Humanitarian Affairs Officer – P4  

Org. Setting and Reporting

 This position is located in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) secretariat, hosted within the Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB), Coordination Division, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in New York.

OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principles 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.

The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of the IASC Secretariat with a dotted line to the Chair of the IASC’s Emergency Directors Group (EDG).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides substantive support to the IASC with a particular focus on operations including in support of the IASC Principals and the Emergency Directors Group (EDG). Provides operational advice on key humanitarian crises; prepares background papers and analysis in support of the IASC and EDG deliberations and decisions on operational issues; advises on overall policy direction on assigned issues; and, more generally, reviews and provides advice on a diverse range of policy issues related to the IASC’s priorities. objectives.
• Prepares policy position papers and identifies policy and operational issues of strategic concern for consideration by the IASC and its subsidiary bodies, with a view to addressing structural challenges and gaps. In addition, contributes to the relevant workstreams of the IASC, including by providing technical advice on thematic issues with direct bearing on field operations and facilitating linkages with the EDG.
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management programmes or emergency situations, including in support of the IASC early warning and early action efforts, scale-up activations, cluster activation and de-activation..
• Facilitates EDG mission to countries of concern and contributes to the mainstreaming of efforts between the EDG and the IASC’s Peer-to-Peer team/missions. Facilitates engagement with key donors and member states on operational issues to enable the required support to high-risk crises. Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organizes follows-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues; and ensures the implementation of recommendations emanating from relevant studies.
• Assists or leads, as appropriate, in the preparation of IASC reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, background papers, policy guidelines, etc.; contributing or facilitating consultations to produce/ finalize guidelines/protocols for emergency preparedness and response; assisting Chairs/co-Chairs in highlighting and fostering synergies and connectivity between the various IASC structures and critical non-IASC entities/stakeholders; supports the Chair of the IASC and the EDG in monitoring the implementation of decisions, delivering on assigned tasks, and reporting bi-annually; supports information management efforts to raise awareness regarding IASC decisions.
• Partners with IASC member organizations and other key stakeholders to 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 IASC member organizations and other key stakeholders including UN secretariat entities, field leadership; ensures appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UN system.
• Serves as the primary focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of latest developments, ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues.
• Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
• May participate in planning and preparation of unit budget and work program.
• Provides leadership and work direction to assigned work team, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior officers.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of wide range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues.  Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response. Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Knowledge of region or country of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement.  Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery). Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations.  Ability to relate humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, economic, social and human rights programmes in affected country/region.  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

 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.

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.

At least three (3) years of experience directly supporting Humanitarian Coordinators and/or Humanitarian Country Teams during the past seven (7) years is required.

A minimum of three (3) years in the last seven (7) years of international field experience in aid operations is desirable.

Experience in humanitarian coordination in UN and inter-agency settings, of which at least three (3) years at field level is desirable.

Experience liaising with governments, clusters and, donors at field and global level is desirable.

Languages 

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.  For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial 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.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographical diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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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