Job Vacancies Office of the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs, March 2012

Job Vacancies Office of the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs
Position: Humanitarian Affairs Officer, P4
Department/ Office Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Duty Station NEW YORK
Closing Date: Saturday, 26 May 2012
Job Opening number 12-HRA-OCHA-23146-R-NEW YORK (X)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in New York. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the External Relations and Partnership Section.

Responsibilities
The incumbent of the post acts as Humanitarian Affairs Officer for a particular region/set of countries. Under the overall supervision of Section Chief, he/she is responsible for the following duties:
- Collect and analyze information on current and potential complex emergencies in order to develop strategies and recommendations for the Under-Secretary-General/Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) to build partnerships with Member States, Regional Organizations and the private sector in close cooperation with other Branches and Sections within OCHA that will help disseminate messages on measures required to mitigate existing or impending humanitarian crises in their assigned region/countries;
- Represent the Section in task forces, meetings, briefings and missions, including at the senior level;
- Liaise, consult, and exchange information with the other Secretariat departments, to ensure the necessary synergy between the work of OCHA and these departments; with United Nations agencies, NGOs headquartered in North America, other operational agencies, donor governments and Member States to enhance support for the work of OCHA by Member States, Regional Organizations and other multilateral humanitarian partners in close coordination with other Branches and Sections within OCHA.
- Liaise, build relationships and strengthen partnerships with a broad range of humanitarian actors and stakeholders including the Permanent Missions of Member States. Support the Chief to negotiate, organize and prepare events related to outreach and partnership building in New York, at regional and national levels.
- Support OCHA branches, sections and field offices in facilitating support for good humanitarian coordination, including tools and services such as the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) and pooled funds, working closely with relevant OCHA sections and branches.
- Assist in the organization of and brief forums such as Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), InterAction, all Member States briefings, the Humanitarian Liaison Working Group (HLWG);
- Prepare and review briefs, reports, letters, talking points and oral statements for the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Regional Organizations, Security Council, other inter-governmental bodies, as well as the IASC, and other relevant bodies. Draft notes, briefing and talking points for OCHA senior management and the United Nations Secretary-General for meetings with high level officials of Member States and representatives of Regional Organizations based on priorities and strategies.
- Communicate the humanitarian concerns of the Humanitarian Coordinators and the United Nations operational agencies to Member States, Regional Organizations, the Office of the Secretary-General and political organs of the United Nations.
- Contribute to develop positions and strategies to build partnerships with Member States, Regional Organizations and the private sector in close cooperation with other Branches and Sections within OCHA. Support strategies for humanitarian advocacy and resource mobilization related to specific disaster and emergency situations including support for the CERF and country based pooled funds.
- Respond to queries from individuals and organizations concerning the work of OCHA and the United Nations; provide briefings to public groups on the work of OCHA and the United Nations.
- Assist the Chief of Section in undertaking activities of a managerial nature (preparation of work plans, development of staff training plans, Performance Appraisal System etc.) and carry out tasks delegated to him/her (including being Officer-in-Charge of the Section) at the request of the Chief of Section.

Competencies
Professionalism:
- Comprehensive knowledge of, and exposure to, a wide range of humanitarian experiences, emergency relief and related human rights issues;
- Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated response;
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills and strong research skills;
- Very good knowledge of region or country of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions;
- 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;
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with various actors, including governments,

Parliamentarians, foundations, NGOs, communities and UN partners;
- Ability to work under pressure; very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs within and outside the United Nations.
- Demonstrated ability to synthetize information and formulate clear recommendations and action points; and understanding of the roles of, and first hand experience from working with, different humanitarian organizations, including non-UN humanitarian organizations.
- Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian principles and humanitarian law; Sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN system and its partners
- 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
- Gathers relevant information before making a decision
- 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
Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, public administration, development, law, social science or related field. A first level university with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively relevant experience in humanitarian affairs, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, peace-keeping, or other related area, of which several years in a field mission is required. Experience in producing substantive analytical reports is required. Experience mobilizing resources for the UN from the private sector is highly desirable. Experience with multilateral funding mechanisms, regional organizations and regional groupings of the UN are desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, excellent English (both written and spoken) is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified applicants may include a substantive assessment, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice
This position is funded for a period of at least one year and may be subject to extension
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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