Background

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Office, UNOCHA Philippines, the HAA shall provide timely and appropriate assistance to the UNOCHA Philippines and the Government of the Philippines (GoP) in the areas of disaster response.  

Duties and Responsibilities

Coordination

• Assist in providing substantial assistance in the implementation of inclusive, field-level humanitarian coordination mechanisms, including liaison with relevant UN operational agencies, NGOs, and local authorities;
• Assist in providing substantial support to sectoral clusters as required and facilitate exchange on cross cutting issues including emergency preparedness and contingency planning;
• Assist in the coordination mechanisms and lines of action defined in the HCT Flash Appeal;
• Assist in the monitoring of humanitarian risks to ensure that the various contingency plans are consistent and well-coordinated including availability of resources; Assist in developing the inter-agency contingency planning;
• Assist in coordination the interagency rapid needs assessment process including the collation, tabulation, analysis and dissemination of analyzed data from the assessment teams;
• Contribute to the analysis and evaluation of requests for international assistance;
• Assist in facilitation of information sharing within the MHT and HCT, following established mechanisms of alert and information dissemination;
• Assist in the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops, etc. with other agencies and partners to facilitate exchanges of professional expertise and views on specific;
• humanitarian-related subjects/issues; serves as reporter to such events;
• Supports inter-agency, OCHA and other official missions.

Reporting

• Assist in supporting the collection of field information to improve coordination activities and information products such as ‘Who does What Where’ (3W) and inter-agency reports;
• In consultation with the Humanitarian Affairs Officer, assist in the design and preparation of studies on humanitarian, disaster, emergency relief and related issues and in various follow-up activities;
• Assist in the regular monitoring and analysis of developments in the designated country and support the preparation of analytical reports highlighting social, political, humanitarian and other relevant factors affecting the overall humanitarian situation;
• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues;
• Contributes to the preparation of various written documents, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, etc.;
• Assist in matters related to natural disasters, including drafting situation reports and flash appeals, preparing costs plans for cash contributions made by/through OCHA and final reporting on their use.

Information Management

• Assist in liaising with humanitarian partners on the collection of information to effectively map areas of humanitarian needs and response activities in support of coordination efforts; and track information required for early warning of potential conflict and natural disasters;
• Develops and maintains reference/resource information on specific topics or policy-related issues; responds to various inquiries and information requests internally and externally;
• Maintains awareness of current humanitarian affairs and related issues, to include relevant political, policy, gender considerations or other developments in specific subject area, country or region concerned;
• Maintains an electronic and hard copy database of relevant humanitarian information for use of the humanitarian community.

Advocacy

• Support advocacy initiatives on issues impacting humanitarian needs and response efforts through the collection of information; liaison with local and international humanitarian partners, and local and regional government officials, development of appropriate strategies, etc.

Other Functions

• Participates in technical assistance, disaster assessment or other missions where necessary;
• Participates in project/programme formulation and mobilization of relevant resources;
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism

•  Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance and related human rights issues;
• Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection;
• Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases;
• Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given;
• Work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery).

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 and 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.

Functional competencies

• Strong drafting skills;
• Knowledge of information management is also an asset;
• Proven analytical skills;
• Ability to establish clear goals and to achieve desired results consistent with agreed strategies;
• Ability to foresee risks and allow for contingencies in planning;
• Ability to implement ideas and deliver outputs with minimum supervision and within prescribed time, cost and standards;
• Ability to work in the field and under stressful working conditions;
• Working knowledge of MS Office applications;
• Strong communication, coordination and facilitation skills;
• Knowledge of local context of the Mindanao region is a must.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) or Bachelors degree in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field;

Experience: 

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience from a national and/ or international perspective in the management of natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation and development;
• Experience in liaison with authorities is an asset;
• Experience in the UN System and in the region and familiarity with the UN System and UN Humanitarian Reform, are advantages but not required;
• Experience in Mindanao, Philippines is highly recommended.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English;
• Fluency in local languages (e.g. Visaya or Tagalog);
• Knowledge of another UN working language is an asset.

Application procedure:

The selected candidate will receive a salary that is commensurate with his/her background and work experience.  Interested applicants are encouraged to apply online and attach the UN Personal History Form (P.11), available in our website http://www.ph.undp.org/content/philippines/en/home/operations/jobs/   and send to us  on or before 24 November 2014.  Kindly note that only completed P.11 forms will be reviewed (upload it at the place of CV when prompted because the system takes only one attachment).

 UNDP is an equal opportunity employer.  Please note that we will contact only the short-listed candidates.