Background

The position is based in the Office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) Humanitarian Advisory Team in Colombo, Sri Lanka.  

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Humanitarian Advisory Team (HAT) and overall guidance of the RC/HC and Head of Preparedness Response Unit at OCHA ROAP, the incumbent is responsible for providing timely and appropriate assistance in the areas of disaster response preparedness, humanitarian coordination and to assist in strengthening and consolidating national capacity. The Humanitarian Affairs Specialist (Disaster Management) works closely with humanitarian agencies, the UN country team, Government agencies, I/NGO and donor community in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions

• Provide advisory services and strengthen inter-agency preparedness in coordination with national authorities, OCHA Regional Office for Asia & the Pacific (ROAP) and other humanitarian stakeholders;
• Coordinate with the relevant stakeholders to strengthen effective response linked with disaster risk reduction and preparedness, contingency planning,  advocate for improved response capacity to disasters, and monitor potential areas of concern;
• Promote and disseminate knowledge of humanitarian response tools, including the Cluster Approach and use of humanitarian financing tools. Improve understanding of global response tools such as the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC), UN Civil-Military Coordination and the International Search and Rescue Advisory Committee (INSARAG);
• Provide Surge Capacity as needed to respond to sudden-onset disasters.

Ensures implementation of programme strategies focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Through analysis and research of the humanitarian, political, social and economic situation in the country prepare substantive inputs to CHAP, Flash Appeals, Early Warning / Action Reports, and other documents. Analysis and synthesis of proposals on the areas for support and interventions within the practice area of specialization assigned.

Provide advisory services and strengthen inter-agency preparedness in coordination with national authorities, OCHA Regional Office for Asia & the Pacific (ROAP)  and other humanitarian stakeholders:

• Support to implement the Minimum Preparedness Package (MPP) together with the humanitarian community, ROAP and the Government of Sri Lanka as part of UNDAF Pillar IV planning and OCHA transition;
• Provide support to draft and implement a contingency plan together with the Government, UN, and INGOs including a simulation exercise;
• Coordinate improvements to common humanitarian needs assessment tools such as Multi-Cluster/Sector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA), and lead joint assessments in the field as needed;
• Provide training and orientation on assessment tools to all partners at central and regional levels and establish a roster of experts for timely assessments - application of MIRA in the field;
• Organise rapid assessments following disasters;
• Work closely with national disaster management authorities in the Government of Sri Lanka and other national stakeholders to harmonize response preparedness at the strategic and operational levels;
• Act as the linkage between national disaster response mechanism with the relevant regional and international networks to enhance skills and strengthening the response capacity;
• Facilitate national level response preparedness planning in support of national authorities and coordinated with humanitarian partners;
• Support coordination, analysis and development of strategies for inter-agency and Government collaboration;
• Provide analysis, recommendations, guidance and necessary advisory support to the Government of Sri Lanka relevant Ministries/Departments, OCHA and partners on disaster preparedness, emergency response and related initiatives.

Coordinate with the relevant stakeholders to strengthen effective response linked with disaster risk reduction and preparedness, contingency planning, advocate for improved response capacity to disasters, and monitor potential areas of concern:

• Monitor potential flashpoint areas for emergencies and humanitarian needs and use existing capacities for rapid assessment, monitoring and reporting;
• Support the Ministry of Disaster Management (MDM) and the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) on coordination for disaster preparedness, emergency response and relief with line ministries, UN agencies, Sri Lanka Red Cross Movement (SLRCs), International and Non-government Organisations (I/NGOs), military and relevant partners;
• Ensure humanitarian needs are raised with the Government authorities such as the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC), National Disaster Management Coordination Committee (NDMCC) and other humanitarian forums;
• Act as a lead person to link the national authorities with the relevant International counterpart on signing the Model Customs Agreement to expedite the custom clearance in event of large-scale emergency;
• Review and provide lessons learnt on disaster events including best practices;
• Provide support and assist government and agencies in follow-up on recommendations of the UNDAC DRP mission;
• Ensure efficient and timely information flow between the Government and DRR/humanitarian counterparts on emergency response, humanitarian assistance and preparedness initiatives through drafting and sharing Situation Updates/Reports during an emergency, meeting notes, briefings and activity updates;
• Contribute in the preparation of OCHA Sri Lanka strategy in-line with OCHA Global strategy on humanitarian, transition and disaster preparedness/response goals and objectives;
• Support the Head of Office/Deputy Head of Office in building linkages on civil military coordination among Sri Lanka Armed Forces and OCHA ROAP and OCHA Civil Military Coordination Section in Geneva.

