Temporary Vacancy Announcement: OCHA/G/69/2012

Date of issue: United Nations Department: Post title and Level: Duty station: Duration: Entry on Duty: Vacancy Notice number: Deadline for applications:

05 December 2012 Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) Humanitarian Affairs Officer (P-4) - Associates Surge Pool Multiple Duty Stations Three to six months As soon as possible OCHA/G/69/2012 19 December 2012

United Nations Core Values: INTEGRITY / PROFESSIONALISM / RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY BACKGROUND: This Temporary vacancy announcement (TVA) is issued in order to replenish the OCHA Associates Surge Pool (ASP). OCHA will pre-select qualified and suitable individuals to become members of the ASP, in order that they might be recruited on a temporary appointment basis for shortterm field assignments in new emergencies, or to fill critical staffing gaps. Deployments will normally last from three to six months; a formal contractual relationship will only be established with ASP members when they are selected to be deployed. This TVA is valid for new temporary appointments that may be required and/or initiated within 364 days of the closing date. ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: These positions may be located in multiple duty stations within country and/or regional Field Offices of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). The incumbent will report to the Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer or the respective Head of Office/Unit/Section, based on the operational needs and the qualifications of the candidate(s). DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Within limits of delegated authority, the Humanitarian Officer shall perform the following duties: Analyses, prepares position reports and provide advice on a range of policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance; prepares regular situation reports highlighting relevant operational factors affecting the humanitarian situation and response efforts. Supports and facilitates the development and implementation of inclusive, field level humanitarian coordination mechanisms, including managing working relationships between funding and implementing agencies of the UN, NGOs and other humanitarian partners in line with the Humanitarian Reform agenda, supports the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the countys humanitarian work plan (usually expressed through the Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP)/Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP)), soliciting and negotiating inputs with relevant authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, etc., facilitates substantive linkages between emergency response, preparedness/prevention, rehabilitation and recovery programs, as well as with other related areas such as peace building, human rights, etc. Facilitates and/or participates in interagency assessment missions to build consensus on sector and geographic priorities; assists in matters
www.unocha.org The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. Coordination Saves Lives ReliefWeb Id #

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related to natural disasters and new emergencies including monitoring and reporting, supporting United Nations Disaster Assessment Coordination (UNDAC) missions. Prepares, monitors and reports on appeals, elaborating costs plans, initiating lessons learned, etc.; Consults UN agencies, NGOs, the diplomatic community and non-state actors in order to develop strategies to identify and track information required for early warning of potential conflict and conflict related vulnerability. Liaises with humanitarian partners on the collection of information to effectively map areas of humanitarian needs and response activities in support of coordination efforts; fosters and reinforces linkages between field monitoring, information management and coordination efforts; supports inter-agency contingency planning efforts, ensuring linkages between various contingency plans, adequate pre-positioning of stocks as required, etc.; supports advocacy initiatives on issues impacting humanitarian needs and response efforts through the collection of information, liaison with humanitarian partners, government officials, and media, development of appropriate strategies, etc. Supports the Head of Office in the day to day management of field and sub-offices as relevant, including assisting in the work planning and budgeting process, resource mobilization, financial, administrative and security (MOSS/ MORSS) management, etc.; supports human resources planning and management in field and/or sub-offices including: Recruitment, supervision and support of field staff and Sub-office management in a designated field office (if applicable); manages day-to-day activities of the OCHA sub-office in the field duty station, providing oversight for all substantive/programmatic, logistics, administrative, and security issues. Provides leadership and work direction to a team and mentor/supervise the work of new/junior officers; takes lead in the planning and budgeting process, support resource mobilization and ensure sound financial management; oversees and monitors human resource requirements of the sub-office including planning and overseeing the selection of field staff as well as supporting the overall development of field staff, fostering teamwork and communication amongst field staff, and promoting linkages between field staff and relevant regional and headquarters colleagues; ensures the Office produces timely, quality outputs including comprehensive work plans, concise and factual situation reports, analytical papers, comprehensive and fact-based information products, etc.; performs other duties, as required. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Comprehensive knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of humanitarian affairs issues, ability to provide sound advise the UN RC/HC and OCHA management on tactical approaches and techniques to address humanitarian issues that require a coordinated UN response; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to thoroughly analyse and evaluate critical matters pertaining to a broad spectrum of humanitarian and emergency relief issues; ability to effectively manage policy and project development and implementation; ability to work under pressure including in insecure environments, while maintaining productivity and effectiveness; very good understanding of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to humanitarian affairs and of the institutions of the UN system, in particular, the mandate and core polices of OCHA; ddemonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; 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 the 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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decisionmaking authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Coordination Saves Lives | www.unocha.org

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Qualifications & Experience EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, sociology, international law or related area is required; a first-level university degree (i.e. Bachelors degree or equivalent) in one of the above mentioned academic disciplines in combination with qualifying relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree. WORKING EXPERIENCE: A minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and response, inter-agency coordination, or in a related area of expertise with at least three (3) years of that experience having been at the international level; a minimum of two (2) years professional field experience (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency and/or natural disaster) is required. Experience in the UN common system is desirable. LANGUAGE: For all OCHA field duty stations fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; For French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian-speaking OCHA field duty stations, working knowledge of that respective language is required on the basis of the operational needs of the particular field duty station. Language skills may be tested during the interview process, as appropriate. *//*//*SPECIAL NOTICE *//*//* Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. All posts are subject to availability of funds. Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions at the same level in other field duty stations. Upon selection candidates will be subject to satisfactory reference checks to be completed by the recruiting department/office which shall include verification of the highest required academic qualification(s) and record with the last employer. How to apply: All applicants are requested to complete and email the following documents to scs@un.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org 1. Personal history profile 2. ASP Application form 3. ASP Members Fact Sheet (November 2012) The ASP application and Fact Sheet can be accessed by clicking on the following link: http://fileupload.unocha.org/upload.aspx?publicID=u051212024617gSPHea2Rv2 Please state your full name and the UNOCHA temporary vacancy notice number (OCHA/G/69/2012) as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every vacancy announcement. The personal history profile that is generated from Inspira can be used to apply to short term vacancy announcements within the United Nations Common System, and all applicants are strongly encouraged to create a profile and apply to job openings on Inspira at https://careers.un.org Note that an applicants eligibility cannot be fully assessed if the personal history profile is not properly completed. "The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees). Also, the United Nations does not concern itself with information on bank accounts".
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Coordination Saves Lives | www.unocha.org