Humanitarian Affairs Officer

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 131,997 USD and 170,183 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Needs and Response Analysis Section (NARAS), Assessment, Planning & Monitoring Branch (APMB), Coordination Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Istanbul, Turkey. OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.

The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports directly to the Chief of Section.

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

• Serves as a senior policy officer; advise on overall policy direction on humanitarian needs and response analysis that includes a specific focus on accountability and inclusion of affected people; incorporates respects for humanitarian principles and fosters linkages with other related areas, including development, peacebuilding and human rights.
• Prepares policy position papers to support development on needs assessment and response analysis, including incorporating priority cross-cutting issues such as gender, disability, diversity, accountability, etc.
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments globally as well as in assigned areas of responsibility.
• Initiates and coordinates activities related to technical cooperation projects on needs and response analysis, including ensuring the inclusion of key cross cutting priorities (gender, disability, accountability, etc.); formulates project proposals and relevant project documents as required. Provides technical support to field operations in managing essential elements of the humanitarian program cycle, including the production of humanitarian needs overviews and response plans.
• Analyzes and assists in introducing new approaches, methodologies, tools and guidance for application in humanitarian assessment, planning and monitoring.
• Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organizes follow-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making.
• Takes the leads in communications related to the humanitarian program cycle including the preparation of / contribution to OCHA, UN and donor reports, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, background papers, key messages, etc.
• Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate complex humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes; helps ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.
• Establishes and maintains contacts with other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, academic institutions, etc.; supporting coordination structures to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UN system.
• Serves as the primary focal point on accountability and inclusion issues impacting humanitarian responses; keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc. to monitor and report on developments.
• Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
• May participate in planning and preparation of unit 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.

  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 humanitarian needs and response analysis, including cross cutting elements of gender, disability and other areas of inclusion and accountability to affected people. Ability to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a stressful environments (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. Ability to organize and facilitate trainings and workshops. Proven ability to lead / facilitate inter-agency and multi-stakeholder initiatives / processes. Ability to produce high-quality products for a variety of clients, under tight deadlines. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of humanitarian assessment, planning and associated accountability and inclusivity requirements. 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

  Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required.

  Proven reporting and technical writing skills, including the ability to produce high-quality reports, communication materials, and guidance is required.

  Experience in assessment development, planning, and analysis, including incorporating and analyzing gender, disability and other diversity elements is required.

  Strong facilitation or training skills are desirable.

  A minimum of three (3) years of relevant international field experience that includes supporting humanitarian assessments, planning and related processes in the past seven (7) years is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and knowledge of French or Spanish or Arabic is desirable.

  Assessment The evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

  Special Notice The duration of the assignment on the post of Humanitarian Affairs Officer, in the Needs and Response Analysis Section of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Istanbul, will be for an initial period of one year. If the assignment is subsequently extended, the total period of the assignment may not exceed the maximum period of four years.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.