Post Title: HUMANITARIAN
AFFAIRS OFFICER
Location :
New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Application Deadline :
01-Dec-13
Additional
Category Democratic Governance
Type of Contract
: FTA International
Post Level :
P-4
Languages Required :English
French
Background on the WHS:
The landscape of humanitarian action
has changed since 1991, when a landmark resolution of the United Nations
General Assembly established the international humanitarian response system as
it is known today. Growth in the scope and diversity of humanitarian needs, and
a more complex operating environment, have created new risks. There are also
new opportunities: a wider range of actors and inter-operating networks are
involved, and innovations improve service delivery in each response. This is
why preparations are under way for the first World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) in
2015. The United Nations Secretary-General has requested that the Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) organize the summit, to help a
changing humanitarian community work together better to serve people in need.
It is a unique opportunity to take stock and adapt. The summit will be the
highlight in a process of change that begins now, but lasts well beyond the
event itself. It will set the agenda for work beyond 2015 to make humanitarian
action more inclusive, global and effective – and overall, fit for the future.
The Summit will focus on a few core
themes to set the agenda. Four broad categories have emerged from recent policy
discussions.
These are:
1) Aid
effectiveness;
2) How to better
serve people in conflict;
3) Reducing
vulnerability and managing risk; and
4) Innovation.
For more information on the
background to the Summit (Location, Timing, Themes, Consultation Process etc.),
please visit: www.worldhumanitariansummit.org. Please find also the document
WHS at a Glance attached to the Terms of Reference as an integral part of them.
Duties and Responsibilities
Responsibilities:
Within delegated authority, the
Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following
duties:
Supports the
organization of the Summit preparatory conferences, including identifying
conference hosts, preparing agendas, identifying participants and supervising
the administrative tasks related to these conferences;
Supports the
development and implementation of an advocacy and communications strategy for
the WHS, in close collaboration with the Communications and Service Branch.
This will also include managing the Summit web , moderating communities of
practice related to the three themes of the Summit and ensuring that the Summit
Task Teams provide regular updates to the website;
Supports the
Chair of the World Humanitarian Summit Secretariat and other senior
humanitarian affairs officer, as the primary focal point on the WHS; 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;
Supports the
Chair of the WHS Steering Group in organizing the WHS Steering Group meetings,
preparing background documentation, taking notes and minutes of these meetings;
Prepares WHS
policy position papers for review;
Establishes and
maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies,
non-governmental organizations, 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.;
Organizes and
participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other
agencies and partners on the WHS;
May participate
in planning and preparation of WHS Secretariat budget and work program.
Provides
leadership and work direction to assigned work team, and/or mentors and
supervises the work of new/junior officers;
Performs other
duties as required.
Work implies frequent interaction
with the following:
Staff at all
levels within OCHA both in New York and Geneva;
Humanitarian
Coordinators and their staff in the field, as well as Programme Managers,
Regional Commissions
UN Resident
Coordinators in disaster-prone developing countries;
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;
Delegations,
government officials and partners in universities and research institutes, etc.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
Demonstrate
corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Self-development,
initiative-taking;
Acting as a team
player and facilitating work;
Managing
conflict;
Learning and
sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
Informed and
transparent decision making.
Functional Competencies:
Professionalism:
Knowledge of wide
range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief 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.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced
university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social
science, public administration, international studies, communications or a
related field;
A first-level
university degree in combination with 9 years of 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,
emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation,
development, or other related area.
Language:
Fluency in one of
the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and
written) is required;
Knowledge of
another UN official language is an
advantage.
Other:
Previous
experiences in organizing conferences and supporting the management of large
stakeholder working groups would be an advantage.
Read more information bout this job posting on the website
below;
http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=41517