United States of America: Humanitarian Affairs Officer - P4
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 10 Sep 2013
Job Network and Job Family: Political, Peace and Security Humanitarian Affairs
Department/Office/Division/ Service/Section: OCHA CRD Regional section
Duty Station: New York
Estimated Start Date: 01/10/2013
Duration of need: 6 months with possibility for extension
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Within delegated authority, the incumbent will serve as a Desk Officer for a set of countries in the assigned regions. The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
• Under the overall supervision of one of the Section Chiefs of the Geographical Sections within theCoordination and Response Division (CRD), he/she is responsible for the following duties: -Collect and analyze information on current and potential complex emergencies in order toprepare briefs and recommendations for the Under-Secretary-General/Emergency ReliefCoordinator (ERC) on measures required to mitigate existing or impending humanitariancrises in their assigned region/countries; - Undertake field missions as required includingdeploying on short notice to serve as part of OCHA surge capacity for emerging andintensifying crisis; - Represent the Section in inter-agency needs assessment missions, taskforces and meetings, including at the senior level; - Liaise, consult, and exchange informationwith the other Secretariat departments, to ensure the necessary synergy between the work ofOCHA and these departments; with United Nations agencies, NGOs headquartered in NorthAmerica, other operational agencies, donor governments and Member States. - Liaise, buildrelationships and strengthen partnerships with a broad range of humanitarian actors andstakeholders including the Permanent Missions of Member States. - Support OCHA fieldoffices in facilitating good humanitarian coordination including the four pillars ofhumanitarian reform, working closely with relevant OCHA sections and branches. - Assist inthe organization of appeal launches and brief coordinating mechanisms such as Inter-AgencyStanding Committee (IASC), InterAction , Executive Committee on Humanitarian Affairs(ECHA) and Executive Committee on Peace and Security (ECPS); - Prepare and reviewbriefs, reports and oral statements on emergency situations and natural disasters for theSecurity Council, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and otherinter-governmental bodies, as well as the IASC, and other coordinating bodies. Draft notes,briefing and talking points for OCHA senior management. - Communicate the humanitarianconcerns of the Humanitarian Coordinators and the United Nations operational agencies to theSecretariat departments, the Office of the Secretary-General and political organs of the UnitedNations; develop positions and strategies for humanitarian advocacy related to specificdisaster and emergency situations; respond to queries from individuals and organizationsconcerning the work of OCHA and the United Nations. - Assist the Chief of Section inundertaking activities of a managerial nature (preparation of work plans, development of staff training plans, Performance Appraisal System etc.) and carry out tasks delegated to him/her(including being Officer-in-Charge of the Section) at the request of the Chief of Section.
COMPETENCIES
• Professionalism:- Comprehensive knowledge of, and exposure to, a wide range ofhumanitarian experiences, emergency relief and related human rights issues; - Conceptual andstrategic analytical capacity, to include ability to analyze and articulate the humanitariandimension of issues which require a coordinated response; - Demonstrated problem-solvingskills and strong research skills; - Very good knowledge of region or country of assignment,including the political, economic and social dimensions;- Ability to work under pressure; verygood knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarianaffairs. - Demonstrated ability to synthetize information and formulate clear recommendationsand action points; and understanding of the roles of, and first hand experience from workingwith, different humanitarian organizations, including non-UN humanitarian organizations. -Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarianprinciples and humanitarian law; Sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN system-Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equalparticipation of women and men in all areas of work.
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 personalagenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisionsmay not entirely reflect own position- Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Accountability:- Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments- Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards- Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules- Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments- Takes personal responsibility for his/her ownshortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively relevant experience in humanitarian affairs,crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, peacekeeping, political affars,democracy/governance, programme management or other related area. Field experience inemergency situations is desirable. Experience in producing substantive analytical reports isdesirable. Experience in coordinating relief/humanitarian response is desirable. Experiencewith humanitarian reform including the cluster approach is desirable. Experience incontingency planning is desirable. Experience in the UN Common System is desirable.
Education: Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in internationalrelations, public administration, development, law, social science or related field. 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 Arabic, Spanish, or French is desirable.
How to apply:
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Personal History Profile (visit https://inspira.un.org to generate a PHP)
Last two completed Performance Appraisal or two Reference Letters for external applicants
ALL SUBMISSIONS TO BE SENT TO:
Contact Name: Yasuko Sawada (Email Address: sawada@un.org)
Copy (cc): Myrtia Murgia (Email Address: murgia@un.org)
