Panama: Humanitarian Affairs Officer

Background

I. Position Information:

This position is located in the United Nations office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN- OCHA) Regional Office for Latina America and the Caribbean (ROLAC). The Humanitarian Affairs Officer (HAO) reports to the Regional Disaster Response Advisor (RDRA).

II. Organizational Context and Reporting Relationships:

This position is located in the United Nations office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN- OCHA) Regional Office for Latina America and the Caribbean (ROLAC). The Humanitarian Affairs Officer (HAO) reports to the Regional Disaster Response Advisor (RDRA).

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected:

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

Support the Regional Disaster Response Advisor:

1. Support/backstop the Regional Disaster Response Advisor (RDRA) when required, in regional advocacy activities and emergency response activities, donor liaison, monitoring, information gathering and analysis and rapid response mechanisms in support of humanitarian response.

2. Ensure implementation of OCHA´s regional capacity development strategy.

3. Develop, and participate in, conferences and workshops, with particular relevance to key partners in the region, particularly in the areas of disaster preparedness and response, and the use of OCHA tools and mechanisms in the field.

4. Work closely with the National Disaster Response Advisor (NDRA) to assist in strengthening emergency response capacity of countries in the area of responsibility, particularly in information and operations management.

5. Advice UN Resident Coordinator along with NDRA’s on accessing and managing emergency funds, ensuring timely planning, management and reporting.

6. Monitor ongoing and new developments in disaster and emergency situations and produce inputs for OCHA situation reports.

7. Support emergency operations during by collecting information and providing up-to-date.

8. Available to deploy on mission in support or as surge capacity as required.

9. Work with the information unit to prepare and develop regular and emergency situation reports, ensuring pertinent inputs and analysis from program themes.

10. Serve as emergency duty officer when required.

11. Review periodical reports and documentation from National Disaster Response Advisors (NDRA) and participate in the teleconferences when required

12. Contribute to the creation and monitoring of work plans and related budgets.

13. Performs other related duties as required by the Coordination Unit or any other tasks necessary for the overall functioning of the office in compliance with ROLACs work plan objectives.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

Staff internal to OCHA ROLAC, officers and staff within OCHA departments/sections/units in Geneva and New York Headquarters, OCHA staff in the region, consultants, REDLAC partners, government authorities, corporate partners, NGOs, donors, Regional and National UN agencies, and other key international partner organizations.

Results Expected:

Works with minimum amount of supervision; independent provision of accurate reports and/or records in the areas of work programming, information management, training deliver, and other programmatic functions; efficiently works and collaborates with staff involved in the unit. Is proactive in identification of needs and opportunities related to the goals of the disaster section and communicates in a professional, precise, and timely manner with OCHA staff and other partners.

Competencies

• Professionalism– Ability and experience across a broad range of support functions, e.g., work programme, human resources, etc. Knowledge and application of the UN systems and Staff Regulations and Rules. High degree of commitment to ensure the proper use of the organizations resources.
• Planning and Organizing– Effective organizational skills and ability to prioritise own work programme and that of more junior staff.
• Commitment to continuous learning– Initiative and willingness to learn new skills and become familiar with disaster preparedness and response standards and approaches.
• Technological Awareness– Solid computer skills, including proficiency and knowledge OCHAs operations, UN Rules and Regulations. Full proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other IT applications
• Teamwork– Good interpersonal skills; ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with budget/finance, human resource counterparts and client departments.
• Communication– Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

The successful candidate must have a university degree in social sciences, international or political studies, emergency prepardness, crisis/emergency relief management and/or coordination, project management or related fields.

Experience:

Candidates must have a minimum of five years of progresively responsible relevant professional experience in humanitarian affairs. Experience within the UN system or related organizations is an asset.

Language:

Fluency in oral and written English and Spanish is required.

Other skills:

Ability to work productively under pressure and cope with the tight and unforseen deadlines typical of emergency operations is required.

To apply for this position please click the following link:

https://jobs.partneragencies.net/erecruitjobs.html?JobOpeningId=23557&hrs_jo_pst_seq=1&hrs_site_id=2