Closing date: Saturday, 14 March 2015

Posting Title: Humanitarian Affairs Officer, P4

Job Code Title: HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER

Department/ Office: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Duty Station: GENEVA

Posting Period: 13 January 2015-14 March 2015

Job Opening number: 15-HRA-OCHA-39569-R-GENEVA (X)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

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.

This vacancy is subject to availability of post. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Inter-Cluster Coordination Section (ICCS) of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of ICCS.

Responsibilities

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

• Serves as a senior policy officer; advises on overall policy and operational direction on specific issues related to cluster and inter-cluster coordination; and, more specifically provides the Secretariat function for the Global Cluster Coordinators Group. Prepares GCCG meetings, and undertakes a number of global and field-level cluster and inter-cluster related activities, including guidance development and training, designed to enhance the functioning of the cluster system.
• Provides technical and policy support to OCHA field offices, and other stakeholders on a range of cluster and inter-cluster topics, including coordination and mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues into inter-cluster activities.
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management programmes or emergency situations in assigned country/area; develops and maintains a 'watch list' of countries with potential for humanitarian crisis.
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex projects, to include disaster assessment or other missions; coordinates international humanitarian/emergency assistance for complex emergency/disaster situations; ensures necessary support (e.g. staff, funding, specialized equipment, supplies, etc.); prepares situation reports to the international community, apprising of situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries.
• Assists in the production of appeals for international assistance; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA.
• Assists member states in capacity-building for handling emergency situations; develops country-specific indicators for countries of concern in collaboration with area experts and ensures the subsequent monitoring of these indicators; recommends actions based on the analysis of pertinent information.
• Initiates and coordinates activities related to technical cooperation and technical assistance projects in disaster response and disaster response preparedness; formulates project proposals and relevant project documents; provides technical support to field work; reviews and clears project reports for submission to governments.
• Analyzes and assists in introducing new technologies for disaster warning/management.
• Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organizes follows-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues; and ensures the implementation of recommendations emanating from relevant studies.
• Assists or leads, as appropriate, in the preparation of OCHA reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, etc.; with respect to the latter, takes the lead in providing support and information to relevant councils or other entities on specific issues.
• Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate complex humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes; helps ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.
• Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other 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, including on early warning and contingency planning, 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.
• Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
• May participate in planning and preparation of unit budget and work program.
• 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 and in the field, Global Cluster Coordinators, Humanitarian Coordinators and their staff in the field, 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.
• Delegations, government officials and partners in universities and research institutes, etc.

Results Expected

• Leads an effective GCCG Secretariat function, identifying significant issues and problems to be addressed.
• Develops well-reasoned, innovative suggestions and approaches to deal with complex policy/technical issues.
• Effectively leaders 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 of wide range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues.
• Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems.
• Knowledge of region or country of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions.
• Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement.
• Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery).
• Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system.
• Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations.
• Ability to relate humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, economic, social and human rights programmes in affected country/region.
• 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.

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.

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 qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required; at least four (4) years of that experience must be at the international level.
• Field experience in emergency situations (e.g.complex emergency, natural disaster etc) is required.
• Experience in coordinating global and field-level cluster and inter-cluster related activities is desirable.
• Relevant experience in the UN common system and OCHA is desirable.

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 another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment Method

• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

United Nations Considerations

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.