Ukraine: Humanitarian Affairs Officer P-3 /// OCHA/G/139/2015

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Ukraine, Kharkiv. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to the Deputy Head of Office.

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

1. Responsible for the day-to-day management of the Kharkiv field office.
2. Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in assigned area.
3. Organizes follow-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues.
4. Drafts and prepares regular situation papers/reports highlighting relevant operational factors affecting the humanitarian situation and response efforts.
5. Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. reports on the situation in the AOR, drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc.
6. Assists in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the Office’s humanitarian work plan, usually expressed in the Strategic Response Plan.
7. Ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues.
8. Reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
9. 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.
10. Lead field-based coordination, assessments and operations, including support to sector / cluster working groups as required and facilitate exchange on cross cutting issues.
11. Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.
12. Support advocacy initiatives on issues impacting humanitarian needs and response efforts through the collection of information, liaison with humanitarian partners, government officials, the media, etc.
13. Undertakes and provides support to technical assistance and other field missions, e.g. participates in field trips to undertake in-depth reviews of specific country work mechanisms.
14. Organizes and participates in working groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
15. Performs other duties as required.

COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian 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.

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

EXPERIENCE: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required. Three years of relevant experience at the international level is required. Humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is required. Experience in the UN Common System is desirable. Experience in the region is desirable.

LANGUAGE: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Russian is required.

The position is intended to fill functions of short-term duration. This temporary position is initially offered until 31 December 2015 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: OCHA CRD Staffing:ochacrdstaffing@un.org with a copy to: ochavacancies@un.org .Please ONLY indicate this reference: OCHA/G/139/2015 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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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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