Closing date: Saturday, 7 March 2015
Posting Title: Humanitarian Affairs Officer, P3
Job Code Title: HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER
Department/ Office
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Duty Station
NEW YORK
Posting Period
6 January 2015-7 March 2015
Job Opening number
15-HRA-OCHA-39359-R-NEW YORK (X)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
This post is funded for a finite period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the United Nations Operations and Crisis Center (UNOCC) in New York, as seconded by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This role involves shift work. The UNOCC operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer will participate in a 24/7 shift system, whereas he/she will be expected to work 12 hour shifts (on a rotational basis) with compensatory time off. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to the Head of the Research and Liaison Unit of the UNOCC. The functional responsibility for this profile rests with OCHA.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related peacekeeping, political, development and human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response. Ability to conduct independent research, synthesize information, exercise sound judgment and draft succinctly while working effectively in a stressful environment. Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian situation on a global basis. Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system and of NGOs. Strong computer literacy (Word, Excel, Power Point, databases, the Internet and electronic media applications). Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff. 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 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.
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. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area. At least three years of experience at the international level is required. Experience reporting on crisis is required. Field experience working in crisis countries during complex emergencies or natural disaster situations is desirable. Experience in the UN Common System is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required; Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
United Nations Considerations
Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.