Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Internal Displacement Adviser, P4

UN OCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

New York, United States

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs (OUSG), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in New York. OCHA is the 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/Internal Displacement Adviser in New York at UNHQ. The incumbent will report to the Senior Advisor on Internal Displacement in the Office of the Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Internal Displacement Adviser will be responsible for the following duties:

Serves as a senior policy officer; advise on overall policy direction on internal displacement; and, more generally, reviews and provides advice on a diverse range of policy issues related to displacement in situations of conflict and disasters.
Prepares policy position papers for review.
Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management programmes or emergency situations with a specific focus on internal displacement; develops and maintains a “watch list” of countries with potential for humanitarian crisis, including displacement.
Leads and/or participates in large, complex projects, to include assessment of the internal displacement situation in conflict and disasters; prepares situation reports to the international community, apprising of situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries.
Assists in the production of appeals for international assistance; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA.
Assists Member States in capacity-building for handling emergency situations; develops country-specific indicators for countries of concern in collaboration with area experts and ensures the subsequent monitoring of these indicators; recommends actions based on the analysis of pertinent information.
Formulates project proposals and relevant project documents; provides technical support to field work in relation to internal displacement.
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; and ensures the implementation of recommendations emanating from relevant studies.
Assists or leads, as appropriate, in the preparation of OCHA reports, studies, background papers, correspondence, policy guidelines in relation to internal displacement, including to strengthen OCHA's messages and staff knowledge on internal displacement.
Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate complex humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes; helps ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.
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 on internal displacement.
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 internal displacement.
Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on internal displacement-related issues.
May participate in planning and preparation of unit budget and work program.
Provides leadership and work direction to assigned work team, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior officers.
Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of wide range of internal displacement, 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management;
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.

Education

An 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 is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required. At least two (2) years of experience in working on issues related to forced displacement is required. Experience in policy development at global level and providing policy advice and drafting policy documents for senior management is required. At least three (3) years of international field experience working on forced displacement or other relevant area is desirable.

Languages

French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Apply Now

Don't forget to mention IntJobs when applying.

Share this Job