: Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer P-2

Date of issue: 10 November 2011

Post title and level: Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer P-2

Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya (with frequent travel to Somalia)

Duration: Three months (with possibility of extension)

Entry on Duty: As soon as possible

Vacancy Notice number: OCHA/G/54/2011

Deadline for applications: 17 November 2011

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

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

The Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer position is located within United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) Somalia, based in Nairobi, Kenya. The incumbent will report to the Head of Office of the OCHA Somalia.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Within delegated authority, under the supervision of the Head of Office, the incumbent will work primarily in the front office, and will be responsible for the following duties:

Assist in the regular monitoring and analysis of developments in the designated country and support the preparation of analytical reports highlighting social, political, humanitarian and other relevant factors affecting the overall humanitarian situation; Draft and prepare regular situation papers/reports highlighting relevant operational factors affecting the humanitarian situation and response efforts;
Support advocacy initiatives on issues impacting humanitarian needs and response efforts through the collection of information, liaison with humanitarian partners, government officials, and media, development of appropriate strategies, etc.; Provide support to sector/cluster working groups as required and facilitate exchange on cross cutting issues; Support the collection of field information to improve coordination activities and information products such as who does what where and inter-agency reports; Support inter-agency contingency planning and take the lead in matters related to natural disasters, including ensuring that the various contingency plans are updated, consistent and well-coordinated; Facilitate/participate in interagency assessment missions to build consensus on sector and geographic priorities; Support the development of a common assessment tool; Liaise with humanitarian partners on the collection of information to effectively map areas of humanitarian needs and response activities in support of coordination efforts; and Track information required for early warning of potential conflict and conflict-related vulnerability; Perform other duties, as assigned by the Head of Office or his/her designate.

Competences

PROFESSIONALISM: Sound knowledge of and exposure to the field of humanitarian assistance, protection and human rights issues, strong analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response; Ability to identify humanitarian-related issues and to use knowledge/judgment in resolving potential problems, including ability to evaluate information from a variety of sources to assess the impact of the humanitarian situation in assigned field duty station/area/region/area; Good understanding of institutional mandates, policies and guiding principles related to humanitarian affairs and of the institutions of the UN system, in particular, the mandate and core humanitarian polices of OCHA.

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.

Qualifications & Experience

EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, sociology, international law/international studies/relations, pubic administration or a related field; A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in one of the aforementioned academic disciplines in combination with qualifying relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

WORKING EXPERIENCE: A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, inter-agency coordination or a related area; Relevant professional experience within the UN common system is desirable; Professional field experience i.e. a field setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented would be an advantage; Relevant professional experience in the Region, as well as, in the Front Office is desirable (No experience is required for candidates who have passed the United Nations Competitive Recruitment Examination.)

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

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