Switzerland: Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer P-2
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 03 Jan 2014
ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and in the INSARAG Secretariat of the Field Coordination Support Section of the Emergency Services Branch. The Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer will report to the Humanitarian Affairs Officer (HAO) overseeing the work of INSARAG.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Within delegated authority, the Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• In consultation with a Humanitarian Affairs Officer, assists in the design and preparation of studies on humanitarian, disaster, emergency relief and related issues and in various follow-up activities, particularly as issues relate to the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues.• Contributes to the preparation of various written documents on INSARAG, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents etc. • Develops and maintains reference/resource information on specific topics or policy-related issues; responds to various inquiries and information requests internally and externally. • Assists in the production of appeals for international assistance; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA.• Assists in the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops, simulation exercises etc. with other agencies and partners to facilitate exchanges of professional expertise and views on specific humanitarian-related subjects/issues; serves as reporter to such events.• Maintains awareness of current humanitarian affairs and related issues, particularly in relation to INSARAG, to include relevant political, policy, gender considerations or other developments in specific a subject area, country or region concerned.• Participates in technical assistance, disaster assessment or other missions.• Participates in project/programme formulation and mobilization of relevant resources. • Performs other duties as required.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:Staff at all levels within OCHA in New York, Geneva and the field.Counterparts in other UN agencies.Counterparts in national governments and multilateral regional bodies.Representatives from member organizations of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, academic and non-governmental organizations.
Results Expected: Efficiently helps with the organization of the many meetings and simulation exercises coordinated by the INSARAG Secretariat. Contributes to institutional humanitarian and emergency relief initiatives through good research and analysis of assigned topics and thorough well-reasoned written contributions. Effectively and in a timely manner, liaises and interacts with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally.
COMPETENCIES
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.
COMMUNICATIONS – Good communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style.
PLANNING & ORGANIZING – Ability to plan own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.
TEAMWORK – Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation and development, disaster management, Urban Search and Rescue or other related area. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance is desirable. Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system, relevant experience at both headquarters, and country office and field level would be an advantage.
Education: University degrees (Bachelor’s Degree) preferably in political or social science, law, international studies, public administration, economics, or in a technical (e.g. engineering, earth sciences, etc.) or other relevant field; or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area; and Master’s Degree in a relevant area, preferably with a specialization in humanitarian action or development studies.
Languages: Fluency in oral and written English is required; knowledge of a second official UN language is an advantage.
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. All posts are subject to availability of funds.
Please state your full name and the temporary job opening notice number OCHA/G/84/2013 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 kataoka-hafiz@un.org Hanako Kataoka-Hafiz 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."
