South Sudan: Humanitarian Affairs Officer P-3

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Malakal, South Sudan. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to the Head of the Field Coordination Unit.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Manages the sub office in Upper Nile State.

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in Upper Nile State, South Sudan.

• Participates in large, complex projects, to include disaster assessment or other missions; assists in the coordination of international humanitarian/emergency assistance for complex emergency/disaster situations and in ensuring the necessary support (e.g. staff, funding, specialized equipment, supplies, etc.); drafts situation reports to the international community, apprising of situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries.

• Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes and help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.

• Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, etc.

• Undertakes and provides support to technical assistance and other field missions, including assessments using the South Sudan Inter-Agency Initial Rapid Needs Assessment tool;

• Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications.

• Serves as the primary focal point for humanitarian partners in Upper Nile State; 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.

• Reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.

• Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.

• Provides guidance to, and supervise sub office staff.

• Performs other duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

Humanitarian partners

Representatives of other UN humanitarian agencies and other member organizations in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.

UN Mission and Member State personnel with responsibility for humanitarian issues, and non-governmental organization representatives and the academic community. Results Expected: Successfully managed sub office which adds value to the humanitarian response in Unity State. Provides sound analytical inputs and advice that contribute to improving institutional capacity and articulates policy on a growing number of humanitarian and relief assistance issues. Takes action to identify humanitarian affairs and related issues/problems and develops creative approaches to problem resolution. Provides timely delivery of assigned outputs. Develops partnerships and interacts effectively with colleagues internally and externally.

COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Analytical capacity and in particular the ability 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 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. 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.

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required. Relevant professional experience within OCHA is desirable. Relevant professional field experience in South Sudan is desirable.

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.

Languages:Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language would be an added advantage.

The position is intended to fill functions of short-term duration This temporary position is until 31 December 2014. All posts are subject to availability of funds.

Please state your full name and the temporary job opening notice number OCHA/G/38/2014 as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every temporary job opening announcement. Documents should be saved as pdf file, with the title formatted as follows: FAMILY NAMEgiven name Doc-t type.pdf. For example: GREY_Joe _PHP.pdf.

All applicants are requested to submit a completed personal history profile (PHP) to Vijai Pratap Singh singh139@un.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org.Please indicate the temporary job opening number OCHA/G/38/2014 in the Subject of your e-mail.

Note that applications to United Nations Secretariat positions can be generated in the new Inspira recruitment system. We encourage you to create an electronic personal history profile and to apply to these and other positions for which you are interested and qualified at http://inspira.un.org

Note that applicants’ eligibility cannot be fully assessed if the personal history profile is not properly completed. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

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Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her; in this context, all staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers In accordance with established rules and procedures.

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