Date of issue: 25 January 2013
United Nations Department: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)
Post title and Level: Humanitarian Affairs Officer (P-4)
Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: Four months
Entry on Duty: 22 February 2013
Vacancy Notice number: OCHA/G/07/2013
Deadline for applications: 01 February 2013
United Nations Core Values: INTEGRITY / PROFESSIONALISM / RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND REPORTING LINES
This position is located in the Humanitarian Coordination Support Section (HCSS) which is based in the Programme Support Branch (PSB) within the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Geneva. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of the Humanitarian Coordination Support Section.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties:
• Supports the development of an integrated training package on the Humanitarian Programme Cycle.
• Advises on overall policy direction on issues relating to humanitarian coordination; and, more generally, reviews and provides advice on related policy issues related to ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
• Provides technical support to field work specifically on humanitarian coordination; monitors, analyzes and reports on the coordination of humanitarian response.
• Assists in the production of cost and work planning for the Section; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through the UNOCHA.
• As requested, coordinates activities related to technical cooperation and technical assistance projects in disaster response; formulates project proposals and relevant project documents; assists or leads, as appropriate, in the preparation of the UNOCHA reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, background papers, policy guidelines and other documents.
• Partners with other humanitarian agencies to study and record good practice with regards to the coordination of complex humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes; helps ensure that latest findings, lessons learned and policy guidelines are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.
• Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, ensuring appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the United Nations system.
• Serves as the primary focal point on capacity building for humanitarian coordination or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors.
• Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian coordination-related matters.
• Provides leadership and work direction to assigned work team, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior officers; and performs other duties as required.
COMPETENCIES
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of wide range of humanitarian assistance and emergency relief issues, conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated United Nations response. Effectively leads and manages major projects and work teams and delivers in a timely manner outputs, in accordance with overall objectives and policies including a lead role in developing and supporting the implementation of an integrated training package on the Humanitarian Programme Cycle. Develops well-reasoned, innovative suggestions and approaches to deal with complex policy/technical issues. 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. Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems; knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs and knowledge of the institutions of the United Nations system; 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. 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.
PLANNING AND 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.
JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required. Experience dealing with inter-agency coordination with United Nations, Non-governmental organizations, and Donors is essential. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the Advanced university degree.
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.
Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both written and verbal skills) is required. Knowledge of the other language is desirable. Knowledge of other official United Nations languages, is an advantage.
OTHER SKILLS
Work implies frequent interaction through Coordination and Response Division the following: Staff at all levels within the UNOCHA both in New York and Geneva; Humanitarian Coordinators and their staff in the field, as well as Programme Managers, Regional Commissions United Nations Resident Coordinators in disaster-prone developing countries Representatives of other United Nations humanitarian Agencies and other member organizations in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee; United Nations Missions and Member State personnel with responsibility for humanitarian issues and non-governmental organization representatives; and delegations, government officials and partners in universities and research institutes, etc.
How to apply:
This temporary vacancy announcement is intended to fill functions of short-term duration. Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. All posts are subject to availability of funds.
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.
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.
Please state your full name and the UNOCHA temporary vacancy notice number (OCHA/G/07/2013) as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every vacancy announcement. Documents should be saved as pdf file, with the title formatted as follows: FAMILY NAME_given name.pdf. For example: PHP_GREY_Joe.pdf.
All applicants are requested to submit a completed personal history profile (PHP) to reynes@un.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org To generate a personal history profile please visit https://inspira.un.org
Note that an applicants’ eligibility cannot be fully assessed if the personal history profile is not properly completed.
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UNOCHA Humanitarian Affairs Officer (P-4)
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