Switzerland Humanitarian Affairs Officer (P-4)

Date of issue: 02 February 2012

Post title and Level: Humanitarian Affairs Officer (P-4)

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland

Duration: Eight months

Entry on Duty: As soon as possible

Vacancy Notice number: OCHA/G/05 /2012

Deadline for applications: 16 February 2012

Special Mention: Appointment against this post is limited to temporary replacement of incumbent.

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

BACKGROUND: Strengthening the mainstreaming of gender equality programming and protection response is critical in humanitarian action. To achieve this, pools of experts to provide technical support and advice to Humanitarian Coordinators, Humanitarian Country Teams and clusters is required. The aim of this post is to further plan, monitor, implement and evaluate two inter-agency stand-by roster pools of gender and protection experts.

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This Humanitarian Affairs Officer position is located in the Humanitarian Coordination Support Section (HCSS) within the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) Geneva. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the HCSS. Within the delegated authority, s/he will be responsible for the following duties:

RESPONSIBILITIES: Initiates and coordinates activities related to technical cooperation and technical assistance projects in humanitarian action with an emphasis on the management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of stand-by, surge and roster programmes for humanitarian response; Formulates project proposals and relevant project documents; Provides technical support to field work; Reviews and clears project reports for submission to donors; Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management programmes or emergency situations in assigned country/area; Assists in the production of appeals for international assistance; Ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA; 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; Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate the impact of gender and protection expertise provided to complex humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes; Helps ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender and protection-related considerations; Establishes and maintains contacts with 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; 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; Participates in planning and preparation of unit budget and work programmes; 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.

Competences

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and demonstrated expertise in management for humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights situations including stand-by roster partner management and support; Understanding of the humanitarian reform issues including cluster approach and Humanitarian Coordination Strengthening; Has a thorough knowledge of humanitarian coordination systems including UN, NGOs and IGOs; Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems; Ability to conduct research, including evaluation and integration of information from a variety of sources; Ability to work under pressure, on occasion in a stressful environment; 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 the 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.

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.

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.

VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

JUDGEMENT/DECISION MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Qualifications & Experience

EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) International Relations/Studies/Political Science or related field is required; 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 seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management or related area; A minimum of one (1) year experience in humanitarian situations in the field is required; Experience in stand-by partner roster management in humanitarian situations would be an asset.

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

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.

How to apply:

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.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context all staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

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

How to apply: All applicants are requested to email the following documents to kenkare@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/05/2011) as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every vacancy announcement.

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