· Manages the production of appeals for international assistance; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA.

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

· Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.

· Undertakes and provides support to technical assistance and other field missions, e.g. participates in field trips to undertake in-depth reviews of specific country coordination mechanisms.

· Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc.

· 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.

· Reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.

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

· Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff.

· 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 and Regional Commissions; Desk Officers and other staff from the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Department of Public Information (DPI); Representatives of other UN humanitarian agencies and other member organizations in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee; UN Resident Coordinators in disaster-prone developing countries; UN Mission and Member State personnel with responsibility for humanitarian issues, non-governmental organization representatives, and the academic community.

Results Expected: Provides sound analytical inputs and advice that contribute to improving institutional capacity and articulates policy on a growing number of humanitarian and relief assistance issues. Takes action to identify humanitarian affairs and related issues/problems and develops creative approaches to problem resolution. Provides timely delivery of assigned outputs. Develops partnerships and interacts effectively with colleagues internally and externally.

COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the field of international emergency sudden onset disaster response in general and of disaster assessment and coordination in particular. Ability to work with Governmental organizations, Humanitarian Agencies and NGOs in disaster preparedness and response in the field and at Headquarters. Ability to work in extremely stressful situations (earthquakes and natural disasters and human misery) both in the field and Headquarters. 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. It is essential for the candidate to have significant skills in the methodology of international disaster assessment and coordination structures established on-site in disasters in the field and how this methodology can serve and complement the broader humanitarian architecture.

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.

PLANNING AND 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.

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required. Experience in working in the international disaster response environment in the field is preferred, including experience with the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Teams.

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the 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 Arabic is desirable.