HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER/ HEAD HUMANITARIAN FINANCING UNIT

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division, (OAD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.

This job opening is being advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit based in Yangon, Myanmar. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, OCHA Myanmar, the incumbent reports to the Deputy Head of Office, OCHA Myanmar.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU) will be responsible for the following duties:

I. Representation and Coordination

• Advise the HC and OCHA HoO on the Fund’s management and CERF processes, in conformity with prevailing policies and guidelines and aligned to the local context;
• Liaise as necessary with relevant OCHA Headquarters (HQ) sections including OAD, Country based Pooled Fund Section (CBPFS), CERF Secretariat, Donor Relation Section (DRS), and External Relations and Partnerships Section (ERPS);
• Represent the Fund, coordinating with all stakeholders, such as sectors/clusters, humanitarian partners, donors etc.;
• Assist the HC in preparing and facilitating Advisory Board (AB) meetings and other processes;

II. Allocations

• Manage and oversee allocation processes, ensuring necessary coordination with relevant counterparts in line prevailing guidelines and best practices;
• Monitor the implementation of Fund allocation strategies as endorsed by the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), in consultation with Head of Office, promoting coherence between humanitarian needs and response;
• Review and analyze humanitarian financing and programming issues at the country level to support CBPF and CERF allocations;

III. Financial Management

• Ensure proper financial management, overseeing recipient organizations’ compliance with applicable financial rules and undertaking verification activities in accordance with the CBPF Operational Manual;
• Develop audit plans of NGOs, oversee their timely implementation, and analyze findings to ensure proper follow-up and compliance with financial rules and regulations;

IV. Compliance and Risk Management

• Advise the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and the Head of Office (HoO) on compliance and risk management;
• Ensure the implementation of and the compliance with global policies and guidelines; • Develop the CBPF Operational Manual in line with the CBPF Global Guidelines;
• Ensure proper communication with, and support to, Fund recipients and other stakeholders throughout projects’ life cycles, promoting compliance with applicable rules and governance documents;
• Oversee the development, update, and implementation of the CBPF risk management framework;
• Ensure that grant agreements and supporting documents are accurate and in conformity with Global Guidelines and the CBPF Operational Manual;
• Conduct due diligence reviews, capacity assessments and performance assessments to establish eligibility of, and assign risk levels to NGO partners;
• Implement OCHA’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Suspected Fraud and Misuse of Funds, and on Response to Concerns of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, involving partners;
• Support the review of the Fund by the UN oversight bodies including the Board of Auditors (BoA) and Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS);

V. Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation

• Develop monitoring plans in line with CERF and CBPF guidance;
• Oversee the monitoring of projects to ensure the appropriate use of resources provided and promote learning and best practices;
• Systematically provide information on project status to the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), the Head of Office (HoO), donors, and relevant advisory bodies;
• Establish reporting schedules for projects and review and clear project reports;
• Support evaluations, reviews and studies as requested by the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and governing bodies, ensuring due consultation with HQ;

VI. Information Management, Analysis and Communications

• Ensure the appropriate use of the Grant Management System (GMS), maintaining all relevant information and data in a timely and accurate manner and performing data analyses as required;
• Conduct and update periodic analyses of humanitarian financing information, funding trends and requirements, gathering data from all relevant sources;
• Prepare and disseminate information, reports, and other communication products to different stakeholders about the Fund and its processes, including allocations and achievements (i.e., dashboards, feature stories, photographs/videos, websites, CBPF Annual Report etc.);

VII. Donor Relations

• Strengthen relationships with contributing donors through consistent and proper communication, ensuring timely reporting on the Fund’s activities and funding requirements;
• Develop key strategic partnerships with new donors to achieve a broader donor base for the CBPF;
• Coordinate with other donors, as necessary, to promote coordinated and complementary use of funding;
• In collaboration with DRS, support the HC and the HoO in developing and implementing Resource Mobilization Action Plans;

VIII. Management of Humanitarian Funding Unit (HFU)

• Plan staffing and operational requirements and corresponding budget for approval by the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and the Head of Office (HoO);
• Ensure timely recruitment, induction, training, and performance management in line with corporate frameworks;
• Promote a positive and respectful working environment, upholding OCHA’s duty of care relating to security, health, safety and well-being.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of Office (HoO).

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian issues, including specific knowledge of cash-based programming and cash coordination. 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 extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g., civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff. 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. 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 & 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work 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.

Humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is required.

Experience in areas of project management, monitoring and evaluation, and administration is required.

Experience management of humanitarian pooled funds is required.

Experience in the UN Common System or comparable international organization is desirable.

Experience in the Asia–Pacific region is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

The evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is funded for a finite period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-general and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers by established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record of integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

External candidates (including OCHA temporary appointees and OCHA national field staff) who are selected for a position in field duty stations may be strategically placed on a fixed term appointment limited to a specific position or a specific country office in accordance with the paragraph 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on the administration of fixed-term appointment which provides that an FTA may be granted to individuals who are “(b) Selected but not reviewed by a Secretariat review body for appointments limited to specific entities”.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.