Humanitarian Affairs Officer – P3

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD) of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is part of the UN Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. The Office also ensures that there is a framework within which all actors can contribute to the overall effort. Its mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective, principled humanitarian action, in partnership with national and international actors, to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies, defend the rights of people in need, promote preparedness and prevention, and facilitate the implementation of sustainable solutions.

This position – specific vacancy is advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer in Juba, South Sudan. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, OCHA South Sudan, the incumbent will act as the Secretariat of the Inter-Collaborative Coordination Group (ICCG) within the Planning Unit and report to the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Head of the Strategic Coordination Unit.

 

Responsibilities

Within the scope of delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following tasks:

– Monitor, analyze and report on humanitarian, relief/disaster management or emergency developments in the country/region concerned.
– Organize and prepare studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organize follow-up work, including inter-agency technical review meetings, to support policy work and decision-making on important issues.
– Participate in large-scale, complex projects, including disaster assessment and other missions; contribute to the coordination of international humanitarian aid in complex emergencies and disasters, and ensure the necessary support (personnel, funding, specialized equipment, supplies, etc.); draft situation reports for the international community, taking stock of the situation and specifying the unmet needs of affected countries.
– Collaborate with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programs and ensure that the latest findings, lessons learned, policy directions, etc. are integrated into these activities, including gender considerations.   
– Contribute to the production of appeals for international assistance; ensure the appropriate use and expenditure of donor contributions channeled through OCHA.
– Establish and maintain contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, the media, etc.
– Undertake and support technical assistance and other field missions, for example participating in field visits to undertake in-depth reviews of specific national coordination mechanisms.  Coordinate and organize the implementation of humanitarian program cycle activities with in-country partners, and liaise with headquarters and regional counterparts for advice on best practice in response planning and monitoring.
– Prepare analyses or position papers on key humanitarian policy issues to inform the humanitarian response team’s decision-making on humanitarian action. 
– Prepare or contribute to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. study sections, briefing papers, policy orientations, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc. 
– Act as the main point of contact for policy-related issues; keep abreast of the latest developments, liaise with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc., ensure appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provide information and policy advice on a range of related issues.
– Examine and advise on policy issues relating to the safeguarding of humanitarian principles and the effective delivery of humanitarian aid.
– Organize and participate in working groups, meetings, conferences and consultations with other agencies and partners on issues related to humanitarian and emergency aid.
– Provide guidance and, where appropriate, supervision to new or junior staff members.
– Perform other duties as required.

 

Competencies

 

Professionalism:  
Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian 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 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. 

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.

Accountability: 
Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

 

Education

 

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. 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.

 

 

 

 

Work Experience

 

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required.

A minimum of two (2) years 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 management of cash-based programmes or working with cluster mechanisms (as a lead, co-lead or cluster member) is required.

Experience leading/chairing inter-agency or inter-cluster coordination groups is desirable.

Experience leading/facilitating emergency response preparedness (minimum and advance preparedness actions) and/or the humanitarian programme cycle (HNO/HRP) at the country level is desirable.

Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN common system or in a comparable international organization is desirable.

 

Languages

 

French and English are the working languages of the United Nations 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 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 in accordance with established rules and procedures.

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

 

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.

 

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