Humanitarian Affairs Officer at United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This section provides an overview of OCHAs mandate, its leadership and how it is funded. It also includes a detailed section on OCHAs flagship and thematic publications, and on the Agenda for Humanity - a plan put forward by the UN Secretary-General calling on global leaders to stand up for our common humanity and reduce humanitarian suffering.

 

Humanitarian Affairs Officer

• Job TypeFull Time
• QualificationBA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
• Experience7 years
• LocationNairobi
• Job FieldLaw / Legal  , Project Management
  

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

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on trends and developments relating to interplay between climate and humanitarian crises and related operations; identifies and documents good practices; and develops and maintains a “watch list” of countries with potential for humanitarian crisis.   
• Provides technical, policy and operational advice on the climate crisis and humanitarian issues and operations in the region; and, more generally, reviews and provides advice on a diverse range of policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and the linkages with other related areas (e.g. human rights, environment, etc.).   
• Prepares or contributes to the development of reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, background papers and talking points relating to climate issues and humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues, and supports policy development work and decision-making on important issues.   
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with key stakeholders, including UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, academia, think thanks and other actors monitoring and analyzing humanitarian isuses; 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.   
• Supports strategic planning and evaluation of 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.   
• Provides technical and operational support to OCHA offices and partners, upon request, on issues relating to climate and humanitarian operations; inter-agency coordination and negotiations with stakeholders on key issues.    
• Supports capacity-building for handling emergency situations; develops country-specific indicators for countries of concern in collaboration with area experts and ensures the subsequent monitoring of these indicators; recommends actions based on the analysis of pertinent information.   
• Initiates and coordinates activities related to technical cooperation and technical assistance projects in disaster response and disaster response preparedness; formulates project proposals and relevant project documents; provides technical support to field work; reviews and clears project reports for submission to governments.   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.    
• Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.   Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism:  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. Excellent drafting, communication skills, organization and coordination skills. Knowledge of the key elements of the climate crisis and its impact. Knowledge of region or country of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions. 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.  
• 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. 
• 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.

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 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, development, or other related area is required.    
• Experience in humanitarian coordination and working with multiple partners in an inter-agency setting within the UN common system or in a comparable international organization is required.  
• Experience in working on the various aspects of disaster risk reduction and preparedness in a humanitarian setting is required.    
• Experience in conducting analysis on humanitarian trends and developments, reviewing reports and drafting recommendations for senior management is required.    
• Experience in planning and resource mobilization for operations is required.    
• Humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable.  
• Experience working in East Africa, South Asia and/or Latin America is desirable.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified? Go to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on careers.un.org to apply