Humanitarian Affairs Officer (for FILIPINO NATIONALS only)

This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), which is part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response’s efforts. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national, international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort.

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Head of the HAT, the incumbent will work in close collaboration with provincial and regional governments, the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator’s Office and relief/recovery partners to support the formulation of strategies of engagement aligned with the mandate of OCHA at both technical and operational levels in Mindanao.

• Ensures effective Networking Monitoring and Analysis
• Leads in Coordination
• Manages effective Advocacy
• Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Ensures effective Networking Monitoring and Analysis focusing on achievement of the following results:

   • Regular monitoring and analysis of humanitarian developments to support strategic decision-making and the preparation of analytical reports highlighting social, political, humanitarian and other relevant factors affecting the overall humanitarian situation;
   • Effective monitoring of humanitarian risks to ensure that contingency plans are consistent and well-coordinated including availability of resources; supporting the inter-agency contingency planning; and
   • Strengthen emergency preparedness measures including drafting inter-agency contingency plans, developing and leading preparedness exercises, monitoring natural disaster trends, and provide preparedness advisory services to local Government and partners.

2. Leads in Coordination in the location focusing on achievement of the following results:

   • Substantial assistance in the implementation of inclusive, field-level coordination mechanisms, including liaison with relevant UN operational agencies, NGOs, and local authorities;
   • Provide secretariat and coordination support to the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator/Mindanao Humanitarian Team, and provide analytic and other recommendatory inputs to humanitarian strategies;
   • Liaise with humanitarian, development and peacebuilding partners on the collection of information to effectively map areas of humanitarian needs and activities in support of response and recovery coordination efforts; and track information required for early warning of potential conflict and conflict-related vulnerability;
   • Participates in technical assistance, disaster assessment or other missions e.g. participates in field trips to undertake in-depth reviews of specific country coordination mechanisms;
   • Reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters; and
   • Acts as a the Cotabato inter-cluster coordinator of the sub-national cluster coordinators.

3. Manages effective Advocacy focusing on achievement of the following results:

   • Initiate and support advocacy on issues impacting humanitarian needs and response efforts in Mindanao through the collection of information, liaison with humanitarian partners, government officials, and media, development of appropriate strategies, etc.;
   • Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues; and
   • Performs other duties as required.

4. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in focusing on achievement of the following results:

   • Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices on humanitarian relevance; and
   • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice in humanitarian.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Innovation. Ability to make new and useful ideas work. Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully.

Leadership. Ability to persuade others to follow. Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others.

People Management. Ability to improve performance and satisfaction. Level 4: Models independent thinking and action.

Communication. Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform. Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis.

Delivery. Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement. Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services.

TECHNICAL / FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

Quality Assurance. Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to ensure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled. Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Legal Advisory. Ability to advise on legal matters including UNDP's legal status, policy development, corporate and operational matters, status and conduct. Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Knowledge Facilitation. Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share. Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Communication. Ability to effectively communicate intensions and requirements to internal and external stakeholders. Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

• Master’s Degree in political science, social sciences, International relations, development studies or related field is required. OR
• A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• PRINCE2 certification an added advantage.

• A minimum of 2 years’ progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency, relief management, rehabilitation, development other related area is required.
• Experience in humanitarian affairs/ International development.
• Relevant experience in working with an UN agency or other humanitarian agency is desirable.
• Experience in the area of emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management humanitarian/development environment, field coordination is an asset. 
• Knowledge of and prior work experience in Mindanao is also an asset.

• Proficiency in English.
• Working knowledge of other UN language desirable .

• This position may involve extensive traveling within Mindanao and elsewhere in the Philippines, as well as providing international surge support to regional countries. 
• Non-Smoking environment.

General Information

UNDP is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staffs and encourages applications from qualified candidates and persons with disabilities.

UNDP is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNDP staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNDP jobs.

UNDP has zero tolerance of sexual abuse, abuse of authority and exploitation.

 Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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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