South Sudan: Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Humanitarian Policy Advisor P-4 /// OCHA/G/121/2015

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Juba, South Sudan. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to the Head of Office, OCHA South Sudan, through the Senior Humanitarian Officer/Deputy Head of Office.

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

1. Responsible for overall management of the humanitarian policy team (five professional staff), and ensuring delivery against OCHA South Sudan’s key objectives of establishing and maintaining humanitarian access through humanitarian negotiations with all conflict parties, leading on civil-military coordination with other relevant military actors including UNMISS, and working with humanitarian protection actors to ensure enhanced protection of affected populations.
2. Overall management of reports, policy/position papers, talking points and background notes on access, civil-military coordination, and protection issues.
3. Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management programmes or emergency situations in assigned country/area.
4. Participates in OCHA senior management team discussions/meetings to develop overall OCHA South Sudan strategy.
5. Participates/represents OCHA South Sudan in humanitarian coordination fora (HCT, ICWG, etc.) and other external meetings as requested by OCHA leadership.
6. Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN Agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 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.
7. 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.
8. Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
9. May participate in planning and preparation of unit budget and work program.
10. Provides leadership and work direction to assigned work team, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior officers.
11. Performs other duties as required.

COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of wide range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief, civil-military coordination, humanitarian access, protection and related human rights issues. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include 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 to 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 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.

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

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 is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

EXPERIENCE: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs and emergency response (minimum three years of field experience, preferably in complex emergency settings), including experience in managing teams and developing/implementing humanitarian response or advocacy strategies is required. Experience in working on policy issues, especially civil-humanitarian access, military coordination, and protection, desirable.

LANGUAGE: English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency of English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

The position is intended to fill functions of short-term duration. This temporary position is offered for three (3) months (with possibility of extension). All posts are subject to availability of funds.

All applicants are requested to submit a completed personal history profile (PHP) to Joyce Mutukudzi: mutukutzi@un.org and OCHA CRD Staffing:ochacrdstaffing@un.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org .Please indicate just this reference: OCHA/G/121/2015 in the subject of your e-mail.

Documents should be saved as pdf file, with the title formatted as follows: Doc-t type _Given Name FAMILY NAME.pdf. For example: PHP_Joe GREY.pdf.

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. Potential candidates under serious consideration will be contacted by the hiring manager directly. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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