Junior Professional Officer (JPO) at P3 level, Associate Expert in Humanitarian Affairs Officer

I. Overview

Through USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), the United States sponsors qualified U.S. citizens for employment in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program.

These fully funded JPO positions strengthen the humanitarian coordination capacity of UNOCHA. They further encourage U.S. citizens to become active members of the international community. After completing their JPO assignments, a number of JPOs successfully compete for positions at UNOCHA, and in other international and non-governmental organizations.

II. General Information

Title: Associate Expert in Humanitarian Affairs Officer

Sector of Assignment: Humanitarian Affairs

Organization/Office: UNOCHA/ERPS

Duty Station: New York City, NY, USA

Date Required: As soon as possible

Duration: 1 year (with possible extension for another year)

III. Background Information

Organizational Structure:

The External Relations and Partnerships Section (ERPS) based in New York is part of the Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Branch which leads the development of OCHA's partnership agenda with the objective of building and sustaining strong relationships with Member States, Donors, Regional Organizations and the private sector to ensure that humanitarian action and coordination generates diverse political, technical and material support.

The overall purpose of ERPS is to maintain, nurture and support relationships between OCHA and the Member States, Regional and Intergovernmental organizations from the New York base and with agreed priority partners in support of effective humanitarian action. It also aims to ensure coherence in approach to a number of priority partners, in close consultation with the Partnership Coordination Section in Geneva.

UN competencies:

· Professionalism: Ability to identify issues and judgment in resolving problems. Ability to conduct research, including evaluation and integration of information from a variety of sources. Ability to work under pressure, on occasion in a stressful environment. 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.

· 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.

· 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.

IV. Eligibility

Education: Graduate or law degree in fields including but not limited to humanitarian affairs, international relations, human rights, disaster management, public policy or a related field.

Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in external relations, donor relations, diplomacy, or partnerships with Member States and/or Regional Organizations in international or multi-cultural settings is required. Experience in the field working on emergency preparedness or crisis/emergency relief management is preferred. Professional experience and knowledge in the context of UN activities, mandates and core policies would be an advantage.

Other skills: Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system, familiarity with humanitarian principles and practice and relevant experience at UN headquarters and in field operations is desirable. Proven aptitude and demonstrated experience with representation, advocacy and liaison on a range of international policy issues is an advantage.

Languages: Proficiency in at least one U.N. working language in addition to English is preferred. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Excellent command of oral and written English is essential for this position.

Work Location: New York City, NY, USA

V. Duties

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of the External Relations, the incumbent will support the activities related to the implementation of the External Relations and Partnership Section Plan of Action. He/she will be responsible for partnership building, relationship management and resource mobilization with various partners including Member States and Regional and Intergovernmental Organizations.

Main Duties include:

• Support the implementation of OCHA’s partnership outreach in New York, including by leading/co-leading OCHA’s partnership outreach towards an assigned geographical region, in close coordination with other sections and branches.

• Build and strengthen partnerships with a broad range of humanitarian actors, particularly Member States and Regional Organizations to ensure continued political support for coordinated, principle-based and accountable multilateral humanitarian system and for OCHA's pivotal mandate and role therein.

• Contribute to enhancing OCHA’s strategic understanding of and engagement with Member States and Regional Organizations including through conducting stakeholder analysis on specific crisis and drafting analytical and strategic partnership profiles.

• Advise the Section Chief, Senior Managers and other OCHA Branches and Sections on policy issues of concern to partners in the context of OCHA’s Strategic Framework.

• Provide support to OCHA managers and colleagues in evaluating and developing existing and potential partnerships.

• Contribute towards OCHA’s resource mobilization efforts, including for corporate emergencies and through widening of OCHA’s donor-base.

• Support resource mobilization to the humanitarian system, including through CERF and Country-based Pooled Funds.

• Support OCHA outreach and resource mobilization activities during high-level events including the UN General Assembly summit, the annual CERF high level conference, ECOSOC HAS, the humanitarian week and Humanitarian Response Plan(HRP) Launch events, among others.

• Contribute to the planning and organization of high level initiatives at headquarters and at regional hubs around the world that aim to speak to the state of humanitarian action and foster debate about a more inclusive multilateral humanitarian system that meets the financial, operational and political challenges to come.

• Support the planning and organization of outreach events including All Member State briefings, Humanitarian Liaison Working Group (HLWG), the OCHA Donors Support Group (ODSG), as well as other ad hoc outreach events.

• Backstop the portfolios of other Officers and accept portfolio reassignment when required (e.g., during corporate emergencies).

• Support the USG and ASG, Senior Management Team (SMT’s) and other OCHA Liaison Offices (LO’s) and Regional Offices (RO’s) as required, including giving input to background notes, talking points and other briefing materials ensuring that the partnership perspective is well reflected in OCHA’s engagement with Member States.

HOW TO APPLY:

VI. Application Instructions

The JPO Program selection process is carried out jointly by USAID/OFDA and the United Nations. To apply, please send a completed UN Personal History Statement (P11) (see link below) toJPOCoordinator@ofda.gov. Please state which position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. If you wish to apply for both positions, please complete a Personal History Statement (P11) for each position and submit these to us in separate emails with the appropriate subject heading.

Application Details

Please complete the UN Personal History Statement (P11) thoroughly. The P11 provides the opportunity to include all required information in one document, including your professional work experience and references. Please attach a cover letter to explain your interest in the position and interest in working with the UN, along with a general resume. The P11 has instructions on how to complete the profile; however, please be sure to also follow the additional instructions below:

· The P11 must be completed in English only.

· You may leave the signature/date sections blank at this time. If selected for one of the positions, you will then need to submit a signed version.

· Do not submit a photograph.

· Please attach a cover letter to explain your interest in the position and interest in working with the UN.

· Application deadline: April 29, 2016, 5:00 PM EST

· For more information please consult the Frequently Asked Questions–www.ofdajobs.net/portal/files/forms/FAQ_JPO_OFDA92115.docx

· To apply please go to the OFDA job website: http://www.ofdajobs.net/portal/jpo.aspx

· Hyperlink to P 11: www.ofdajobs.net/portal/files/forms/P11Form.doc