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

Organizational Setting and Reporting

• The position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
• OCHA is the 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 in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, OCHA Nigeria, the incumbent reports to the Deputy Head of Office.

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 Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF)
• 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 organisations throughout the 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 organisations, local governments, and 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.

Qualifications
Education:

• An Advanced University Degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Social Science, International Studies, Public Administration, Economics, Engineering, Earth Sciences or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with an 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 areas is required.
• Humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is required.
• Direct project management or project supervision experience is required.
• Experience in the design of policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance is desirable.
• Experience in a humanitarian context in the UN Common System or other comparable international organizations is desirable.
• Experience in the West and Central African region is desirable.

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.

Competencies:
Professionalism:

• Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance and related humanitarian issues.
• Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.
• Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.
• Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g., 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.

Planning and 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 clients.

Managerial Competencies:
Empowering Others:

• Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work
• Encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility
• Genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Assessment:

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