Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Head of the Field Support Unit) will be responsible for the following duties:
• Serves as a senior field officer with an expectation of considerable virtual and physical surge support to OCHA sub-offices and other UN/INGO partners in different parts of the country, as required, including areas newly affected by conflict.
• Works closely with the Access Unit to develop and suggest solutions to overcome access constraints in various parts of the country and collaborates with Unit staff on engagement with stakeholders to overcome access constraints as required.
• Serves as a policy officer providing advice on overall policy direction on specific issues; and, more generally, reviews and provides advice on a diverse range of policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and the linkages with other related areas. Prepares policy position papers for review.
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/ management programmes or emergency situations in assigned areas.
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex responses, coordinates humanitarian/ emergency assistance for complex emergency/disaster situations; ensures necessary support (e.g. staff, funding, specialized equipment, supplies, etc.); prepares situation reports specifying unmet needs and gaps.
• Assists in capacity-building of partners for handling emergency situations. Initiates and coordinates activities related to technical cooperation and technical assistance in disaster response and disaster response preparedness, provides technical support to field work.
• Analyzes and assists in introducing new technologies for disaster warning/management.
• Organizes and prepares studies on relevant humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues, organizes follow-up work and ensures the implementation of recommendations emanating from relevant studies.
• Assists or leads, as appropriate, in the preparation of OCHA reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, etc.
• Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate complex humanitarian and emergency assistance delivery, helps ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.
• Establishes and maintains contacts with local counterparts, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.; ensures appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UN system, including on early warning and contingency planning, etc.
• 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., ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues.
• Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
• Provides dynamic leadership and clear work direction to the Field Support Unit colleagues, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior officers.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of a wide range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues. Proven experience in surging into new areas to set up or scale-up coordination structures. Ability to support HCs/HCTs in complex operational settings, lead inter-cluster coordination groups, and engage in negotiations with parties to a conflict, ideally in the region. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, including ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response. Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Knowledge of region or country of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions. Ability to negotiate and influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery). Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/ recommendations. Ability to relate humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, economic, social and human rights programmes in the affected country/region. 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.
• 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; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• 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.
• 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.

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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other 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.
Experience managing the humanitarian programme cycle at the national and sub-national level is required.
Experience coordinating cash and voucher assistance is desirable.
Experience in the UN common system or in a comparable international organization is desirable.
Experience in the region (Southeast Asia/the Pacific) is desirable.

Languages

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