Date of issue: 29 November 2011
Post title and level: Humanitarian Affairs Officer – UN Civil-Military Coordination P-4
Duty station: Juba, South Sudan (Republic of)
Duration: Six Months
Expected Entry of Duty: As soon as possible
Vacancy Notice number: OCHA/G/57/2011
Deadline for applications: 06 December 2011
United Nations Core Values: INTEGRITY / PROFESSIONALISM / RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: The Humanitarian Affairs Officer – UN Civil-Military Coordination (CMCoord) position will be located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) South Sudan, based in Juba. The incumbent will be under the leadership and guidance of the Head of OCHA Office for South Sudan.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Within delegated authority the Humanitarian Affairs Officer – UN CMCoord will perform the following tasks:
Adviser on Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination: Establish the necessary links with Senior Military Officers in International military Forces and National Military Forces, Military Liaison Officers (MLO), and personnel in UN agencies, including any relevant civilian mission staff, and civil-military coordination personnel of appropriate NGOs; Monitor, analyze and report on any major accomplishments and progress as well as identify and follow up any potential or actual friction points in relations between the humanitarian and military communities; Serve as the primary focal point for all matters including policy related to civil-military coordination in close consultation with the Head of OCHA South Sudan or Humanitarian Coordinator; Prepare, or provide substantive input in the preparation of, policy, position papers and reports on civil-military coordination issues for presentation to various agencies throughout the UN system and IASC members. Contribute to the Office regular reporting on civil-military coordination issues; Policy and Advocacy: Lead the development of country-specific guidelines on civil-military relations, based on the current “Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets in Disaster Relief” and “Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets to Support UN Humanitarian Activities in Complex Emergencies”, as well as the “IASC Reference Paper on Civil-Military Relationship in Complex Emergencies”, the IASC Discussion Paper and Non-Binding Guidelines on the “Use of Military or Armed Escorts for Humanitarian Convoys”, applicable Security Council resolutions and other relevant Instruments; Ensure that the country-specific guidelines, and the generic guidelines mentioned above are properly disseminated and understood by both the humanitarian actors and the military forces present, as well as by local actors, as appropriate; Promote and ensure adherence to the above Guidelines within the entire humanitarian community and advise on potential consequences if these principles are compromised; Organize, workshops on Civil-Military relations in the mission, advocating adherence to applicable guidelines and principles and focusing on positive examples; Contribute to a positive working relationship between relevant international military and IASC members; Act as an advocate for the promulgation of UN-CMCoord concepts, humanitarian principles and activities, the promotion and protection of principles and the dissemination of UN-CMCoord related guidelines; Establish and maintain UN-CMCoord Network: In this context, establish and maintain dialogue and coordination with the military and security forces in the area of responsibility; Identify, establish and maintain contact with the appropriate military counterparts, especially international military force deployed, and ensure mutual exchange of information about ongoing humanitarian activities and issues; Advise the military forces in the area of responsibility on international humanitarian coordination mechanisms; These mechanisms may include the UN Country Team, UN Security or Disaster Management Teams, Humanitarian Clusters, etc.; In parallel, establish and maintain contact with humanitarian actors in the area of responsibility and serve as an information channel and advocate for their issues with relevant military/paramilitary organizations; Lead or participate in working groups, meetings and consultations with other UN agencies and humanitarian partners; Organize meetings on UN-CMCoord matters with Heads of Agencies and/or other appropriate entities; Establish and maintain, if appropriate, an information exchange forum for stakeholders and interested parties in civil-military relations and participate in relevant meetings; Humanitarian Affairs: 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; 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; Perform other duties as may be requested by the OCHA Head of Office, the UN-CMCoord Team Leader and/or the Head of Sub-Office as applicable.
Competences
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related 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 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 rights situation in assigned country/area; Ability to work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery) and under difficult living conditions; Ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Extensive experience as a CMCoord Officer and/or significant experience as a military officer interacting with humanitarian organizations is highly desirable; Completion of the UN training in civil-military coordination (UN-CMCoord) course and UN-CMCoord Officers’ Course is highly desirable; Field experience is an advantage; Previous experience in and good knowledge of South Sudan is an advantage.
COMMUNICATIONS: 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 the 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.
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.
Qualifications & Experience
EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international relations, political science, law, management, or similar specific field of study; A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination of qualifying relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.
WORKING EXPERIENCE: A minimum seven years (7) of progressively responsible professional field and/or headquarters experience in humanitarian affairs of which at least three (3) years should have been in the area of civil-military coordination and/or crisis/emergency relief management; Previous experience with OCHA in civil-military coordination or with the military in major humanitarian operations is a asset.
LANGUAGE: For this particular post fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. All posts are subject to availability of funds.
Applications from qualified female candidates and from nationals of non- and under-represented countries are particularly encouraged.
Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions at the same level in other field duty stations.
Candidates will be expected to move periodically to new functions throughout their careers and are subject to the assignment by the Secretary-General to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations.
Upon selection candidates will be subject to satisfactory reference checks to be completed by the recruiting department/office which shall include verification of the highest required academic qualification(s) and record with the last employer.
How to apply: All applicants are requested to email the following documents to Alan Butterfield atbutterfielda@un.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org
- Cover letter, explaining why you consider yourself qualified and motivated for this particular position;
- Completed Summarized Personnel Information Form;
- Completed P-11 and P-11 Supplementary Forms.
All Application Forms can be found by clicking on the following link: http://ocha.unog.ch/OCHAvacancies/
Please state your full name and the OCHA vacancy notice number (OCHA/G/57/2011) as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every vacancy announcement.
"The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees). Also, the United Nations does not concern itself with information on bank accounts".
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