Humanitarian Affairs Officer-UNOCHA-(Nationals Only)

This position is open to Syrian Nationals Only

BACKGROUND

The incumbent supports the implementation of OCHA’s mandate focusing on the following sets of activities:

a) improving inter-agency humanitarian preparedness and response;

b) improve access to areas in need;

c) development of humanitarian information networks and databases; and

d) strengthen coordination with national actors.

Position Purpose: 

OCHA works with humanitarian partners in the country.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the overall guidance of the Head of the Office and under direct supervision of the Head of the Access Unit, the incumbent is expected to perform the following tasks: 

• Support the overall implementation of the office and unit work plans.
• Undertake detailed analysis of the prevailing humanitarian situation, e.g., assess the humanitarian situation in conflict areas, report on IDP and other population movements, and identify humanitarian needs and gaps in the response.
• Assists the Head of the Access Unit in building synergies and facilitating collective understanding and analysis around access impediments among humanitarian partners.
• Assists the Head of the Access Unit in the engagement with relevant actors (e.g. government, armed groups, communities, etc.) on humanitarian access issues.
• Contributes to the development of a network of local contacts among key stakeholders, including authorities and the humanitarian community to identify, monitor, and analyze key access constraints in collaboration with relevant OCHA colleagues.
• Supports analysis of access data and incidents – including bureaucratic impediments, identifying trends and providing context and stakeholder analysis.
• Liaises with humanitarian partners to promote and encourage systematic reporting of access constraints.
• Ensures the daily reporting, classification and documentation of access incidents (database of access incidents) through the Access Monitoring and Reporting Framework (AMRF)
• Ensures the active verification of access-related incidents with relevant stakeholders.
• Works with relevant stakeholders to track and analyze security incidents impacting operations.
• Supports the Head of the Access Unit with situational analysis on access-related issues, including through regular field visits.
• Supports the Head of Access Unit in access negotiations, including preparations, roll-out, and follow-up.
• Undertakes travel to field locations on a regular basis to support OCHA sub-offices in undertaking access analysis and supporting humanitarian negotiations.
• Provides technical support to field offices as relevant and required.
• Maintains a contact list of relevant stakeholders and access influencers.
• Supports the preparation of policy papers, lessons learned, and operational good practices related to humanitarian access.
• Maintains a record/ institutional knowledge on access issues, past negotiations, etc.
• Supports the creation of the Access Unit deliverables (data collection, entry, quality, control and analysis)
• Supports the preparation of the Access analysis documents, talking points, presentations, etc.
• Works with the OCHA Information Management Unit (IMU) to visualize access incidents and trends through regular internal coordination meetings.
• Maintain a close working relationship in the field with the relevant government officials to ensure appropriate communication.
• Conduct field visits with the aim to improve the humanitarian response.
• Assist in the monitoring of projects funded by SHF and work closely with HFU colleagues to analyze the impact of humanitarian access on project implementation.
• Assist in the preparation, planning and implementation of Inter-Agency humanitarian convoys.
• Assist with and attend regular coordination meetings as appropriate.
• Provide technical support to sectors as requested.
• Assist in the establishment and maintenance of contacts with other UN agencies, NGOs, other humanitarian actors, and relevant government counterparts.
• Support sectors to improve the efficiency of the humanitarian response through effective analyses to improve humanitarian access.
• Perform other duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following: 

• UN agencies
• International and national humanitarian actors
• Relevant Government authorities

Impact of Results:

The key impact is a timely and coordinated humanitarian response that responds to assessed needs, identifies gaps, and addresses these in a coherent manner.

Competencies

Functional Competencies: 

Professionalism: A wide range of knowledge on humanitarian assistance, emergency relief, and related human rights issues.  Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include the 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/regions.  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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.

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.

Qualifications:

Education:  

• A Master’s Degree or equivalent in business administration, economics, project management, or any other related field is required.

OR

• first-level university degree in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years (Master’s degree) or 4 years (First-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in business administration, economics, project management, or other related field is required.
• Two (2) years of relevant experience in the field in the coordination of humanitarian or development programmes and project management is required.
• Experience working in humanitarian access or CMCoord is highly asset.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant field experience in humanitarian coordination, preparedness, and response in emergency situations (complex emergency and/or natural disaster) is highly desirable.
• Experience in humanitarian coordination within the UN system is desirable.
• Experience in supervising staff is highly desirable.
• Experience working in humanitarian coordination is highly desirable.
• Experience working in analysis and/or reporting is highly desirable.

Language requirements

• Fluency in oral and written Arabic and English is required.

Other:

• Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Note:

• “Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable)”

Applicant information about rosters

UNOCHA reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNOCHA at the same grade level and with similar job descriptions, experience, and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

• UNOCHA has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
• UNOCHA   is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

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