HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Contract

This is a NO-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-3 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting The UN Secretary-General's launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the RCO Humanitarian Affairs Adviser/UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and with the functional guidance from OCHA ROAP and UNDRR Asia-Pacific Regional Office, the National Humanitarian Affairs Specialist will be responsible for supporting the coordination of humanitarian affairs with the members of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) as well as the members and partners of the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT). The Humanitarian Affairs Specialist works in close collaboration with HCTT members at the policy, technical and operational levels, and liaises with programme officers of humanitarian agencies, donors and other humanitarian actors ensuring successful liaison and support to the Government of Bangladesh. S/He supports the functioning of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus approach notably through facilitating the liaison between the HCTT and the Local Consultative Groups. S/He will also assist the Humanitarian Affairs Advisor to monitor, analyze and report to the UN Resident Coordinator on the impact of the humanitarian situation in country.

This position is located in the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. SUPPORT THE IMPROVEMENT OF TOOLS, DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL FOR BETTER SITUATION ANALYSIS AND PRIORITIZATION OF HUMANITARIAN AND DRR INTERVENTIONS: - Support the development of a functional Information Management Platform including the formulation of a comprehensive Strategic Plan and Work Plan to support the use of data and information. - Support the design of IM tools and capacity development initiatives for data collection, analysis, mapping/visualization and sharing to improve decision-making. - Support more credible, comprehensive, and evidence-based situational analysis using Early Warning System (EWS) and contribute to the development of impact-based early warning system. - Support the regular analysis and monitoring of country risks in partnership with existing development-focused coordination platforms.

2. FACILITATE THE IMPROVEMENT OF IN COUNTRY FUNCTIONALITY OF IASC COORDINATED COMMON COUNTRY FRAMEWORK (CCF) AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS (ERP): - Support increased level of legal preparedness for accepting international support and technical assistance in line with its global commitments and in support from IFRC. - Support the implementation of a strengthened Common Country Framework (CCF) and Emergency Response Preparedness (ERP) including relevant Anticipatory Actions coordinating through national cluster system with partnership with The Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative (CADRI), UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and relevant national and international organisations. - Support the development and implementation of collective risk communication strategy mobilizing inter-agency efforts for disaster risk reduction for resilience. - Support the development and implementation of a collective feedback mechanism as a ‘common service’ to the entire humanitarian community including comprehensive database of vulnerable people at risk of disasters to improve their resilience capacity including data sharing protocol. - Support the improvement of approaches for accountability, inclusion and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). - Support the strengthening of joint anticipatory and post needs assessment to inform prioritization consistence with the choices of the vulnerable people. - Support the strengthening of coordination of Sphere inter-agency initiatives for principles and minimum humanitarian standards to address the vulnerable people’s priorities

3. STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS FOR INCREASED INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY ON HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS AND DRR FOR RESILIENCE: - Support inter-agency coordination efforts through Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT), national cluster system and through different technical working groups. - Support building national and local authorities’ capacities to develop and implement response/Anticipatory plans and use risk information through a participatory process involving the most vulnerable households. - Support consensus-building on common thresholds and triggers for response/anticipatory actions - Assist with the coordination efforts support to the current Anticipatory Action/Forecast based Action (AA/FbA) taskforce and ensure coherence/consistence among the many stakeholders Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, UN, Government of Bangladesh, NGOs (BDRCS, UN, GoB, NGOs) - Assist key donors on policy and strategic coordination through facilitating strong collaboration with The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and the rest of the humanitarian community including support regional and international agenda for better exchange of knowledge and expertise. - Assist in promoting increased collaboration with Development Partners (DPs) on Earthquake Preparedness including joint exercise with GoB and other stakeholders. - Support in connecting the humanitarian piece to the LCG/development actors (particularly on the pieces related to shock responsive safety nets, preparedness, etc.) - Facilitate exchange of good practices as well as building coherence between national level initiatives and DRR interventions in Cox’s Bazar. - Support the GoB in the implementation of its Civil-Military Coordination (CMCoord) priorities including on Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) and Civil Military Coordination Assessment.

4. FACILITATE COLLECTIVE ANTICIPATORY AND POST HUMANITARIAN AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (DRR) ACTIONS FOR SAVING LIFE AND ASSETS TO THE VULNERABLE EXPOSED POPULATION RELATED TO CLIMATE RELATED DISASTER: - Support the integration of risk reduction as nexus issues in the Humanitarian Program Cycle as well as Disaster Risk Management including promote conflict sensitive tools and analysis for program design and implementation. - Assist with the development of Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs) and robust response monitoring including financial tracking. - Support efforts to operationalize localization through local stakeholders strengthen engagement in humanitarian coordination efforts through Localisation Technical Working Group. - Assist in the preparation, dissemination and advocacy for the use of climate change information or implementing practices/ actions to improve resilience to climate change. - Support data analysis, and identify ways to make progress on reporting against localization indicators. - Support the strengthening of the engagement with the private sector to support risk reduction, mitigation, preparedness and resilience-building. - Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. - Ensures that requirements, background information used for data analysis are documented. - Performs other duties as required.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic resources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to deliver high quality training and presentations to high level audience. The ability to analyze and interpret and organise data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.

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.

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.

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in Disaster Management, Economics, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, or related field, is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage

Work Experience A minimum of five (5) years of working experience in the humanitarian and DRR related field with at least two years of professional experience in particular working with the UN, or other regional or international intergovernmental/non-governmental organizations), is required.

Experience in working with the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) and relevant global agendas in the national humanitarian and Disaster Risk Reduction landscape, is desirable.

Demonstrated experience and knowledge working with Government national disaster risk management institutions, international and national humanitarian coordination mechanisms and civil society organizations working on humanitarian issues, is desirable.

Experience with Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination (CMCoord) concepts is desirable.

A minimum of two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Bengali/Bangla, (both oral and written) is required.

Note: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of' equals a rating of "confident in two of the four areas.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone/teleconference or face-to-face.

Special Notice This is a Temporary Job Opening. Appointment against this position is UNTIL 31 AUGUST 2023, a limited duration and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal.

THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF BANGLADESH ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Bangladesh nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Bangladesh in the event of an employment offer.

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.

Note to current staff members at the General Service level: Should a current General Service staff member (not on Continuing or Permanent Appointment) be selected for this post, he/she would need to resign from his/her General Service appointment before receiving a new appointment at the National Officer level.

Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements.

"Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. "

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.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat.

Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

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.