HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER (WORLD HUMANITARIAN SUMMIT SECRETARIAT)

Background

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:  The position of ‘P4, Humanitarian Affairs Officer – World Humanitarian Summit’ will be located in the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) Secretariat of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The Humanitarian Affairs Officer will report to the Chief of the World Humanitarian Summit Secretariat. Background on the WHS:  The landscape of humanitarian action has changed since 1991, when a landmark resolution of the United Nations General Assembly established the international humanitarian response system as it is known today. Growth in the scope and diversity of humanitarian needs, and a more complex operating environment, have created new risks. There are also new opportunities: a wider range of actors and inter-operating networks are involved, and innovations improve service delivery in each response. This is why preparations are under way for the first World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) in 2015. The United Nations Secretary-General has requested that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) organize the summit, to help a changing humanitarian community work together better to serve people in need. It is a unique opportunity to take stock and adapt. The summit will be the highlight in a process of change that begins now, but lasts well beyond the event itself. It will set the agenda for work beyond 2015 to make humanitarian action more inclusive, global and effective – and overall, fit for the future. The Summit will focus on a few core themes to set the agenda. Four broad categories have emerged from recent policy discussions. These are:  1) Aid effectiveness; 2) How to better serve people in conflict; 3) Reducing vulnerability and managing risk; and 4) Innovation. For more information on the background to the Summit (Location, Timing, Themes, Consultation Process etc.), please visit: www.worldhumanitariansummit.org. Please find also the document WHS at a Glance attached to the Terms of Reference as an integral part of them.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities:  Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:   Supports the organization of the Summit preparatory conferences, including identifying conference hosts, preparing agendas, identifying participants and supervising the administrative tasks related to these conferences;    Supports the development and implementation of an advocacy and communications strategy for the WHS, in close collaboration with the Communications and Service Branch. This will also include managing the Summit web , moderating communities of practice related to the three themes of the Summit and ensuring that the Summit Task Teams provide regular updates to the website; Supports the Chair of the World Humanitarian Summit Secretariat and other senior humanitarian affairs officer, as the primary focal point on the WHS; 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; Supports the Chair of the WHS Steering Group in organizing the WHS Steering Group meetings, preparing background documentation, taking notes and minutes of these meetings; Prepares WHS policy position papers for review; Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.;  Ensures appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UN system, including on early warning and contingency planning, etc.; Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on the WHS; May participate in planning and preparation of WHS Secretariat budget and work program. Provides leadership and work direction to assigned work team, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior officers; Performs other duties as required. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Staff at all levels within OCHA both in New York and Geneva; Humanitarian Coordinators and their staff in the field, as well as Programme Managers, Regional Commissions UN Resident Coordinators in disaster-prone developing countries; Representatives of other UN humanitarian agencies and other member organizations in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee; UN Mission and Member State personnel with responsibility for humanitarian issues and non-governmental organization representatives; Delegations, government officials and partners in universities and research institutes, etc. Results Expected:  Plays a lead role in identifying significant WHS related issues and problems to be addressed. Develops well-reasoned, innovative suggestions and approaches to deal with complex policy issues related to the WHS. Effectively leads and manages major projects and work teams and delivers in a timely manner outputs, in accordance with overall objectives and policies related to the WHS. Serves as an effective spokesperson internally and externally and forms strong partnerships with relevant parties to help meet organization’s objectives with respect to overall objective to provide an inclusive, consultative agenda setting process leading up to the World Humanitarian Summit that will contribute to create a more inclusive, effective and interoperable humanitarian system.

Competencies

Core Competencies: Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity; Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment; Self-development, initiative-taking; Acting as a team player and facilitating work; Managing conflict; Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others; Informed and transparent decision making.  Functional Competencies: Professionalism:  Knowledge of wide range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response; Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems;  Knowledge of region or country of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement; Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system; Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations. Ability to relate humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, economic, social and human rights programmes in affected country/region; 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’ 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. 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. Accountability:  Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments;  Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;  Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;  Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments;  Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Creativity:  Actively seeks to improve programmes or services;  Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs;  Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas;  Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas;  Thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. 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. Technological Awareness:  Keeps abreast of available technology;  Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, communications or a related field; A first-level university degree in combination with 9 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience:  A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area.  Language:  Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required;  Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.         Other:   Previous experiences in organizing conferences and supporting the management of large stakeholder working groups would be an advantage.

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