Background
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Yemen facilitates humanitarian action across the county. OCHA mobilizes and coordinates principled humanitarian response in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies, advocates the rights of people in need, supports emergency preparedness and response, and facilitates sustainable solutions for vulnerable people adversely affected by conflict and natural disaster. OCHA supports the work of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), the Inter-Cluster Coordination Mechanism (ICCM) national authorities and other humanitarian partners including NGOs in Yemen. The operation of OCHA in Yemen consists of four offices located in Sanaa, the capital city, and three sub offices in Sa’adah and Haradh (northern Yemen) and Aden in the south where OCHA closely collaborates with local authorities. The central humanitarian planning area is coordinated from the office in Sanaa. This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sana’a where s/he will be a member of the Coordination Unit. The national Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to the Head of the Coordination Unit.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Head of Coordination Unit, the National Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:- Monitor, analyze and report on humanitarian developments, in support to the clusters and coordination unit;
- Provide substantial assistance in the implementation of inclusive humanitarian coordination including liaison with relevant UN operational agencies, NGOs, and local authorities;
- Support implementation and monitoring of Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan;
- Partner with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes, and help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned and policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations;
- Support the collection of information to improve information products such as who does what where database and inter-agency reports; assist with meetings minute taking and data entry into relevant databases as appropriate;
- Liaise with humanitarian partners at national and sub-national level to triangulate humanitarian information and effectively identify and map humanitarian needs and response activities;
- Prepare or contribute to the preparation of various written reports including access monitoring reports, response monitoring and gap analysis;
- Review and provide advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance;
- Organize and participate in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters;
- Track information required for early warning of potential humanitarian emergencies;
- Promote appropriate preparedness measures in Yemen and facilitate inter-agency contingency planning;
- Prepare briefing materials and presentations providing up-to-date analysis on trends and developments on the humanitarian situation in the country or in specific governorates;
- Provide assistance for responding to emergencies, such as through drafting of situation reports supporting preparation of Flash Updates;
- Provide surge capacity to facilitate emergency response coordination in the country as required;
- As appropriate, help organize/participate in inter-agency assessment missions to build consensus on humanitarian needs and priorities;
- Support capacity building activities for national NGOs;
- Perform other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism:- Proven analytical skills: ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, and recommend appropriate solution;
- Ability to relate humanitarian issues and perspectives, including gender, political, economic, social and human rights developments in Yemen;
- Strong negotiation skills: ability to lead and gain assistance of others in a team endeavour, and to articulate coherent arguments to reach agreement;
- Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. armed conflict, civil strife, natural disasters, human suffering and long work hours when situation demands);
- Understanding of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs and sound knowledge of the institutions and mandates of the UN system;
- Experience of working in international organizations is an advantage, including the field of humanitarian action and protection of civilians in armed conflict. Good drafting, and presentation and report writing skills are required.
- Proven ability to plan and organize, establish priorities, manage and monitor work plans, coordinate competing demands, and work to tight deadline.
- Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations, articulating options concisely, making and defending recommendations.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in an international multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:- Master’s Degree preferably in Political or Social Science, Law, International studies or other relevant science is required;
- A Bachelor degree in combination with 2 additional years of relevant and qualifying experience in the field of humanitarian affairs may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- 2 years of relevant progressively professional responsible experience in humanitarian affairs,emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management or other related areas, preferably with a United Nations agency or an Non-Governmental Organization will be given a priority;
- Excellent command of Office suite applications (Word, Excel, , PowerPoint);
- Familiarity and good knowledge of social, political and economic conditions in the region;
- Proven abilities in data collection, compilation, analysis and reporting with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and effective oral communication;
- Proven skills in facilitating meetings and reporting.
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required (Writing skills will be tested).
This position may involve extensive traveling within Yemen.