NGO JOBS

Organization: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 16 Sep 2013

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Civil-Military Coordination – UN-CMCoord) reports to the Head of Office, OCHA Afghanistan.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the leadership and guidance of the Head of OCHA Office Afghanistan, and within delegated authority, the HAO/CMCoord Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Adviser on Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination:

1) In his/her capacity as the Head of OCHA Afghanistan and HC’s adviser on civil-military relations, the HAO/CMCoord will establish the necessary links with Senior Military Officers in International military Forces and National Military Forces, Military Liaison Officers (MLO), and personnel in UN agencies, including any relevant civilian mission staff, and civil-military coordination personnel of appropriate NGOs.2) Monitor, analyze and report on any major accomplishments and progress as well as identify and follow up any potential or actual friction points in relations between the humanitarian and military communities.3) Serve as the primary focal point for all matters including policy related to civil-military coordination in close consultation with the Head of OCHA Afghanistan or Humanitarian Coordinator.4) Prepare, or provide substantive input in the preparation of, policy, position papers and reports on civil-military coordination issues for presentation to various agencies throughout the UN system and IASC members. Contribute to the Office regular reporting on civil-military coordination issues.

Policy and Advocacy:

1) Lead, if applicable, the development of country-specific guidelines on civil-military relations, based on the current “Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets in Disaster Relief” and “Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets to Support UN Humanitarian Activities in Complex Emergencies”, as well as the “IASC Reference Paper on Civil-Military Relationship in Complex Emergencies”, the IASC Discussion Paper and Non-Binding Guidelines on the “Use of Military or Armed Escorts for Humanitarian Convoys”, applicable Security Council resolutions and other relevant instruments.2) Ensure that the country-specific guidelines, and the generic guidelines mentioned above are properly disseminated and understood by both the humanitarian actors and the military forces present, as well as by local actors, as appropriate. Promote and ensure adherence to the above Guidelines within the entire humanitarian community and advise on potential consequences if these principles are compromised.3) Organise, with relevant and balanced Humanitarian and Military representation, Workshops on Civil-Military relations, by advocating adherence to applicable guidelines and principles and focusing on positive examples, contribute to a positive working relationship between relevant international military and IASC members.4) Additionally, act as an advocate for the promulgation of UN-CMCoord concepts, principles and activities, the promotion and protection of humanitarian principles and the dissemination of UN-CMCoord related guidelines.

Establish and maintain UN-CMCoord Network:

1) In this context, establish and maintain dialogue and coordination with the military and security forces in the area of responsibility. Identify, establish and maintain contact with the appropriate military counterparts, especially international military force deployed, and ensure mutual exchange of information about ongoing humanitarian activities and issues. Advise the military forces in the area of responsibility on international humanitarian coordination mechanisms. These mechanisms may include the UN Country Team, UN Security or Disaster Management Teams, Humanitarian Clusters, etc.2) In parallel, establish and maintain contact with humanitarian actors in the area of responsibility and serve as an information channel and advocate for their issues with relevant military/paramilitary organizations.3) Lead or participate in working groups, meetings and consultations with other UN agencies and humanitarian partners; organize meetings on UN-CMCoord matters with Heads of Agencies and/or other appropriate entities.4) Establish and maintain, if appropriate, an information exchange forum for stakeholders and interested parties in civil-military relations and participate in relevant meetings.

Humanitarian Affairs:

1) Leads and/or participates in large, complex projects, to include disaster assessment or other missions; coordinates international humanitarian/emergency assistance for complex emergency/disaster situations; ensures necessary support (e.g. staff, funding, specialized equipment, supplies, etc.); prepares situation reports to the international community, apprising of situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries.2) Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate complex humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes; helps ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.3) Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other 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, including on early warning and contingency planning.

Security:

1) Act as Security Focal Point for OCHA Afghanistan, and reviews and monitors activities related to preparation of security plans for the OCHA, including all aspects related to elaboration, development and updating of the plan and, if necessary, its implementation.2) Advises the Head of Office with regard to all security-related matters and participates in discussions and development of policies and procedures for security operations, contributing inputs related to assigned areas of responsibility.3) Establishes lines of communication with security officers, focal points and all other agencies to ensure maximum security coordination.4) Liaise and collaborate with Security Officers to maintain dialog with local authorities and international institutions such as Red Cross/Red Crescent for coordination of efforts.

COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. 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 judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, 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. 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. Solid understanding of and experience with the Civil Military Coordination issues.

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.

JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Strong judgment, decision-making, initiative, imagination and resourcefulness; proven ability to provide strategic direction, to plan and establish priorities, and to ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve the Branch's goals; ability to identify the key issues in a complex humanitarian situation, and capacity to come the heart of the problem quickly and with sounding solutions;

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, military, or other related area is required. Previous experience with OCHA and/or in a related way in civil-military coordination, or experience in the military forces dealing with major humanitarian operations is desirable. Experience in working with humanitarian organizations in operations or preparedness is desirable. Field experience in emergency situations (complex emergencies, natural disasters, etc.) is desirable. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree as recognized by the United Nations.

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, or other field related to civil-military coordination or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying 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 English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of Dari is desirable.

How to apply:

How to apply: The position is intended to fill functions of short-term duration This temporary position is for an initial period of four (4) months with a possibility of extension. All posts are subject to availability of funds.

Please state your full name and the temporary job opening notice number OCHA/G/56/2013 as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every temporary job opening announcement. Documents should be saved as pdf file, with the title formatted as follows: FAMILY NAME_given name_ Doc-t type.pdf. For example: GREY_Joe _PHP.pdf.

All applicants are requested to submit a completed personal history profile (PHP) to Ms. Yasuko Sawada sawada@un.org and Ms. Sofia Nouri nouris@un.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org .

Note that applications to United Nations Secretariat positions can be generated in the new Inspira recruitment system. We encourage you to create an electronic personal history profile and to apply to these and other positions for which you are interested and qualified at http://inspira.un.org

Note that applicants’ eligibility cannot be fully assessed if the personal history profile is not properly completed. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.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.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."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."