Somalia Humanitarian Affairs Officer, UNOCHA

I. Position Information

Title: Humanitarian Affairs Officer, UNOCHA (Two positions) Type of Contract: Temporary Appointment (Local) Level: NOA Duty station: Dhobley & Galgadud Duration: Six Months (with possibility of extension)

II. Organizational Context

Given the current crisis in Somalia, OCHA has to scale up support immediately to support the Humanitarian Coordinator in mobilization and coordination of an effective and principled humanitarian response. OCHA is particularly concerned about vulnerable communities and those at risk due to current drought and conflict. Under the leadership of the UN Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator for Somalia, OCHA maintains an office in Nairobi and a field presence inside Somalia; the primary objectives of OCHA Somalia include the following:

1. Advocate for access to basic services, especially water, sanitation, education and health for vulnerable communities, including collection, analysis and dissemination of information and negotiation of access.
2. Coordinate the implementation of humanitarian response in Somalia with UN agencies and programmes, national and international NGOs and local authorities/communities as appropriate with focus on strengthening the Cluster Approach.
3. Enhance a protective environment that respects the human rights of all, including IDPs, returnees and minority clan.

III. Key Functions: The Humanitarian Affairs Analyst will play a key role in ensuring the primary objectives of OCHA Somalia are met. This is expected to occur by contributing to the following:

Summary of Key Functions:

1) Information Collection in Support of response 2) Analyse humanitarian situation 3) Maintain coordination and cooperation mechanisms among stakeholders

1) Information Collection in support of response • Actively pursue the collection of field information to monitor and improve ongoing response, the coordination activities and information products. • Ensure timely and qualitative reporting to the Head of Sub-Office including regular weekly field reports and daily updates. • Gather and verify information on issues affecting the humanitarian situation, emphasizing opportunities for response • Establish relationships with key stakeholders in areas of operation to ensure humanitarian information flow from OCHA to partners and vice versa and ensure their participation in operations. • Provide support in focus groups discussions during assessments • Conduct interviews with beneficiaries either in person or through phone to enhance quality of information collected on needs and response • Support clusters and OCHA field offices in monitoring of ERF and CHF-funded projects 2) Analyse humanitarian situation

• Analyze political, security, social and economic developments and their impacts on humanitarian and protection needs, as well as the operating environment, by field travel and data collection from UN and NGO partners, with the ultimate aim of identifying humanitarian needs, strengthening a common situational analysis and improving response by the humanitarian community. 3) Develop and maintain coordination and cooperation mechanisms among stakeholders

• Support existing coordination mechanisms and assist in the establishment of new field coordination wherever required.

• Monitor humanitarian needs and response, compile information and liaise with the relevant humanitarian partners to support response efforts.

• Support the preparation and implementation of inter-agency field assessments and fact finding missions.

IV. Functions / Key Results Expected Play a strategic role in identifying humanitarian needs, response and gaps, access issues and other matters to be addressed within the region of responsibility. Timely delivery of outputs, in accordance with overall objectives and policies. Form strong partnerships with relevant parties to help meet OCHA’s objectives with respect to the coordination of humanitarian and emergency assistance.

V. Competencies and Critical Success Factors Corporate Competencies: • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNOCHA • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies: • Builds strong relationships with partners, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback. • Ability to manage complex problems proactively and effectively, including responses to emergencies. • Ability to work independently, with efficiency, competency and integrity with people of different national backgrounds. • Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude. • Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills. • Proven report writing skills

VI. Recruitment Qualifications Education: • Master’s Degree or equivalent in political science, sociology, law or international relations or related fields • A first level university degree with a combination of relevant academic qualifications and experience or other related field may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree with 5 years of experience Experience: • Up to 2 year of relevant professional experience, preferably in complex emergency and inter-agency contexts, dealing with relief and transitional issues. • Basic knowledge of social science, development, humanitarian relief issues, law or journalism is desirable • Computer proficiency, including working knowledge of e-mail and MS Office products (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) Language requirements: • Fluency in English is required. • Knowledge of Somali is mandatory and Arabic is desirable.

“Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit electronic application by visitinghttp://jobs.undp.org/.