National Field Officer, NO-A

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT No. 2011/OCHA/SS/002 – Re-Advertised


National Field Officer, NO-A (1 post)

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Southern Sudan invites applications from suitably qualified Sudanese citizens to fill the posts of National Field Officer (NOA) to be based in Kwajok, Warrap State in Southern Sudan.

Agency: UNOCHA
Post Title: National Field Officer
Duty Station: Kwajok
Level: NO-A
Type of Contract: Fixed Term Appointment (FTA)
Duration: 1 year renewable
Closing Date: 01 July 2011
Start Date: ASAP


TERMS OF REFERENCE

National Field Officer (NO-A)


I. Organizational Context


Under the direct supervision of the Head of Antenna Office at Kwajok and under the overall guidance of the Head of Field Coordination, the National Field Officer will be responsible for supporting and strengthening the capacities of the Government of South Sudan and humanitarian agencies to prepare for mitigate and respond to humanitarian emergencies in Southern Sudan. In particular, the national Field Officer will work with Head of Field Office to monitor and document ongoing and developing humanitarian crises, population movements, and humanitarian space and access within an assigned geographical area. S/he will support the coordination and implementation of inter-agency needs assessment missions, humanitarian response monitoring missions and other field work, and will strengthen humanitarian coordination mechanisms in the field.


II. Specific Tasks
• Support the Head of Antenna Office (HoAO) in serving as the key focal point within the humanitarian system for NGOs, UN agencies and Government partners within the assigned geographical area of responsibility. Be informed and able to represent the interests of humanitarian actors within a given state or sector and advise on humanitarian priorities and principles.
• Build collaborative and effective relationships with all actors, both humanitarian and non-humanitarian, to ensure that all available resources and actors are ready to support humanitarian operations when necessary.
• Organize, participate, and lead interagency needs assessments. Ensure key findings, recommendations and final assessment reports are widely disseminated and debated in the relevant forums. Ensure the follow up to the Plan of Action agreed upon on the basis of the assessed needs
• Together with the HoAO, ensure implementation of inclusive, field-level inter-agency humanitarian coordination mechanisms, including supporting the HoAO in conducting inter-sectoral coordination at the state level; support a particular sector(s) as requested, including by attending sector meetings, and help to ensure sector is meeting the minimum deliverables, providing support where necessary.
• Monitor and track all new humanitarian incidents. Document all developments and share through verbal or written reports/briefings with field-level implementing partners and the OCHA Head of Field Coordination in Juba.
• Support the collection of field information to improve coordination activities and effectively map areas of humanitarian needs and response activities.
• Contribute to the development of reporting and public information products through preparation of weekly internal field reports.
• Support the OCHA office by participating in, as needed, the preparation and hosting of high-level field visits and missions and assessments, lessons learned and evaluations.
• Work in close collaboration with Government authorities and seek opportunities to increase the humanitarian capacity of local authorities.
• Ensure the use of gender-sensitive needs assessment, needs analysis and response strategy development. Promote the use of the interagency agreed guidelines, sphere standards, criteria of intervention, and checklists agreed at inter sector level.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the HoAO.




III. Recruitment Qualifications


Education: • Masters degree (or equivalent) in Social Sciences or a relevant field.

Experience:
• At least 2 years experience in a similar position with an international organization engaged in relief and development work in the Sudan.
• Experience in conducting humanitarian assessments and in implementing humanitarian programs.
• Experience with humanitarian coordination, preferably in leadership roles.
• Experience working with Government of Southern Sudan humanitarian counterparts and capacity building.
• Understanding of humanitarian operations and principles
• Ability to communicate clearly with a demonstrated openness in sharing information and keeping people informed
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of actors under significant time and logistical constraints and deliver results.
• Excellent computer knowledge (Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint), E-Mail programmes (Lotus Notes preferred or MS Outlook), Internet search machines and responsible virus free internet usage.
• Knowledge of handling GPS receivers and Thuraya phone will be an added advantage.

Other Competencies: • Sound knowledge of and exposure to the field of humanitarian assistance and ability to identify humanitarian-related issues and to use knowledge/judgement in resolving potential problems, including ability to evaluate information from a variety of sources to assess the impact of the humanitarian situation in assigned field duty station/area/region/area
• Ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with wide range of actors, including Government, UN, and NGOs.
• Proven ability to manage complex information.
• Ability to identify priority activities and adjust them as required.
• Ability to identify the key issues in a complex situation, and come to the heart of the problem quickly
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Initiative, independence and sound judgment, maturity and team spirit, problem solving and action oriented



Language Requirements:
• Fluency in oral and written English is essential.


Interested qualified Sudanese citizens, especially those who come from the above-mentioned areas and who meet the above criteria should send their applications with updated UN Personal History Form (P.11) and updated CV by email to: OCHA-Sudan-HR@un.org, quoting the vacancy number not later than 01 July 2011; if this is not possible by e-mail, please hand-deliver or send your application in an envelope to the address below before the closing date.

UN staff members are requested to provide at least two Performance Evaluation Reports.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.