Promote and disseminate knowledge of humanitarian response tools and services, including the Cluster Approach and use of humanitarian financing tools. Improve the understanding of global response tools such as the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC), UN Civil-Military Coordination and the International Search and Rescue Advisory Committee (INSARAG):

• Raise awareness within the UN System, other humanitarian actors and the Government of Sri Lanka on IASC tools, services and mechanisms for response;
• Raise awareness of rapid financing mechanisms, including Flash Appeals, OCHA Emergency Cash Grants (ECG), CERF and ERF funding, and assist in defining the trigger mechanisms to access these rapid financing mechanisms;
• Preparation of CERF proposals and Annual Reports, Flash Appeals, project proposals and formulate the Early Warning/Early Action Report;
• Implement coordination mechanisms and implementation of lines of action as per the cluster approach;
• Support UNDAC missions and facilitate INSARAG simulation exercises as appropriate.

Provide Surge Capacity as needed to respond to sudden-onset disasters:

• Manage joint humanitarian assessments, lead and manage assessments when necessary;
• Provide backstopping support to field offices when needs arise;
• As needed, be available for deployment in the event of natural disasters in the region;
• Perform other duties, as assigned by the Head of Office or his/her designate.

Impact of Results

• Responsible for monitoring potential areas for emergency and humanitarian needs and use existing capacities for rapid assessment and reporting;
• Priority areas of the National Disaster Management Policy, Plan and National Emergency Operations Procedures (NEOP) are supported in coordination with humanitarian partners;
• Awareness of preparedness measures for more effective response is increased among national Government disaster focal points and HCT members;
• Agencies maximize the use of humanitarian financing systems (ECG, CERF, ERF) for timely humanitarian emergency response;
• Responsible to ensure effective humanitarian response and improve inter-agency preparedness and response to natural disasters. The HCT will conduct a joint needs assessment in a coordinated fashion in future emergencies;
• Development of effective networks and communication channels that contribute to information sharing.

Competencies

Core competencies required:

Professionalism

• Sound knowledge of and exposure to the field of humanitarian assistance, the ability to analyze the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response;
• Ability to identify humanitarian-related issues and to use knowledge/judgment in resolving potential problems, including ability to evaluate information from a variety of sources to assess the impact of the humanitarian situation;
• Good understanding of institutional mandates, policies and guiding principles related to humanitarian affairs and of the institutions of the UN system, in particular, the mandate and core humanitarian polices of OCHA.

Planning and Organizing

• Capacity to develop clear and executable goals that are consistent with agreed overall strategies;
• Ability to effectively plan own work as well as coordinate and monitor the work of others;
• Ability to manage conflicting and challenging priorities; as well as
• To work under pressure and/or with limited supervision;
• Capacity to foresee potential risks/predicaments and to allow for contingencies when planning.    

Communication

• Very good verbal and written communication skills; Ability to write clearly and concisely in English;
• Ability to draft/edit a variety of humanitarian-related reports/papers;
• Ability to articulate/convey ideas in a very clear and concise fashion, including capacity to tailor language, tone, style and format to match the audience.

Client Orientation

• Ability to identify clients’ needs and match them to appropriate solutions;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
• Capacity to keep clients informed of progress or setbacks in ongoing projects;
• Ability to monitor ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate potential problems.

Teamwork

• Very good interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Ability to share credit for team accomplishments and to accept joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advance University Degree (Master’s degree) or equivalent in Social Sciences, Sustainable Development, Economics, Political Sciences, International relations or related field.

Experiences:

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in national or international organizations in providing management advisory services and/or managing staff and operational systems in the field of disaster management;
• Strong computer skills;
• Proven team-working skills;
• Confident in leading the field of disaster response preparedness at national level;
• Relevant professional experience within the UN common system would be a strong asset;
• Very good and proven knowledge of OCHA’s institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to humanitarian affairs and humanitarian reform is desirable.  

Language Requirements:

• Proven communication skills in written and spoken English and local language(s).