Job Vacancies United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), December 2011

Job Vacancies United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Position: Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Chief, Protection and Displacement Section
Location: United States of America ( The )
Closing Date: Friday, 30 December 2011

Duration: Eleven months (with possibility of extension)
Open to current UN staff members (P4/P5) and external candidates
Estimated Start Date: 15 February 2012
United Nations Core Values: INTEGRITY / PROFESSIONALISM / RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Chief of the Protection and Displacement Section (PDS) in the Policy Development and Studies Branch (PDSB) will manage the section and provide policy advice and support to OCHA’s work in New York, Geneva and the field. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of PDSB, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:
Management and supervision of the team of policy officers in PDS, PDSB, including the management of the budget of the section and the implementation of the work plan of the section.
Development and implementation of protection of civilians in armed conflict related policies in collaboration with other OCHA branches, regional and field offices, UN departments and agencies and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), as well as initiating, drafting, supervising and finalizing policy papers, policy guidelines, statements, background documents, and speeches for OCHA’s senior management and reports to inter-governmental and legislative bodies.
Serving as Senior Policy Advisor on issues related to the protection of civilians in armed conflict, provides authorative technical and policy advice on issues related to the protection of civilians and related topics, including development of policy strategies for future work to PDSB, the senior management in OCHA, OCHA’s regional and field offices, other departments and agencies within the UN system, Member States, IASC officials, international and regional intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations.
Providing expertise for a collaborative and comprehensive protection response from OCHA internally through close liaison with the Inter-Agency Internal Displacement Division as well as from the international community through the Inter-Agency protection cluster mechanism and the Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator system.
Coordination country and regional level protection of civilians in armed conflict workshops for UN Country Teams, UN missions, Government officials, inter-governmental organisations, donors, NGOs and civil society.
Coordination of the promotion of protection of civilians in armed conflict agenda with respect to Regional and Intergovernmental organisations.
Coordination of development and updating of tools, mechanisms and best practices to facilitate the implementation of protection of civilians in armed conflict policies as well as training /capacity building programmes for OCHA, other UN department and agency staff at headquarters and field, Humanitarian/Resident Coordinators, UN Country Teams, Member States, Regional and other inter-governmental organisations and NGOs.
Providing external representation of OCHA in diverse policy and interagency for a, meetings and events, participating in the protection of civilians in armed conflict policy debate of donors, academics, research and non-governmental communities as well as coordination and liaison with UN agencies, Intergovernmental and Non-Governmental Organisations and Member States on such issues.
Perform other duties as required.

COMPETENCIES:
Professionalism:
Comprehensive knowledge and experience in a wide range of issues relating to protection of civilians in armed conflict, complex emergencies, relief assistance and humanitarian policy. Knowledge of international humanitarian, refugee and human rights law. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity and ability to analyse and articulate policy and guidance on protection related issues and broader humanitarian action.

Planning and organizing:
Proven ability to work to tight deadlines and to plan and organize work to manage multiple concurrent activities; proven ability to develop a strategic programme of work which is appropriately integrated into the overall work Branch.

Communication:
Excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written; ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of intergovernmental bodies; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful.

Teamwork:
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to operate effectively across institutional boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

MANAGEMENT SKILLS:
Judgment/Decision-making – Good judgment and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness, energy and tact; ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve section’s goals.
Leadership
- demonstrated ability to provide leadership and take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work; commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing; demonstrated leadership and management skills and the ability to manage a team of policy officers; proven record of creating an enabling working environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise and mentor, develop and evaluate staff and design training/ skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge and skills. Tact in negotiating skills; good judgment and decision-making skills.
Managing Performance:
Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work of others; ability to make timely decisions; Ability to coach, mentor, motivate and develop staff and encourage good performance.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience:
10 years of progressibly responsible professional experience, including management experience, in the field of international humanitarian affairs and human rights and/or international humanitarian law, of which at least 5 years are at the international level.

Education:
Advanced university degree (Mater’s degree or equivalent)in political science, law, international relations, or related fields. A first level university degree with a combination of relevant qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and spoken english is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

How to apply:
All applicants are requested to email the following documents to Emanuela Gillard at gillard@un.org, with a copy to Maria Vargas at vargas1@un.org:
Cover letter;
Completed PHP.




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