Humanitarian Affairs Officer, New York

• Organization: OCHA - Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
• Country: United States
• City: New York, USA
• Office: OCHA New York
• Grade: P-3

Closing date: Monday, 13 July 2015

Posting Title: Humanitarian Affairs Officer, P3

Job Code Title: HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER

Department/ Office: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 14 May 2015-13 July 2015

Job Opening number: 15-HRA-OCHA-43173-R-NEW YORK (X)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

This post is funded for a finite period of one year and may be subject to extension. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or availability of the funds.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.


Organizational Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in the Policy Analysis and Innovation Section (PAIS) of the Policy Development and Studies Branch of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) at Headquarters in New York. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to the Section Chief of PAIS.

Responsibilities

• Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties
• Supports the development of policy related to humanitarian action and prepares or contributes to the preparation of policy positions for OCHA on these issues.
• Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organizes preparatory and follow-up work, including inter-agency technical review meetings to support analysis, policy development work and decision-making on important issues.
• Assists in the development, preparation and implementation of humanitarian policy events.
• Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.
• Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc.
• Serves as the primary focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; 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.
• Reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring
• the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
• Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
• Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff.
• 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.
• Representatives of other UN humanitarian agencies and other member organizations in the Inter- Agency Standing Committee.
• UN Resident Coordinators in disaster-prone developing countries.
• UN Mission and Member State personnel with responsibility for humanitarian issues, and nongovernmental organization representatives and the academic community.

Results Expected

• Provides sound analytical inputs and advice that contribute to improving institutional capacity and articulates policy on a growing number of humanitarian and relief assistance issues.
• Takes action to identify humanitarian affairs and related issues/problems and develops creative approaches to problem resolution.
• Provides timely delivery of assigned outputs.
• Develops partnerships and interacts effectively with colleagues internally and externally.

Competencies

Professionalism

• Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems.
• Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response.
• Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems.
• Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and develop policy positions.
• Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery);
• ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff.
• 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.

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.

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.

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.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area.
• Experience in developing policy related to humanitarian action is required.
• Experience with developing humanitarian policy agendas such as innovation, humanitarian effectiveness, and risk and vulnerability is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• For the post advertised, fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of French is desirable.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment Method

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

United Nations Considerations

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.