Humanitarian Affairs Officer Job Vacancy at UN Somalia

Job Title:Humanitarian Affairs Officer, P3 Department/ Office: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Duty Station: MOGADISCIO Posting Period: 26 April 2012-26 May 2012 Job Opening number: 12-HRA-OCHA-23611-R-MOGADISHU (X) United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for Somalia. The incumbent reports directly to the Deputy Head of Office in Mogadishu, under the overall leadership of the Head of Office for OCHA Somalia. Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Provide substantial assistance in the implementation of inclusive, field-level humanitarian coordination mechanisms, including liaison with relevant UN operational agencies, NGOs, and local authorities; • Assist in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the designated county’s humanitarian work plan (usually expressed through the Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP)/ Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP)); • Assist in the regular monitoring and analysis of developments in the designated country and support the preparation of analytical reports highlighting social, political, humanitarian and other relevant factors affecting the overall humanitarian situation; • Draft and prepare regular situation papers/reports highlighting relevant operational factors affecting the humanitarian situation and response efforts; • Monitor humanitarian risks to ensure that the various contingency plans are consistent and well-coordinated including availability of resources; • Support inter-agency contingency planning; • Support advocacy initiatives on issues impacting humanitarian needs and response efforts through the collection of information, liaison with humanitarian partners, government officials, and media, development of appropriate strategies, etc.; • Provide substantial support to sector / cluster working groups as required and facilitate exchange on cross cutting issues; • Facilitate substantive linkages between emergency response, preparedness/prevention, rehabilitation and ongoing recovery programmes as well as with other related areas such as peace building, human rights, etc.; • Support the collection of field information to improve coordination activities and information products such as who does what where and inter-agency reports; • Assist in matters related to natural disasters, including drafting situation reports and flash appeals, preparing costs plans for cash contributions made by/through OCHA and final reporting on their use; participation in/support to UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) missions; • Facilitate / participate in interagency assessment missions to build consensus on sector and geographic priorities; • Liaise with humanitarian partners on the collection of information to effectively map areas of humanitarian needs and response activities in support of coordination efforts; and track information required for early warning of potential conflict and conflict-related vulnerability; • Support and participate in assessments, lessons learned and evaluations; • Participate in the work planning process and assist in managing the daily operations of the Field / Sub-Office including support for resource mobilization as well as financial, administrative and security (Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) / Minimum Operating Residential Security (MORSS)) management, as required; • Support human resources planning and management in field and/or sub-offices including: recruitment, supervision and support of junior and/or national staff; • Perform other duties, as assigned by the Head of Office or his/her designate. Competencies • Professionalism: -Sound knowledge of and exposure to the field of humanitarian assistance, protection and human rights issues, strong analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyse the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response -Ability to identify humanitarian-related issues and to use knowledge/judgement in resolving potential problems, including ability to evaluate information from a variety of sources to assess the impact of the humanitarian situation in assigned field duty station/area/region -Good understanding of institutional mandates, policies and guiding principles related to humanitarian affairs and humanitarian reform and of the institutions of the UN system, in particular, the mandate and core humanitarian polices of OCHA; and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. - Thorough knowledge of civ-mil affairs to coordinate with AMISOM and other military actors on the ground. - Experience in preparation of the Consolidated Appeals Process. Good coordination skills for building partnerships with NGOs, local and international (Medecins Sans Frontieres, International Committee of the Red Cross, etc.). Sound knowledge of gender issues such as Gender Based Violence and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (GBV and PSEA). • 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. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments -Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards -Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules -Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments -Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Work Experience A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, inter-agency coordination, programme/fund management in the humanitarian and/or development context or in other related area is required. At least three (3) years of professional experience at the international level are required. Relevant professional field experience (a field setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) especially in a high risk area and in a complex emergency situation is required. Experience in producing substantive analysis/reports is required. Relevant professional experience within the UN common system is desirable. Previous professional experience in the region is highly desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. Fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of Arabic, Turkish, or Somali is desirable. Assessment Method Evaluation of qualified applicants may include assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Language skills may be assessed during the competency-based interview as appropriate. Special Notice This position is funded for a period of at least one year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. United Nations Considerations The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS. How to Apply; https://inspira.un.org/psc/UNCAREERS/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Page=UN_JOB_DETAIL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=23611&