Senegal: Humanitarian Affairs Officer P-3
Country: Senegal
Closing date: 01 Oct 2013
ORG. SETTING AND REPORTING
This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Regional Office for West and Central Africa, in Dakar, Senegal. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports directly to the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Public Information Officer, under the overall leadership of the Head of Office.
RESPONSIBILITIESWithin delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in assigned country/area. • Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organizes follow-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues. • Produces or oversees production of a specific type or types of communications products (e.g. situation reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, talking points, press kits, press releases, feature articles, speeches, booklets, brochures, backgrounders, etc.). Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes and help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.
• Assists in the production of appeals for international assistance; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA. • Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc. • Undertakes and provides support to technical assistance and other field missions. • . 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. • Reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance. • Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters. • Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff. • Performs other duties as required.
COMPETENCIES
PROFESSIONALISM: Sound knowledge of and exposure to a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian issues, to include approaches and techniques to address difficult problems; strong analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyse and articulate the humanitarian and protection 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 and protection situation in assigned country/area; proven excellent drafting skills; good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance; knowledge of the institutions of the UN system and of NGOs; strong computer literacy (Word and Excel); 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; take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
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.
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.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, or public information or related field. Field experience working in crisis countries during complex emergencies or disaster situation is desirable. Experience reporting on crisis is desirable. Experience working in the region (Western and Central Africa) is desirable. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognized by the United Nations.
Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, international studies, economics, journalism or a related field is required. 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 the post, fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN language 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 two (2) 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/61/2013 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 Myrtia Murgia murgia@un.org and 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."
