ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Central African Republic, Bangui. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to the Head of Office.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Pooled Fund Manager, will be responsible for the following duties
I. Fund Management and Coordination:
• Under the supervision of the HoO, advise the HC on the management of the Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF);
• Manage and oversee fund allocation processes ensuring necessary coordination with relevant counterparts in line with the Terms of Reference and/or allocation guidelines (i.e. Review and/or Advisory Boards, cluster or sector leads; humanitarian organizations; and OCHA);
• Manage the overall administration of the Fund and liaise as necessary with relevant OCHA HQ sections (i.e. OCHA Coordination and Response Division (CRD), OCHA Funding Coordination Section (FCS), OCHA Administrative Services Branch (ASB) or Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Office);
• Supervise the fund management team;
• Monitor the implementation of Fund strategies as endorsed by the HC, in consultation with OCHA HoO, promoting coherence between humanitarian needs and response;
• Lead in policy development, including the review and analysis of humanitarian issues at the country level, ensuring proper coordination with FCS;
• Advise the HC and the HoO on risk management and risk mitigation;
• Ensure implementation and compliance with policies and standard guidelines in accordance with HC decisions and HQ guidance;
• Oversee recipient organizations’ compliance with financial rules applicable to the Fund;
• Ensure proper communication and support during the allocation process to all stakeholders;
• Support recipient organisations throughout project life-cycle promoting compliance with applicable rules;
• Liaise with contributing donors in and outside the country as necessary; Ensure coordination and information exchange with other donors aiming to promote coordinated and complementary use of funds (including CERF when appropriate);
• Represent the Fund management unit before stakeholders (NGO, UN Agencies, donors) and external actors as required;
• Undertake periodic field visits to promote the knowledge and appropriate use of the Fund in line with its Terms of Reference; field visits should focus on key actors (i.e. OCHA field colleagues, recipient organisations, local governments, communities).
II. Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation:
• Ensure compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements in place for the Fund;
• Oversee and ensure timely project reporting cycle, including the annual report of the Fund;
• Systematically provide information on project status to the HC, the HoO, donors and relevant governing bodies of the Fund;
• Support the preparation of evaluations, reviews and studies as requested by the HC and governing bodies ensuring due consultation with relevant HQ sections (FCS, EGS).
III. Analysis, communications and public information:
• Conduct and update periodic analyses of humanitarian financing information, funding trends and requirements, gathering data from all relevant sources;
• Liaise with OCHA field offices aiming at the largest dissemination of information about the scope, the access and the allocation process of the Fund;
• In collaboration with relevant OCHA, field offices and OCHA HQ sections ensure appropriate dissemination of information about the Fund through different communication products (i.e. bulletins, feature stories, photographs/videos, websites, CHF Annual Report etc.); • Perform other duties as assigned by the OCHA Head of Office.
COMPETENCIES
PROFESSIONALISM: Sound knowledge of and exposure to a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian issues, to include approaches and techniques to address difficult problems; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyse and articulate the humanitarian and protection dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response; ability to identify issues and to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems; ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights and protection 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; take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Proven drafting skills. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining humanitarian assistance. Knowledge of the UN common system and NGOs, and commonly used computer applications including MS Word and Excel. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
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.
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.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, project management, budget management, or related area is required. Experience in humanitarian emergencies in the field is required. Direct project management or project supervision experience is required. Previous work experience in areas of project management, monitoring and evaluation, and administration is required. Experience in the design of policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance is desirable. Experience with the UN common system is desirable.
Education:Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Languages:French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language 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 six (6) months with a possibility of extension. All posts are subject to availability of funds.
Please state your full name and the temporary job opening notice number OCHA/G/156/2014 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: Doc-t type _Given Name FAMILY NAME.pdf. For example: PHP_Joe GREY.pdf.
All applicants are requested to submit a completed personal history profile (PHP) to Myrtia Murgiamurgia@un.org and ochacrdstaffing@un.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org .Please indicate the temporary job opening number OCHA/G/156/2014 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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