Humanitarian affairs officer

Job Opening number: 12-HRA-OCHA-22880-R-GENEVA (O)

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief, Emergency Preparedness Section, OCHA Geneva, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Monitor, analyze and report on humanitarian developments, disaster preparedness and contingency planning and early warning.        
• Organize and prepare studies on humanitarian, emergency preparedness and related issues;
• Organize follow-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues.
• Participate in large, complex projects, to include disaster assessment or other missions;
• Assist in the coordination of international humanitarian/emergency preparedness issues and in ensuring the necessary support, in particular assisting in gathering related information on resources for preparedness activities;
• Draft and comment on papers, documents, quarterly preparedness reports and talking points on humanitarian response and preparedness issues and situations.
• Partner with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency preparedness programmes including contingency plans and help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.
• Develop innovative funding strategies for preparedness activities and as required assist in the production of inter-agency appeals for disaster preparedness .
• Assist EPS programme management team in financial and human resources administration.
• Assist in mainstreaming disaster preparedness throughout OCHA, in particular, through the Regional Disaster Response Advisors (RDRAs) and Regional Offices and with partner organizations for dissemination of coherent preparedness methodology;
• Ensure consistent approach for mainstreaming OCHA's emergency preparedness strategy and minimum preparedness actions.        
• Establish and maintain contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.
• Undertake and provide support to technical assistance and other field missions, e.g. participate in field trips to undertake in-depth reviews of specific country coordination mechanisms and overall emergency preparedness.
• Prepare or contribute to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. draft sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc.
• Review and provide advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of emergency preparedness programmes.
• Organize and participate in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and disaster preparedness -related matters.
• Provide guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff.
• Perform other duties as required

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.
• Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system, knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance , disaster risk reduction and preparedness.

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.
• High quality professional drafting skills in English.

Planning and 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.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in political or social science, international studies, public administration, economics or other relevant field.
• A first level university degree with a combination of academic qualifications and significant experience in the related field may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation and development, or other related area, including administrative experience. 
• Relevant experience at both HQ and in the field would be highly desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in oral and written English is essential;
• working knowledge of another UN language is required;
• Knowledge of French would be desirable.

Assessment Method

A competency based interview and/or other forms of assessment will be used to evaluate applicants.