Humanitarian Affairs Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

• Develop OCHA-led coordination mechanisms in line with the humanitarian architecture • Produce flash reports, weekly situation updates and additional reports as required.
• Coordinate with local authorities and humanitarian agencies to scale up the humanitarian response within the guidelines of mutually agreed Principles of Engagement. • Produce assessment reports as required on humanitarian developments and/or new emergencies. • Monitor the inter-agency response to ensure timely implementation of activities. • As an active OCHA team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to OCHA and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Sub Office in South Kordofan or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following:

• Monitor, analyze, and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management, and/or emergency situations in the assigned area. • Organize or prepare studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; leads / participates in inter-agency meetings to support humanitarian work and decision-making on humanitarian issues. • Drafts and prepares situation papers / reports, highlighting relevant operational issues affecting the humanitarian situation in and response efforts. • Ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting; provides information and advice on a range of related humanitarian issues. • Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programs; and help ensure that the latest findings, lessons learned, policy, guidelines, etc are incorporated into these activities, including gender and AAP related considerations. • Leads / support as required inter-agency coordination efforts • Leads / supports the production of appeals for international assistance, ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA – such as SFH, CERF, etc. • Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other humanitarian partners, diplomatic missions, and non-state actors to facilitate principled humanitarian interventions • Undertakes and provides support and technical assistance to field missions • Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents, and communications e.g., drafts sections of studies, papers, policy guidelines, briefings, case studies, presentations, etc. • Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters. • Support administrative functions in line with UN rules and regulations • Perform other duties as required

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Professionalism • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Planning and organizing • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards OCHA mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• Progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area required. • Field experience in humanitarian affairs in a complex emergency or natural disasters is required. • Independent, self-starter with experience in remote, hardship locations. • Experience in a humanitarian context with the UN common system, INGOs, or other comparable international organization is desirable. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Desirable: valid driver’s license. • Sound security awareness. • Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian affairs volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

The duty station has become newly accessible to the UN and is in a remote territory with a long history of conflict in Sudan. The area is quite remote. Culturally, residents of the Nuba Mountains are socially conservative and have a combination of Muslim, Christian and traditional religious influence. There is no mobile phone network or electricity for the local population. Humanitarian compounds rely on solar or generator power, internet communications and satellite phones. There are no banking facilities in the territory which operates on a cash-based system

Split into a dry season and rainy season, the dry season has manageable road access across all territories, albeit mostly on unmaintained dirt tracks. Flooding during the rainy season is an endemic hazard which renders movement difficult other than on main roads. The terrain is mountainous and the region has suffered from decades of under-development through the recurrent cycles of conflict. UN Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS) has a weekly service to the local airstrip.

Health care access in the location is limited. Food availability is quite limited to locally grown grains, vegetables, meat, etc. plus access to some basic market supplies.

Sudan is a unique country and the Two Areas is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment; requires a significant level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Flexibility and the ability and willingness to live in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.