Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Access/Civil-Military Coordination), P3 at United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Job Description

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This section provides an overview of OCHAs mandate, its leadership and how it is funded. It also includes a detailed section on OCHAs flagship and thematic publications, and on the Agenda for Humanity – a plan put forward by the UN Secretary-General calling on global leaders to stand up for our common humanity and reduce humanitarian suffering.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Access/Civil-Military Coordination) will be responsible for the following duties:

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.

Humanitarian 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 EPR. 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.

Humanitarian Affairs

Deploys on humanitarian surge and support missions in Southern and Eastern Africa as requested, including to facilitate: humanitarian access negotiations; Civil-Military Coordination, humanitarian operational coordination (e.g. chairing inter-cluster meetings); humanitarian financing proposals (e.g. CERF applications); implementation of preparedness actions (e.g. contingency plans); development of humanitarian needs overviews and appeals; and humanitarian needs assessments. Supports humanitarian coordination in countries in the region as needed, including preparation of relevant agendas, background documentation and minutes. Travels, as required, inside Mozambique to provide support to humanitarian operations. Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management 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, particularly related to access and Civil-Military coordination. 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 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. Assists in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of humanitarian appeals for countries in the region, including Humanitarian Needs Overviews (HNO) and Humanitarian Response Plans (HRP). 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, 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, 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. Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

Competencies

Professionalism:

Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian issues, including with respect to humanitarian principles, humanitarian access, Civil-Military coordination and humanitarian coordination. Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response. Knowledge of humanitarian needs assessments tools and processes. Capacity to lead inter-agency humanitarian field missions in difficult locations. Ability to build strong networks with humanitarian partners. Knowledge of humanitarian delivery considerations, including ensuring accountability to affected people and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. 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 is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, , or other related area, of which at least three years of relevant experience living and working in countries (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations is required. At least two years in the past five years of field experience (actual setting where a mission or project is being implemented) in aid operations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is required. Experience in the regional context (especially Horn of Africa) is desirable. Experience in undertaking access negotiations is desirable. Experience in civil-military coordination with the UN, or experience in the military forces dealing with major humanitarian operations, 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 another UN official language is an advantage.