Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer

Organizational Context

This position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA 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 efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and 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.

The positions of Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer is based in Kyiv (the duty station may be subject to change, as the operational situation in the country evolves), Ukraine. Under the overall supervision of the Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Deputy Head of Office, OCHA Ukraine, the incumbents report to the HAO/Head of Sub-Office, or HAO/Head of Unit.

Position Purpose:

The Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for supporting the overall humanitarian coordination, emergency preparedness and response in the various duty stations through the national Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG).

The incumbent is expected to have comprehensive knowledge of OCHA Ukraine operations, humanitarian partners, operations of the government and NGOs. As such the Associate HAO provides the elements of institutional memory and local networking essential to the credibility and authority of the statements and documents provided by OCHA and the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator. He/she works with little supervision in the field and is expected to prepare concise reports, analysis and is an integral part of the OCHA Team.

Moreover, he/she will ensure the regular monitoring and analysis of the humanitarian situation in Area of Responsibility (AoR), drafting different kind of documents and information products, to support reporting, as well as high-level advocacy.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Implementation of programme and strategies.
• Participates in effective management of the OCHA Country Office.
• Support to humanitarian coordination and information management.
• Top quality advisory services to the partners and facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Ensures implementation of programme and strategies:

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, particularly in the provinces where a deteriorating humanitarian situation is reported due to insecurity/violence, climatic shocks, etc.
• Supports the development and implementation of a strategic approach to managinginformation around the humanitarian programme cycle (HPC), including supporting common information processes such as preparedness, needs assessment, strategic planning, resource mobilization, implementation, and monitoring.

Participates in effective management of the OCHA Country Office:

• Provides secretariat support to the national Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and Inter-Agency Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG), including drafting preparing agendas and invitations, drafting of preparatory documents and presentation, drafting of minutes and follow-up on agreed action points, in close consultation with the supervisor.
• Supports the supervisor in strategic and operational coordination of the Humanitarian Response Plan for Ukraine through reporting, analysis, monitoring and evaluation, including through soliciting and consolidating necessary inputs from relevant partners and stakeholders, and preparing information products on needs, response, and gaps.
• Collects and maintains primary data and information on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, that are required internally and externally to support decision-making.
• Supports strategic and operational decision-making by processing and analyzing data and information and presenting it in user-friendly formats (e.g., situation reports, maps, etc.).

Provides effective humanitarian coordination:

• In collaboration with humanitarian partners, ensures the collection and analysis of best practices and lessons learned related to the latest humanitarian responses in the country (i.e., Humanitarian Response Plan for Ukraine).
• Supports the implementation of the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Evaluation in-country recommendations, in close collaboration with AHCT/ICCG partners, national and provincial authorities, stakeholders, CSOs, etc.
• Designs, develops and manages databases, spreadsheets, and other data tools; understands, document, and ensures the quality of high-value humanitarian data for accuracy, consistency and comparability; consolidates operational information on a regular schedule to support analysis.
• Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports and information management products, including documents and communications on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, situation reports, talking points, 5W updates, as well as donor reports, supporting reporting as well as corporate outreach and advocacy.
• Actively liaises with relevant national and provincial authorities (Governments of Ukraine, INGD, INAM, etc.), OCHA Ukraine - Sub-offices, and humanitarian partners to triangulate humanitarian information and effectively identify and map humanitarian needs and response activities in assigned areas.

Participates in effective information management:

• Tracks information required for early warning of potential humanitarian emergencies in the country and as appropriate promote preparedness measures.
• Prepares briefing materials and presentations providing up-to-date analysis on trends and developments on the humanitarian situation in assigned areas.

Provides top quality advisory services to the partners and facilitation of knowledge building and management:

• Maintains a network of contacts among key partners and stakeholders, including national and international NGOs, Red Cross Movement, national and provincial authorities, and the humanitarian community.
• Provides frontline surge in response to new emergencies, the escalation of existing emergencies and/or to fill critical gaps.

Performs other duties as required.

Competencies and Critical Success Factors 

Functional Competencies: 

Professionalism 

• Shows pride in work and in achievements 
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results 
• Motivated by professional rather than personal concerns
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges 
• Remains calm in stressful situations

Accountability

• Takes ownership for 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.

Teamwork

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; 
• Is willing to learn from others;
• Places team agenda before personal agenda; 
• Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; 
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Client Orientation

• Research potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct, and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Establishes, builds, and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients
• Actively supports the interests of the client by making choices and setting priorities to meet their needs
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly

Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or other related fields. Bachelor`s degree with 2 additional years of relevant experience can be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:                                                                                  

• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, or other related area is required.
• Experience in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable.
• Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages:    Fluency in English and Ukrainian (written and spoken) is required. Fluency in Russian is desirable.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNOCHA rosters

Note: 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 similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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