Tittel: Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Kontraktstype: Permanent
Stillingsprosent: 100%
Sted: New York
Arbeidsgiver: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Ref.kode: 29565
Søknadsfrist: 08-11-2013
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Humanitarian Affairs Officer, P4
This position is located in the Policy Advice and Planning Section of the Policy Development (PDSB) and Studies Branch of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of Policy Advice and Planning Section, PDSB.
Responsibilities:
Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer – Access and Negotiation will be responsible for the following duties:
• Serves as a senior policy officer; advise on overall policy direction on issues including humanitarian access, modalities for the provision of humanitarian assistance in conflict, engagement and negotiation with states and non-state armed groups and, more generally, reviews and provides advice on a diverse range of policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance, in particular in situations of armed conflict and the linkages with other related areas (e.g. human rights).
• Prepares policy position papers for review on a variety of issues related to humanitarian principles, humanitarian access, the provision of assistance in conflict and negotiation with states and non-state armed groups.
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on relevant policy developments Related to the humanitarian access and humanitarian negotiations.
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex projects, to include disaster assessment or other missions; coordinates international humanitarian/emergency assistance for complex emergency/disaster situations; ensures necessary support (e.g. staff, funding, specialized equipment, supplies, etc.); prepares situation reports to the international community, apprising of situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries.
• Assists OCHA field offices and other humanitarian actors in capacity-building for handling emergency situations;; recommends actions based on the analysis of pertinent information.
• Analyzes and assists in introducing new technologies for disaster warning/management.
• 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 OCHA reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, etc.; with respect to the latter, takes the lead in providing support and information to relevant councils or other entities on specific issues.
• Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and 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 government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.; ensures appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UN system, including on early warning and contingency planning, etc.
• Serves as the primary focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc., 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, in particular the humanitarian law and policy portfolio related to humanitarian access, the provision of assistance in conflict, and humanitarian negotiations. 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. Sound knowledge of the international legal and policy framework, and extensive experience in applying humanitarian law and principles to field operations, particularly regarding humanitarian access and humanitarian negotiations. 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.
• 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.
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 two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area. At least 3 years service in complex emergency at field level is required. Leadership experience in direct engagement with government and non-state armed groups in the negotiation of humanitarian access is required. Experience in complex emergency in more than one setting is desirable. Experience within the United Nations system is desirable.
Qualifying years of experience are calculated following receipt of the first level university degree recognized by the United Nations.
Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.
Assessment Method:
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 and may be subject to extension. Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or 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.
United Nations Considerations:
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
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.
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