Background

The position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Special Assistant) P3, will be located in the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) secretariat of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Special Assistant) will report to the Chief of the WHS secretariat.

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:

• Aid effectiveness,;
• How to better serve people in conflict;
• 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

• Assists the Chief of World Humanitarian Summit secretariat (WHSs) on various activities related to the WHS secretariat;
• Day-to-day management of the Office of the Chief, WHSs, including oversight of correspondence flow, daily scheduling drafting of correspondence and ensuring the timeless and quality of documents drafted by the WHS secretariat team;
• Manages the schedule of the Chief, WHSs;
• Prepares and reviews various written outputs, such as draft correspondence, official memoranda, background papers, mission reports, talking points, analysis and notes to the Senior Management Team as requested by the Chief, WHSs;
• Supports the Chief WHSs to establish and maintain contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.;
• Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc.;
• Supports the Chief, WHSs on specific topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of latest developments, ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues;
• Ensures quality control with material being developed and submitted to senior management or for public dissemination;
• Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other OCHA branches and partners on WHS related issues;
• Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff;
• Performs other duties as required.

• Staff at all levels within OCHA both in New York and Geneva.
• Humanitarian Coordinators and their staff in the field;
• Representatives of other UN humanitarian agencies and other member organizations in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee;
• UN Resident Coordinators in disaster-prone developing countries;
• UN Mission and Member State personnel with responsibility for humanitarian issues, and non-governmental organization representatives and the academic community.

• Provides sound analytical inputs and advice on how to guarantee a successful, inclusive agenda setting process leading up to the World Humanitarian Summit that will contribute to more create a more inclusive, effective and interoperable humanitarian system;
• Takes action to identify WHS-related issues/problems and develops creative approaches to problem resolution;
• Provides timely delivery of assigned outputs;
• Develops partnerships and interacts effectively with colleagues internally and externally.

Competencies

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field;
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience of 7 years may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area;
• Expertise in conference management and organization with a wide array of different humanitarian and development stakeholders (NGOs, Member States, Affected Population) will be an asset. 

• Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required;
  
• Knowledge of the other is desirable;
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.