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

Job ID: 16146
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Grade: NOB
Vacancy Type: FTA Local
Agency: UNOCHA
Posting Type: External
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 in order 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 overall guidance of the OCHA Head of Office and reports to the Senior Humanitarian Financing Advisor (SHFA) and assists the Head of the NHF as required, the incumbent is expected to perform the following functions, prioritized according to operational requirements:
 
Summary of key functions:

• NHF Secretariat support
• Private Sector Engagement 
• Humanitarian Financing/NHF: Donor Relations, communications and resource mobilization.
• CERF in country support to grant proposal and reporting processes

NHF Advisory Board Secretariat support:

• Support the SHFA to convene regular NHF Advisory Board (AB) meetings on behalf of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) to establish NHF allocation strategies, endorse funding recommendations and to facilitate policy discussions.
• Manage NHF AB meeting invitations and confirmations; maintain AB contact lists.
• Coordinate with the Head of the NHF to ensure required logistics and venue support, set up of audio-visual, and documentation is prepared in folders.
• Take detailed minutes, capturing basis for decisions especially on strategic priorities and endorsement of projects.  Ensure timely turnaround of minutes within 48 hours. 
• Support the SHFA in Abuja communications on the NHF and coordination meetings with partners, including the Abuja based UN agencies and NGOs.

Private Sector Engagement:

• Support the SHFA to implement the NHF private sector engagement strategy to support the NHF objective to leverage the private sector in the humanitarian response. 
• Provide secretariat services for meetings and key events for private sector engagement as defined in the campaign strategy (i.e. visits/travel to Lagos and Kanu and visits to the northeast, etc.) Includes maintaining good records of events, trips and meetings, including minutes and follow up (48-hour turnaround).
• Facilitate private sector partner due diligence processes, including preliminary research / vetting of potential private sector partners, and timely processing through to completion.  Ensure current, accurate and accessible records of private sector MOUs and due diligence documentation.
• Ensures up-to-date maintenance of private sector database of contacts and communications, mailing lists, etc.
• Manage logistics, travel of consultants and private sector partners as required, organizing venues, accommodation (with OCHA administrative support).
• Supports SHFA in the management and receipt of private sector contributions in country, including in coordination with OCHA FCS financial unit in Geneva
• Coordinates with the Head of the NHF and Maiduguri HFU team in relation to allocations supported by private sector funds.  
• Humanitarian financing/NHF—Donor relations, communications and resource mobilization
• Support the SHFA in donor relations, advocacy and resource mobilisation for the NHF and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). 
• Support the implementation of the NHF donor relations strategy.
• Work closely with the HFU Finance Officer focal point for the OCHA Financial Tracking System (FTS) in support of humanitarian financing analysis.  Undertake FTS analysis to  generate FTS reports for inputs to advocacy materials and to prepare donor profiles.
• Assist SHFA / Head of NHF and OCHA HoO to prepare for donor meetings (bilateral and NHF donors). Prepare and maintain sets of key donor profiles. 
• With Executive Associate, maintain current and accurate donor contact lists.

Central Emergency Response Fund Support:

• Under guidance of the SHFA, provide in-country support to CERF grant management processes, including CERF underfunded grants and rapid response grants and reports.
• Assist the SHFA to consolidate inputs from agency focal points, and prepare overarching strategies, concept papers in seeking CERF support at the request of the HC and HCT. 
• Provide guidance to agency partners to apply CERF life-saving criteria and comprehensively meet proposal and budget requirements (accurate representation of needs, disaggregated affected people numbers, etc.)
• Reviews proposals for quality control and follows up with agency partners as required.
• Ensures tight adherence to timelines and follow up (email, phone and meetings) due to complexities of CERF processes and criteria
• Responsible for managing timely reporting on CERF grants, timely requests for no-cost-extensions and reminders and follow up.
• Liaises with OCHA CERF Secretariat as required, in coordination with the SHFA. 

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• Senior HFA, Head of the NHF and the Maiduguri NHF/HFU Team
• Private Sector Partners
• Donors, including NHF and bilateral donors United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programs

Impact of Results:

• Strategic decisions on NHF funding priorities are well documented and the Humanitarian Coordinator and Advisory Board are supported with efficient secretariat services. 
• Engagement with private sector partners leads to a more diverse set of donors contributing funds through the NHF in support of the humanitarian response. 
• Effective donor communications are underpinned with current humanitarian financing analysis and up-to-date donor profiles leading to increased contributions to the NHF and HRP. 
• UN agencies are supported to access the CERF to address life-saving humanitarian needs.
• Assists to meet organizational objectives and provide sound analytical inputs and advice with respect to coordination of humanitarian financing and private sector engagement.

Competencies
Professionalism:

• Proven analytical capacity and ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues and recommend appropriate solutions. 
• In particular, ability to relate humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender issues, political and economic, social and human rights in the presentation of coherent analysis and reporting. Strong negotiation skills: ability to lead and gain assistance of others in a team endeavor, and to articulate coherent arguments to reach agreement. 
• Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. armed conflict, civil strife, natural disasters and human misery).
• 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.

Judgment and Decision-making:

• Ability to identify issues and apply sound judgment using technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems.

Teamwork:

• Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

 Planning and Organizing:

• Proven ability to plan and organize, establish priorities, manage and monitor work plans, coordinate competing demands, and work to tight deadlines. 

Communication:

• Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations, articulating options concisely, conveying maximum information, making and defending recommendations.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Master's Degree in Political or Social Science, Economics, Business, Law, International Studies, Public Administration, or other relevant science is required.

Experience: 

• Minimum two years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian and emergency relief management; or in public-private partnerships related to non-profit and corporate social responsibility; or other related area is required. 
• Experience in humanitarian programming, crisis/emergency relief management or other related area, preferably with at least one year with a UN organization, NGO or relevant governmental or private sector entity (i.e. philanthropic/corporate social responsibility) is preferred.
• Very good analytical, drafting and report writing skills are required and experience with project budgeting and proposal writing is desired.

Language Requirements:

• Professional fluency in oral and written English is required.  Candidates will be tested on their linguistic ability.