UNOCHA - Sr. Humanitarian Affairs Officer – Humanitarian Financing

This post is located in the Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU) in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA Syria. The post is based in Damascus, with possible travel to field locations. The incumbent reports to the Humanitarian Financing.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Ensure compliance with CBPF Guidelines and Operational manual;
• Assist in Preparation of fund related policies and Strategies;
• Assist in the general Management of the Fund.

Under the overall guidance of the OCHA Head of Office (HoO) and oversight of the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), the Humanitarian Affairs Officer – Humanitarian Financing will be responsible for the following duties:

Fund Management and Coordination:

• Under the supervision of the Fund Manager, support the overall management of the (SHF) in coherence with the humanitarian context (i.e. priorities and critical needs) and work on all aspects of programming, allocations and monitoring;
• Support the overall administration of the HFU and liaise as necessary requested with relevant OCHA HQ;
• Support and implement standardized policy in line with SHF guidelines;
• Assist in the management and supervision of HFU support staff as per the unit organogram;
• Support fund allocation processes ensuring necessary coordination with relevant counterparts in line with the Terms of Reference and/or allocation guidelines (i.e. Review and/or Advisory Boards, cluster or sector leads, humanitarian organizations, and OCHA);
• Liaise with NGOs, Red Cross/Red Crescent and UN partners as well as sectors and OCHA field offices to follow-up on project progress and overall SHF progress;
• Overseas and supervises all field focal points and ensure all projects are monitored as per set operational modalities set;
• Conduct periodic field visits to promote the knowledge and support the appropriate use of the SHF in line the set guidelines;
• Support proper communication during the allocation process to all stakeholders;
• Liaise with and provide necessary support to recipient organizations of the Fund throughout the life-cycle of the projects, promoting coherence between humanitarian needs and response;
• Advise the recipient organizations and stakeholders on measures to mitigate foreseeable operational risks;
• Ensure recipient organizations compliance with financial rules applicable to the Fund.

Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation:

• Oversees compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements in place for the SHF;
• Ensures timely overall project reporting as per set timelines;
• Research, analyse and present humanitarian financing information, funding trends and requirements, gathered from diverse sources;
• Assist in development of monitoring mechanisms in line with the country context to ensure accountability and efficient implementation of projects;
• Liaise with OCHA field offices and recipient organizations in order to disseminate full information on SHF activities;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of the Office.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• Team Leader and other Humanitarian Affairs Officer;
• UN agencies;
• International and national NGOs;
• Relevant government departments.

Impact of Results:

The key impact is a timely and coordinated humanitarian response, which responds to assessed needs, identifies gaps and addresses these in a coherent manner.

Professionalism:

• Sound knowledge of and exposure to a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian issues; knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance; strong analytical capacity, in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian and protection dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response; good knowledge of the UN common system and humanitarian NGOs; ability to identify issues and to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems; strong research skills, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights and protection situation in assigned country/area; 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; excellent drafting skills and strong computer literacy (MS Word and Excel); takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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.

 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:

• Master degree / Bachelor degree 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 two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:                                                                                                                      

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience for MA holder (7 years’ experience for BA holder) in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, project management, budget management, or related area, 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 required. Experience in direct project management, project supervision, monitoring and evaluation and administration is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in both oral and written English and Arabic.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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