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Switzerland Humanitarian Affairs Officer P-3

Date of issue: 27 October 2011

Post title and level: Humanitarian Affairs Officer P-3

Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland

Duration: Four Months (possibility of extension)

Expected Entry of Duty: 01 December 2011

Vacancy Notice number: OCHA/G/51/2011

Deadline for applications: 03 November 2011

United Nations Core Values: INTEGRITY / PROFESSIONALISM / RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

The Humanitarian Affairs Officer position is located within Emergency Preparedness Section (EPS) of the Emergency Services Branch (ESB), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) Geneva. The incumbent will report to the Chief of EPS.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Within delegated authority, under the supervision of the Chief of Emergency Preparedness Section, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Monitor, analyze and report on humanitarian developments, disaster preparedness and contingency planning and early warning; Organize and prepare studies on humanitarian, emergency preparedness and related issues; Organize follow-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues; Participate in large, complex projects, to include disaster assessment or other missions; Assist in the coordination of international humanitarian/emergency preparedness issues and in ensuring the necessary support, in particular assisting in gathering related information on resources for preparedness projects; Draft concept papers for mainstreaming preparedness to the international community, apprising of situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries; Partner with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency preparedness programmes and help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations; Develop innovative funding strategies for preparedness projects and as required assist in the production of inter-agency appeals or compendium for disater preparedness; Assist EPS programme management team in financial and human resources administration; Assist in mainstreaming disaster preparedness thoughout OCHA, in particular, through RDRAs and Regional Offices and with partner organizations for dissemination of coherent preparedness methodology; Ensure consistent approach for mainstreaming OCHA’s emergency preparedness strategy; Establish and maintain contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.; Undertake and provide support to technical assistance and other field missions, e.g. participate in field trips to undertake in-depth reviews of specific country coordination mechanisms and overall emergency preparedness; Prepare or contribute to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. draft sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc.; Review and provide advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of emergency preparedness programmes; Organize and participate in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and disaster preparedness-related matter; Provide guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff. Perform other duties as required.

Competences

PROFESSIONALISM: Sound knowledge of and exposure to a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, to include approaches and techniques to address difficult problems; Strong analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response; ability to identify issues and to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems; Strong research skills, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned country/area; Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); Ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff; Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system, knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance, disaster risk reduction and preparedness.

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.

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.

Qualifications & Experience

EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political or social science, international studies, public administration, economics or other relevant field; A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with qualifying relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

WORKING EXPERIENCE: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation and development or other related area, including administrative experience; Relevant experience at both HQ and in the field would be desirable.

LANGUAGE: For this particular post fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

***SPECIAL NOTICE ***

Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

All posts are subject to availability of funds.

Applications from qualified female candidates and from nationals of non- and under-represented countries are particularly encouraged.

Diploma of completed University degree may be requested in due course.

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.

Candidates will be expected to move periodically to new functions throughout their careers and are subject to the assignment by the Secretary-General to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations.

How to apply:

All applicants are requested to email the following documents to Masayo Kondo at kondo@un.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org

  1. Cover letter, explaining why you consider yourself qualified and motivated for this particular position;
  2. Completed Summarized Personnel Information Form;
  3. Completed P-11 and P-11 Supplementary Forms.

All Application Forms can be found by clicking on the following link: http://ocha.unog.ch/OCHAvacancies/

Please state your full name and the OCHA vacancy notice number (OCHA/G/51/2011) as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every vacancy announcement.

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