Switzerland: Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Civil-Military Coordination) P-3

Organization: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 24 Sep 2014

ORG. SETTING AND REPORTING:

The Humanitarian Affairs Officer P3 reports directly to the Head of the Policy and Publications Unit, located under the Chief of the Civil-Military Coordination Section (CMCS), within the Emergency Services Branch (ESB), Geneva, Switzerland.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Humanitarian Affairs Officer is responsible for the day to day support on civil-military coordination matters to OCHA’s regional and country offices. Specific responsibilities are:

• monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations, with an emphasis on humanitarian civil-military coordination

• cooperates with other units in OCHA to ensure a predictable and timely continued staffing of UN-CMCoord related posts in the field

• participates in projects, to include disaster assessment or other missions; assists in the coordination of international humanitarian/emergency assistance, including military and civil defence assets (MCDA), for complex emergency/disaster situations and in ensuring the necessary support; drafts situation reports to the international community, apprising of situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries

• partners with humanitarian agencies and other international and regional actors to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes and help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations

• acts as a UN-CMCoord expert and focal point within the OCHA operational and emergency task force structures to provide expert advice, ensure visibility and consideration of CMCoord related issues during the preparation for and response to emergencies

• undertakes and provides support to technical assistance and other field missions, e.g. participates in field trips to undertake in-depth reviews of specific country coordination mechanisms and if required, deploys on surge support missions

• prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc.

• keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc., ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues

• reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance

• organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters

• is available for surge deployments

• provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff

• performs other duties as required

COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and humanitarian civil-military coordination, with approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN or broader international response, particularly regarding UN-CMCoord and the use of the Military and Civil Defense Assets (MCDA). Ability to work and remain calm under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (natural disasters and complex emergencies). Shows pride in work, is conscientious and efficient, demonstrates professional competence, commitment and mastery of subject matter, observing deadlines and achieving results. 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& 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.

CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, humanitarian civil-military coordination is required. Understanding of OCHA’s mandate and humanitarian civil-military policies of UN agencies is a strong asset.

Education:Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, political science, law, management, or similar specific field of study. A first-level university degree, or military academy degree with advanced training in relevant area, in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Languages:English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; working knowledge of French is desirable.

How to apply:

The position is intended to fill functions of short-term duration This temporary position is for an initial period of four (4) months. All posts are subject to availability of funds.

Please state your full name and the temporary job opening notice number OCHA.G.120.2014 as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every temporary job opening announcement. Documents should be saved as pdf file, with the title formatted as follows: FAMILY NAMEgiven name Doc-t type.pdf. For example: GREY_Joe _PHP.pdf.

All applicants are requested to submit a completed personal history profile (PHP) to cmcs@dialoguing.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org . Please indicate the temporary job opening number OCHA.G.120.2014 in the Subject of your e-mail.

Note that applications to United Nations Secretariat positions can be generated in the new Inspira recruitment system. We encourage you to create an electronic personal history profile and to apply to these and other positions for which you are interested and qualified at http://inspira.un.org

Note that applicants’ eligibility cannot be fully assessed if the personal history profile is not properly completed. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Potential candidates under serious consideration will be contacted by hiring manager directly. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her; in this context, all staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers In accordance with established rules and procedures.

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