Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Pooled Fund Manager), P4 at United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - UNOCHA

Org. Setting and Reporting

• The position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
• OCHA is part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.
• OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts.
• 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 the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.
• This position-specific job opening is being advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Pooled Fund Manager and is based in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Under overall supervisor of the Head of Office, OCHA Nigeria, the incumbent reports to the Deputy Head of Office and will manage the Humanitarian Financing Unit.

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Pooled Fund Manager, will be responsible for the following duties:

Fund Management and Coordination:

• Under the supervision of the HoO, advise the HC on the management of the Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF);
• Manage and oversee fund allocation processes ensuring necessary coordination with relevant counterparts in line with the Terms of Reference and/or allocation guidelines (i.e. Review and/or Advisory Boards, cluster or sector leads; humanitarian organizations; and OCHA);
• Manage the overall administration of the Fund and liaise as necessary with relevant OCHA HQ sections
• Supervise the fund management team
• Monitor the implementation of Fund strategies as endorsed by the HC, in consultation with OCHA HoO, promoting coherence between humanitarian needs and response;
• Lead in policy development, including the review and analysis of humanitarian issues at the country level, ensuring proper coordination with FCS;
• Advise the HC and the HoO on risk management and risk mitigation;
• Ensure implementation and compliance with policies and standard guidelines in accordance with HC decisions and HQ guidance;
• Oversee recipient organizations’ compliance with financial rules applicable to the Fund;
• Ensure proper communication and support during the allocation process to all stakeholders;
• Support recipient organizations throughout project life-cycle promoting compliance with applicable rules;
• Liaise with contributing donors in and outside the country as necessary; Ensure coordination and information exchange with other donors aiming to promote coordinated and complementary use of funds (including CERF when appropriate);
• Represent the Fund management unit before stakeholders (NGO, UN Agencies, donors) and external actors as required;
• Undertake periodic field visits to promote the knowledge and appropriate use of the Fund in line with its Terms of Reference; field visits should focus on key actors (i.e. OCHA field colleagues, recipient organizations, local governments, communities).

Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation:

• Ensure compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements in place for the Fund;
• Oversee and ensure timely project reporting cycle, including the annual report of the Fund;
• Systematically provide information on project status to the HC, the HoO, donors and relevant governing bodies of the Fund;
• Support the preparation of evaluations, reviews and studies as requested by the HC and governing bodies ensuring due consultation with relevant HQ sections (FCS, EGS).

Analysis, Communications and Public Information:

• Conduct and update periodic analyses of humanitarian financing information, funding trends and requirements, gathering data from all relevant sources;
• Liaise with OCHA field offices aiming at the largest dissemination of information about the scope, the access and the allocation process of the Fund;
• In collaboration with relevant OCHA, field offices and OCHA HQ sections ensure appropriate dissemination of information about the Fund through different communication products (i.e. bulletins, feature stories, photographs/videos, websites, CHF Annual Report etc.);
• Perform other duties as assigned by the OCHA Head of Office.

Education

• An Advanced University Degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Social Science, Public Administration, International Studies, Economics or a related field is required.
• A first-level University Degree in combination with additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced University Degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, project management, budget management, or related area is required.
• Humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is required.
• Direct project management or project supervision experience is required.
• Previous work experience in areas of project management, monitoring and evaluation, and administration is required.
• Experience in the design of policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance is desirable.
• Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is desirable.

Competencies
Professionalism:

• Sound knowledge of and exposure to a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian issues, to include approaches and techniques to address difficult problems
• Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian and protection 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; ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights and protection 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; take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Proven drafting skills.
• Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining humanitarian assistance.
• Knowledge of the UN common system and NGOs, and commonly used computer applications including MS Word and Excel.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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.

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.

Languages:

• French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment:

• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.