This position is open to South Sudan Nationals Only

BACKGROUND

OCHA is recruiting staff necessary to run the Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU), which acts as the managing agent of the Country-Based Pooled Fund in South Sudan. 

The Program Officer will be based in Bentiu and Malakal , where s/he will be a member of the Humanitarian Financing Unit with the role of supporting humanitarian partners (UN agencies, international and national NGOs, and other stakeholders) working with the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SSHF). Under the direct supervision of the Head of Unit, with overall direction of the Head of OCHA, and working as an integral part of the organization’s team, the incumbent will ensure maximum professionalism and add capacity in supporting the implementation ofthe  OCHA South Sudan work plan.

Key Duties and Accountabilities:

Under the supervision of the Head of the Humanitarian Financing Unit, the National Humanitarian Affairs Officer will:

• Support the Head of the Humanitarian Financing Unit in the programmatic management of the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund;
• Provide substantial assistance in the management of grants of implementing partners of the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund, including the allocation process, monitoring, reporting, and project revisions.
• Attend cluster and other humanitarian coordination forums as required to support awareness-raising and training on SSHF goals and objectives, grant management and eligibility procedures, monitoring and reporting, and the grants management system.
• Support the HFU in reviewing and revising project proposals by consulting with cluster leads and other technical partners; advise NGOs on recommended revisions and assist partners in drafting revisions when necessary.
• Conduct and participate in regular field visits to project sites to monitor the implementation of SSHF-funded projects, ensuring alignment with project proposals and grant agreements.
• Participate in the review of documents submitted during the eligibility process, draft reports on partner capacity, follow up with partners for additional information, and respond to queries as required.
• Support the collection of information and preparation of SSHF information products, including dashboards, newsletters, and interim and annual reports, through partner engagement and data analysis.
• Contribute to lessons learned exercises, audits, and evaluations

Competencies

Professionalism:   Knowledge of different aspects of humanitarian response, public information, and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes, and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design, and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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 the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork: Collaborate with colleagues to achieve the objectives of the Organization; solicit contributions, appreciate the true value of everyone’s ideas and skills; be willing to learn from others; ability to put the interest of the team before personal gain; ability to accept and comply with the final decisions of the group, even if they do not fit perfectly with one's own position; ability to share the team's successes and take responsibility for its failures.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates an 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 

• Applicants holding a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have prior professional work experience.
• First degree in Political or Social Sciences, Law, International Studies, Public Administration, Project Management, or another relevant field is required
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in combination with an undergraduate degree in one of the specified disciplines will be given due consideration in lieu of a master’s degree

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Experience in the programmatic management of humanitarian grants, including allocation processes, proposal review, project revisions, monitoring, and reporting, is required. 
• Experience conducting field visits to monitor humanitarian project implementation against proposals and grant agreements is required. 
• Experience supporting partner eligibility processes, including reviewing documentation and assessing partner capacity, is desirable.
• Experience in data collection, compilation, analysis, and reporting for humanitarian programmes, including preparation of information products (dashboards, newsletters, interim/annual reports), is desirable. 
• Excellent command of Office suite applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. 
• Knowledge of the Arabic language and other local languages is desirable.

Note: This position will require extensive travel within South Sudan

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNOCHA 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. 

UNOCHA 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

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

Probation

For all new UNOCHA fixed-term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNOCHA under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNOCHA 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 UNOCHA at the same grade level and with a similar job description, experience, and educational requirements.

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