Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Special Assistant, P3 Job ID: 98575

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Humanitarian Partnerships with the Middle East and Central Asia, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Geneva.

Responsibilities

Within the context of the mandate entrusted to the ASG, the responsibilities of the Humanitarian Affairs Officer, herewith referred to as the Special Assistant, are as follows:

1. Keeps abreast of the issues in need of the ASG's attention and ensures smooth flow of relevant information; liaises with the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (OUSG) in New York and disseminates information to Branches/Units and external contacts; oversees the day-to-day management of the Office of the ASG through interaction with Office staff and ensures its ready response capacity to requirements of the ASG;
2. Requests, collates and consolidates inputs on partnerships with the Middle-East and Central Asia (MECA) for reports and briefing notes for the USG and SG; analyses requests for information/action submitted through the office of the ASG, drafts responses and/or ensures that the requests are addressed; provides editorial and substantive inputs necessary in correspondence for the signature of the ASG;
3. Prepares for and attends ASG's bilateral meetings with Diplomatic Corps, Head of Agencies and Academics, as well as internal, inter-agency, external partners and donor meetings; reports on outcomes and follows up on actions as required, in particular when urgent OASG actions are needed in relation to humanitarian emergencies; coordinates and participates in Senior Staff Meetings, monitors implementation of decisions and attends other meetings as required by the ASG;
4. Ensures the release of public information relating to Humanitarian Assistance issues as required; makes recommendations to the ASG, in consultation with OCHA's and UNOG's information services;
5. Keeps in close contact with partners from the region to ensure that the partners are informed about the humanitarian-related information; organizes meetings, workshops and events with the partners;
6. Serves as focal point for OASG on work and cost planning exercise, drafts inputs for the ASG; also serves as a focal point on other specific topics and issues relevant to OASG as required;
7. Performs other duties as assigned by the ASG.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Professional knowledge of the Middle East or Central Asia; Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others; Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations; 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 AND 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

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political or social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences, law or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with at least two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, administration or other related area in an international organization is required, of which two (2) should preferably be within the UN system, other comparable inter-governmental organisations or public administration. Experience in resource mobilization is required. Experience providing support to senior officials/management is highly desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the 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.
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.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.
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.
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.

Apply now