Jobs - 49161- National Field Officer (Open to South Sudan Nation

National Field Officer (Open to South Sudan Nationals Only)

Location :

Rumbek, SOUTH SUDAN

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

05-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-A

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year renewable

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 Months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Organizational Context

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub-Office and under the overall guidance of the Head of Field Coordination, the National Field Officer will be responsible for supporting and strengthening the capacities of the Government of South Sudan and humanitarian agencies to prepare for mitigate and respond to humanitarian emergencies in South Sudan. In particular, the national Field Officer will work with Head of the Sub Office to monitor and document ongoing and developing humanitarian crises, population movements, and humanitarian space and access within an assigned geographical area. S/he will support the coordination and implementation of inter-agency needs assessment missions, humanitarian response monitoring missions and other field work, and will strengthen humanitarian coordination mechanisms in the field.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific Tasks:

Support the Head of Sub Office in serving as the key focal point within the humanitarian system for NGOs, UN agencies and Government partners within the assigned geographical area of responsibility. Be informed and able to represent the interests of humanitarian actors within a given state or sector and advise on humanitarian priorities and principles;
Build collaborative and effective relationships with all actors, both humanitarian and non-humanitarian, to ensure that all available resources and actors are ready to support humanitarian operations when necessary;
Organize, participate, and lead interagency needs assessments. Ensure key findings, recommendations and final assessment reports are widely disseminated and debated in the relevant forums. Ensure the follow up to the Plan of Action agreed upon on the basis of the assessed needs;
Together with the Head of Sub Office, ensure implementation of inclusive, field-level inter-agency humanitarian coordination mechanisms, including supporting the Head of Sub Office in conducting inter-sectoral coordination at the state level; support a particular sector(s) as requested, including by attending sector meetings, and help to ensure sector is meeting the minimum deliverables, providing support where necessary;
Monitor and track all new humanitarian incidents. Document all developments and share through verbal or written reports/briefings with field-level implementing partners and the OCHA Head of Field Coordination in Juba;
Support the collection of field information to improve coordination activities and effectively map areas of humanitarian needs and response activities;
Contribute to the development of reporting and public information products through preparation of weekly internal field reports.
Support the OCHA office by participating in, as needed, the preparation and hosting of high-level field visits and missions and assessments, lessons learned and evaluations;
Work in close collaboration with Government authorities and seek opportunities to increase the humanitarian capacity of local authorities;
Ensure the use of gender-sensitive needs assessment, needs analysis and response strategy development. Promote the use of the interagency agreed guidelines, sphere standards, criteria of intervention, and checklists agreed at inter sector level;
Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Sub Office of the Head of Field Coordination.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Sound knowledge of and exposure to the field of humanitarian assistance and ability to identify humanitarian-related issues and to use knowledge/judgement in resolving potential problems, including ability to evaluate information from a variety of sources to assess the impact of the humanitarian situation in assigned field duty station/area/region/area;
Ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with wide range of actors, including Government, UN, and NGOs;
Proven ability to manage complex information;
Ability to identify priority activities and adjust them as required;
Ability to identify the key issues in a complex situation, and come to the heart of the problem quickly;
Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication:

Ability to speak and write clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
Ask questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;

Planning and organizing:

Ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with wide range of actors, including Government, UN, and NGOs. Manage complex information;
Ability to identify priority activities and adjust them as required;
Ability to identify the key issues in a complex situation, and come to the heart of the problem quickly.

Team work:

Ability to sorts collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; support and act 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;
Initiative, independence and sound judgment, maturity and team spirit, problem solving and action oriented

Client orientation:

Should be able to establish and maintain 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 and meet timeline.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree, Masters in Social sciences.

Experience:

At least 6 years’ experience in a similar position with an international organization engaged in relief and development work in South Sudan;
Experience in conducting humanitarian assessments and in implementing humanitarian programs;
Experience with humanitarian coordination, preferably in leadership roles;
Experience working with Government of South Sudan.

Language:

Fluency in English and the national language of the duty station.