Org. Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), 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. This position-specific job opening is being advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Access/Civil Military Coordination located in the Regional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa (ROSEA), Nairobi, Kenya. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Access/Civil-Military Coordination reports to the Head of Access, Civil-Military Coordination and Analysis (ACA) Unit. This position will require regular surge deployments within and potentially outside the region. Candidates are expected to be available and willing to surge for up to three months at a time.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Access/Civil-Military Coordination will be responsible for the following duties: Humanitarian Affairs • Monitors, analyzes and reports on conflict and humanitarian developments, disaster relief or emergency situations in the region, particularly related to Access and Civil-Military coordination. • Organizes and prepares, if requested, papers on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues, Organizes follow-up work, including interagency meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues, particularly related to access and Civil-Military coordination. • Drafts and prepares regular analysis, maps and situation papers/reports highlighting relevant operational factors affecting the humanitarian situation and response efforts, particularly related to access and Civil-Military coordination. • Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc., highlighting relevant policy and operational factors affecting access, Civil-Military coordination, the humanitarian situation and response efforts. • Ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues, particularly related to access and Civil-Military coordination, at regional and country level. • Reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to humanitarian access, safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance, at regional and country level. • Partners with other humanitarian agencies 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, particularly related to access and Civil-Military coordination. • Provides substantial support to sector / cluster working groups and facilitates exchange on cross-cutting issues, including gender, protection, accountability to affected people and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. • Establishes and maintains contacts with relevant authorities, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, Defence attachés etc. in support of humanitarian access and Civil-Military coordination at regional and country level. • Supports advocacy initiatives on issues impacting humanitarian needs and response efforts through the collection of information, liaison with humanitarian partners, government officials, the media, etc. in support of humanitarian access and Civil-Military coordination. • Undertakes and provides support to technical assistance and other field missions, e.g. leads inter-agency coordinated needs assessment missions and participates in field trips to review the humanitarian situation, response and coordination, etc. especially in support of humanitarian access and Civil-Military coordination. • Organizes and participates in working groups, humanitarian coordination, preparation of relevant agendas, background documentation and minutes meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters, especially in support of humanitarian access and Civil-Military coordination. • Deploys on humanitarian surge and support missions in Southern and Eastern Africa as requested, including to facilitate: humanitarian access negotiations; Civil-Military Coordination, humanitarian access working groups, CMCoord Cells, analysis briefings and visits. Humanitarian Access: • Supports in developing and implementing access strategies for contexts in the region, including actor mapping, context analysis and analysis of access dynamics in the region. • Supports negotiations with relevant stakeholders to establish/maintain humanitarian access (both cross-line and cross-border) and resolve any arising constraints, while working to promote a principled, coordinated approach to access and share best practice with partners to ensure effective humanitarian access strategies across the region and in priority countries. • Supports the maintenance of up-to-date access and conflict data, including access tracking, reporting and analysis, providing timely analysis and updates to various regional and in country coordination forums and key stakeholders. • Facilitate Access working groups as needed. Civil-Military Coordination: • Establishes the necessary links with military officers in relevant military forces, and personnel in UN agencies and NGOs, to undertake Civil-Military coordination in the region and in priority countries, including with training institutes in the region. • Serves as focal point for policy related to civil-military coordination in close consultation with the Head of ACA Unit. • Leads, if applicable, the development of country-specific guidelines on civil-military relations, based on the current “Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets in Disaster Relief” and “Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets to Support UN Humanitarian Activities in Complex Emergencies”, as well as the “IASC Reference Paper on Civil-Military Relationship in Complex Emergencies”, the IASC Discussion Paper and Non-Binding Guidelines on the “Use of Military or Armed Escorts for Humanitarian Convoys”, applicable Security Council resolutions and other relevant instruments. • Ensures that the country-specific guidelines, and the generic guidelines mentioned above are properly disseminated and understood by both the humanitarian actors and the military forces present, as well as by local actors, as appropriate. Promote and ensure adherence to the above Guidelines within the entire humanitarian community and advise on potential consequences if these principles are compromised. • Organises, with relevant and balanced Humanitarian and Military representation, Workshops on Civil-Military relations, by advocating adherence to applicable guidelines and principles and focusing on positive examples, contribute to a positive working relationship between relevant international military and IASC members. • Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response. Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned country/area. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff. 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 & 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
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required. Experience in civil-military coordination with the UN, or experience in the military forces and peacekeeping dealing with major humanitarian operations, is required. Humanitarian experience in the field with at least three (3) years of relevant experience living and working in countries (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable. Experience in the UN Common System or other international organization is desirable. Experience in Southern and/or Eastern Africa region is desirable. Experience in undertaking humanitarian access negotiations is desirable.
Languages
French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
Assessment
The evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is funded for a finite period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and 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. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.
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