Humanitarian Affairs Officer at United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - UNOCHA

Job ID: 23062
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Practice Area - Job Family: Management - ADVOCACY, Management - COORDINATION, Management - HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
Grade: NOC
Vacancy Type: FTA Local
Posting Type: Common System
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension

Background

• OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to:
•  Alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies
• Advocate for the rights of people in need
• Promote preparedness and prevention
• Facilitate sustainable solutions.
• In December 1991, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 46/182 designed to strengthen the United Nation's response to both complex emergencies and natural disasters.  In addition, it aimed at improving the overall effectiveness of the UN's humanitarian operations in the field.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Coordination Unit Head, the SNHAO will ensure effective and efficient support on all activities related to Inter agency technical coordination and programmes while maintaining full confidentiality in all aspects of assignment, maintenance of procedures, management of information flow and follow up on deadlines and commitments.
• The SNHAO will work in close collaboration with the other units in OCHA Nigeria and support coordination with the humanitarian community (UN Agencies, government and partners) to ensure efficient flow of information, effective coordination, advocacy and reporting.

Summary of Key Functions

• Ensures effective and efficient program support for inter-agency technical coordination;
• Supports consolidation of inputs for key OCHA products and reports;
• Supports local coordination mechanisms through monitoring, analysis and reporting on key humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in assigned locations.
• Participates in large, complex organizational and inter-agency projects; participates in mission planning and execution.
• Supports the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to coordinate humanitarian assistance by identifying and setting up appropriate structures and organizing relevant inter-sector coordination meetings at local government level when required.
• Ensures close consultation and coordination with state and national authorities/partner
• Supports the coordination of inter-agency needs assessments and contingency planning in the event of immediate threats;
• Assists the preparation and implementation of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC) within the framework of the HNO and the HRP for Nigeria
• Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
• Build and maintain relationships with UN agencies, NGOs and governmental officials to ensure effective exchange and dissemination of information;
• 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., to ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues.
• Identifies contacts in the media, government, private sector, donors, other agencies, civil society and other stakeholders in support of OCHA’s advocacy efforts;
• Any other assignments at the request of the Coordination Unit Head and/or colleagues;

Competencies
Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda:

• Identifies and supports preparation of relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences
• Identifies contacts in the media, government, private sector, donors, other agencies, civil society in other stakeholders for OCHA’s advocacy efforts.
• Results-Based Programme Development and Management:
• Contributes to collective results through provision of information
• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

• Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives
• Tracks and reports on resource mobilization
• Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:
• Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
• Tracks bottlenecks, problems and issues, and proposes solutions
• Responds positively to new approaches

Basic Research and Analysis:

• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents innovative strategies and new approaches
• Identifies and communicates opportunities to promote learning and knowledge sharing
• Develops awareness of the various internal/external learning and knowledge-sharing resources

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures
• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding the position
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
• Demonstrates good knowledge of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and good writing / reporting skills and applies it in work assignments
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.
• Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing are the responsibility of each staff member:

Core Competencies:

• Professionalism: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Capacity to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response.
• Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned area.
• Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment; ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff; ability to provide advice to senior level officials. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• 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; tailor’s language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• 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.
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Creating synergies through self-control, sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.
• Professionalism: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Capacity to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response.
• Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned area.
• Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment; ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff; ability to provide advice to senior level officials. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• 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; tailor’s language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• 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.
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Creating synergies through self-control, sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master's Degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences, Law or related field would be desirable, but it is not a requirement;
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required.
• At least two years of work experience in the field within the context of humanitarian affairs is desirable. Relevant experience working in inter cluster coordination is desirable. Experience working on the Humanitarian Programme Cycle is desirable.
• Must be conversant with UN operational system;
• Excellent Information Communication and Technology (ICT) and Report Writing skills.;
• Knowledge of Information Management (IM);
• Ability to build networks and partnerships and capacity to work in a team;
• Demonstrates critical ability and sound judgment in the pursuit of requests to full completion;
• Balances meeting deadlines, while maintaining high professional standards and accuracy;
• Demonstrates the highest level of discretion a manner that promotes a positive working environment;
• Demonstrates understanding of the UN organizational structure and external partners for purposes of efficiently handling incoming queries and requests, and for collecting information and performing liaison functions;
• High fluency in English (both verbal and written) is essential; working knowledge of at least one other official UN language is an asset.