Switzerland: Humanitarian Affairs Officer, P3 - OCHA Ref. No.: OCHA/G/134/2015

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This post is located in the Programme Support Branch (PSB) of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports directly to the Chief of Unit/Manager of the Financial Tracking Service (FTS).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Within the limits of delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Communicating with humanitarian organizations to obtain information on humanitarian funding and maintaining regular reporting arrangements with FTS, directly and regularly contacting (by telephone or e-mail) OCHA field offices, NGOs, donors and UN agencies;
• Obtaining contribution information relating to humanitarian response plans (HRPs) and flash appeals; establishing/maintaining reporting relationships; developing contacts with, and obtaining contribution information from, other humanitarian donors or recipients that do not regularly report to FTS (focusing on the largest humanitarian NGOs);
• In close liaison with the OCHA Donor Relations Section (DRS), supporting the FTS manager to develop contacts with the major contributors in the private sector to humanitarian action and reaching out to a broader array of UN Member States to obtain accurate funding updates to be posted on FTS;
• Collaborating with managers (in field and at Headquarters) of OCHA-managed country-specific pooled funds to accurately depict on FTS funding movements in and out of the pooled funds, and to support pooled fund grant management and visibility;
• Preparing and reviewing financial analyses and reports, including narrative analysis and financial tables;
• Overseeing financial aspects of new appeal document publication and related follow-up;
• Deploying to field to support appeal development or upstream training;
• Contributing as needed to technical development of FTS database and website, providing FTS user support and training, providing technical help to FTS users (by telephone or e-mail, or in person) as needed in response to requests;
• Conducting usability testing of, and user training in new FTS features, developing and updating FTS help tools (guide, tutorial), conducting training sessions and presentations as needed, training OCHA field staff in using FTS for programme cycle management.PROFESSIONALISM: Comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of humanitarian relief assistance and related human rights issues; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, including ability to analyse and articulate the humanitarian dimension of complex issues; demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve complex issues/problems; ability to work under extreme pressure; management and supervisory skills and ability to coach, mentor and develop staff; ability to coordinate the work of others; fully proficient computer skills and strong general quantitative skills; excellent interpersonal skills; excellent writer; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; 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.

COMPETENCIES

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.

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.

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.

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:A minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, or other closely related field is required. Practical experience in database development and management, content management system use, and in use of standard software packages (Word, PowerPoint) including advanced knowledge of Excel is required. Extensive experience with humanitarian financial tracking, humanitarian pooled funds, accounting and reporting systems, project information management, and humanitarian response plans (HRPs) and appeals is highly desirable. Relevant experience both at headquarters and in the field would be an advantage. Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system is desirable.

Education:Advanced university degree (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in political or social science, international studies, public administration, economics or in a technical or other or other relevant field is required; a first-level university degree (i.e. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in one of the above mentioned academic disciplines in combination with qualifying relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

Languages:Fluency in English (both verbal and written) is required; good working knowledge of French is an advantage; knowledge of Spanish or another UN official language is desirable.

The position is intended to fill functions of short-term duration This temporary position is for a period of ten (10) months. All posts are subject to availability of funds.

Please state your full name and the temporary job opening notice number**OCHA/G/134/2015** 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 NAME*given name* Doc-t type.pdf. For example: GREY_Joe _PHP.pdf.

All applicants are requested to submit a completed personal history profile (PHP) to Cedric Ferrari ferrari@un.org and ochavacancies@un.org .Please indicate the temporary job opening number OCHA/G/134/2015in 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. Potential candidates under serious consideration will be contacted by hiring manager directly. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

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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