Job Description

Org. Setting and ReportingThis temporary position is located in the Evaluation and Oversight Unit, reporting directly to the Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Relief Coordinator (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 a framework for each actor to 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 to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies, advocate for the rights of people in need, promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. This temporary job opening is being advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer in New York. The incumbent will report to the Humanitarian Affairs Officer (P4) who reports to the Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator.

ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: \u2022 Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in assigned country/area, including supporting evaluative and monitoring activities of the unit. \u2022 Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organizes follow-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues. \u2022 Supports Head of Unit in their role as a Chair of the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Evaluation Steering Group (IAHE SG) by developing workplans, annual and monthly reports, monitoring and financial updates as well organizing groups\u2019 events and coordinating information flows. \u2022 Participates in large, complex projects, to include disaster assessment or other missions; assists in the coordination of international humanitarian/emergency assistance for complex emergency/disaster situations and in ensuring the necessary support (e.g. staff, funding, specialized equipment, supplies, etc.); drafts situation reports to the international community, apprising of situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries. \u2022 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. \u2022 Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc. \u2022 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. \u2022 Provides technical and management support to OCHA\u2019s internal or inter-agency humanitarian evaluations (IAHEs). \u2022 Prepares various written outputs, e.g., drafts background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. \u2022 Supports the conceptualization, design, implementation and dissemination of OCHA-internal and inter-agency evaluations. \u2022 Serves as the primary focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; 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. \u2022 Reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance. \u2022 Provides substantive support to relevant consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, and consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters. \u2022 Provides day-to-day project coordination and facilitation in support of communication and dissemination of evaluation findings and recommendations. \u2022 Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff. \u2022 Performs other duties as required.

CompetenciesProfessionalism: 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others\u2019 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.

EducationAdvanced university degree (Master\u2019s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific QualificationNot available.

Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required. A minimum of two years of experience within the last five years providing dedicated support to the design, conceptualization and implementation of evaluations and/or monitoring of corporate performance is required. Experience working within the UN common system or a comparable organization is desirable. A minimum of two (2) years in the past five (5) years of international field experience (actual setting where a mission or project is being implemented) in aid operations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable. Experience managing evaluations involving multiple stakeholders and partners is desirable. Experience in formal evaluations of humanitarian programming and/or responses is desirable. Experience in qualitative data analysis and/or statistical tools is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Spanish is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details).

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