Humanitarian Affairs Officer (HAO) - Gov't Liaison at UNDP

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Government Liaison (P4), the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Coordination support with government institutions ensuring accurate Information Collection in support of Humanitarian Analysis and Response:

• 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.
• 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 government, private sector, donors, other agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders in support of OCHA’s advocacy efforts.
• Support and ensure gender mainstreaming in all programmes and activities in OCHA.
• Review incoming field reports, prepare summaries of field activities and flag important issues to the Head of Government Liaison Unit. Actively participate in the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) and Humanitarian Needs Overview process, and HRP/HNO Mid-Year Review and End-year Review processes.
• Gather and verify information on issues affecting the humanitarian situation, emphasizing opportunities for response.
• Supports field analysis and maintains constructive working relationships with Federal Government entities involved in the humanitarian response. 
• Any other assignments at the request of the Coordination Unit Head and/or colleagues.

Ensure facilitation of information sharing among partners focusing on achieving the following:

• Pro-actively share information with OCHA and relevant stakeholders on pertinent issues. 
• Identify key pieces of information that will assist with organizational decision-making with a particular focus on improving humanitarian response.
• Support of coordination mechanisms among Humanitarian Community and Federal Government Structures concerned by humanitarian related activities. 
• Establish and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including humanitarian actors, Federal and states government representatives, religious and traditional leaders in areas of operation to ensure humanitarian information flow from OCHA to partners and vice versa and ensure their participation in operations.

Ensure proper monitoring and reporting focusing on achievement of the following:

• Field visits to Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States and support the collection of field information to monitor and improve ongoing response, coordination activities and information products. 
• Prepare succinct reports on the key humanitarian issues and workings with Federal Government partners to provide analysis on response gaps and advocacy issues.

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.

Client Orientation: 

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; 
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
• Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; 
• Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; 
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; 
• Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree or equivalent in political science, sociology, law, international relations, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional four (4) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years with Master’s degree and/or 4 Years with Bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible experience in political science, sociology, law, international relations, or a related field is required. 
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in the field preferably in complex emergency and inter-agency contexts particularly the North-East of Nigeria, dealing with relief and transitional issues is desirable. 
• Experience with UN policies, rules, and procedures, particularly in relation to humanitarian response and coordination, and knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance, especially the humanitarian reform agenda is desirable. 
• Experience in research, analyzing, evaluate, and synthesize information is desirable. 
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power Point etc.) and experience in handling web-based management systems.