Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Papua New Guinea – home to 50% of the population of the Pacific region – faces a variety of challenges with humanitarian consequences as a result of regular natural disasters (earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, frost, drought, tsunamis), conflicts, civil strife and governance issues. The hazard profile of Papua New Guinea comprises frequent localized disasters affecting specific communities and regions although there have also been less frequent large-scale disasters such as the 2015/16 El Niño-induced drought and frost and the 2018 Highlands Earthquake. National and sub-national capacities for and investment in disaster risk management remain weak. There is broad variation in national, provincial and local capacities to plan for and effectively respond to humanitarian emergencies. The need to strengthen co-ordination and communication between national and provincial institutions responsible for humanitarian planning, preparedness, response and recovery, remains a priority. 

Following the departure of UN OCHA from Papua New Guinea in June 2015, UNDP assumed the role of humanitarian response coordination in addition to its overall responsibility to conduct operational activities for disaster mitigation, prevention and preparedness. This humanitarian response coordination role includes contingency planning, managing information sharing and coordination of international humanitarian partners’ interventions. It is the focal point for emergencies within the UN System and provides secretariat support to the UN Resident Coordinator, UN Country Team, Disaster Management Team, Inter-Cluster Coordination Group and, as appropriate, the National Disaster Centre.

In this context, UNDP is seeking a national Humanitarian Coordination Assistant to work under the supervision of the Humanitarian Coordination Specialist to support these activities. The position will be responsible for ensuring that information required to effectively monitor and support humanitarian actions is collected, organised and disseminated in a timely manner to all relevant stakeholders. Administrative duties will include organizing and reporting for meetings, conferences and training events as needed.

This position supports contingency planning, managing information sharing and coordination of international humanitarian partners’ interventions, and provides secretariat support to the UN Resident Coordinator, UN Country Team, Disaster Management Team, Inter-Cluster Coordination Group and, as appropriate, the National Disaster Centre.

This role supports desired project outcomes including the following:

  • Enhanced engagement between the DMT and national counterparts (National Disaster Centre, National Disaster Committee, other government agencies, NGOs, CSOs, churches)
  • Regular communication and information sharing between the humanitarian clusters, Disaster Management Team and national counterparts
  • Management of the Papua New Guinea country page for Humanitarian Response.Info.
  • Monitoring of emergencies and humanitarian actions in the country

Duties and Responsibilities

The Humanitarian Coordination Specialist will work directly under the supervision and guidance of the Humanitarian Affairs Specialist under UNDP Project Management Unit and with Programme, Operations, Communications in the Country Office for effective achievement of results and contribute to resolving programme/project-related and information delivery.

Strategic Leadership and Coordination

  • Lead and oversee national humanitarian coordination mechanisms, including the Disaster Management Team (DMT), Inter‑sector / Inter‑cluster Coordination Group, and contingency planning processes.
  • Act as the primary humanitarian coordination focal point for the UN system, liaising closely with the National Disaster Centre (NDC) and relevant government counterparts.
  • Deputize the UN Resident Coordinator or Deputy Resident Coordinator on humanitarian coordination matters, as required.
  • Provide strategic advice on humanitarian trends, risks, preparedness, and response priorities to senior UN leadership. 

Emergency Preparedness and Response

  • Lead preparedness planning, including contingency plans, scenario planning, and coordination protocols.
  • Support and, when requested by Government, coordinate humanitarian responses at national and sub‑national levels, including field‑level coordination through DMT members.
  • Ensure rapid activation and effective functioning of coordination mechanisms during emergencies.

Information Management and Reporting

  • Oversee the collection, analysis, and dissemination of humanitarian information, including needs assessments, response tracking, and gap analysis.
  • Ensure timely production of humanitarian situation reports, briefings, talking points, and analytical products for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Oversee the management and strategic use of HumanitarianResponse.info – Papua New Guinea country page, ensuring information quality, accessibility, and compliance with global standards. 

 Partnership, Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Management

  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with national and provincial authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, CSOs, faith‑based organizations, donors, and the private sector.
  • Promote effective information sharing and coordination among humanitarian partners.
  • Represent the UN system in humanitarian coordination forums, as delegated
  • Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy

Programme and Team Management

  • Provide overall leadership and supervision to humanitarian coordination and information management staff.
  • Manage project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting in line with approved work plans and budgets.
  • Ensure effective performance management, mentoring, and capacity development of team members and national counterpart

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
  • Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
  • Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy           

  • Business Acumen-Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization
  • System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Development          

  • Knowledge Facilitation-Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. 
  • Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Business Management           

  • Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
  • Partnerships Management-Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

2030 Agenda: 

  • Engagement and Effectiveness: Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement-Humanitarian assessment capacity
  • Data: Data analysis-Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in environmental science, emergency management or related areas is required. OR 
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above field with additional 2 years of progressive experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

  • A minimum of five (5) years ( with Master’s degree) or seven (7) years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressive experience in in project management within the disciplines of emergency management, humanitarian coordination, disaster risk reduction, natural resource management or other related development field.

Required skills:

  • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired skills:

  • Experience in writing documents for different audiences, including situation reports, project reports, communications with external stakeholders, presentations.
  • Experience in management including supervison of staff 
  • Experience in research
  • Experience in disaster risk management and humanitarian coordination issues in PNG 
  • Experience and knowledge of the international, regional and national Disaster Risk Management and Humanitarian Programme Cycle.
  • Experience in building professional networks and partnerships with national and international partners involved in emergency management.
  • Experience in direct emergency responses in PNG or Pacific Region 
  • Experience working in UN or any international organization. 

Required Language(s):

  • Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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