Jobs - 57446- National Humanitarian Affairs Officer

National Humanitarian Affairs Officer

Location :

Freetown, SIERRA LEONE

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

15-Jul-2015

Application Deadline :

03-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Until 31 December 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

The Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. Its mission is to mobilize and coordinate humanitarian action effectively in partnership with national and international actors to intervene consistently in emergency situations, to alleviate human suffering, advocate for rights of people in need, promote preparedness and prevention of disasters and facilitate the development of sustainable solutions.

In 2014, Sierra Leone became the second country to contract Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) from neighboring Guinea. Since then, Sierra Leone has registered the second highest cases of EVD. Experts warn that the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in parts of West Africa is now the largest, longest, most severe and most complex in nearly four-decade history of this disease.

Ebola crisis has had a negative and unprecedented impact on the social, economic and political situation in Sierra Leone: the health service is under tremendous strain with serious consequences to delivery of other essential services; livelihoods are lost with closure of companies, agricultural fields have been abandoned - people have fallen deeper into poverty; closure and/or controls at border points disrupted local markets due to interruptions in trade flows affecting prices of commodities. The EVD outbreak has also a) strained government finances, b) increased the national deficit and resulted in substantial shortfalls in domestic revenue, c) highlighted the countries’ weaknesses in terms of infrastructure generally, such as lack of access to health facilities; improved sources of water, sanitation and electricity and d) poor roads and bridges with limited maintenance.

OCHA has set up a presence in Sierra Leone to support coordination activities from response to recovery. OCHA Sierra Leone is involved in the coordination of an effective Ebola response through continued engagement of needs analysis to identify priorities and enable timely decision making.

The National Humanitarian Affairs Officer is therefore needed to supplement the work of the office in ensuring a seamless and coordinated action.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Humanitarian Affairs Officer will work under the supervision of the Head of Office OCHA-Sierra Leone.

Related functions will include:

Provide support to and participate in relevant coordination meetings;
Ensure timely acknowledgement of communications from all stakeholders, follow-up on issues, consulting as appropriate with the Head of Office, colleagues and other actors;
Participate in field missions at the request of the HoO;
Attend and follow-up on sector meetings under guidance of the Head of Office or delegated authority;
Collect, review and analyze available information to better assist OCHA analysis and decision-making processes;
Keep the management informed of all issues that could impact on the humanitarian situation in the country, including media and public opinion pieces;
Participate in drafting or updating of reports or response plans;
Support all advocacy initiatives;
Consolidate available information on needs assessments and support the gap analysis;
Participate in any needs assessments necessary;
Support the preparation and follow-up of inter-sector and other meetings which OCHA host;
Support and liaise with the NGOs and other partners;
Participate in the financial tracking and funding analysis;
Provide inputs to the Sierra Leone public sitrep and OCHA internal report;
Maintain and update the network of contacts with the humanitarian and disaster management community;
Liaise with the IMO to identify country data/information gaps for preparedness and response.

Competencies

Professionalism

Proven analytical skills: ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, and recommend appropriate solutions;
Ability to relate humanitarian issues and perspectives, including gender to political, economic, social and human rights developments in the country;
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 agencies is an advantage, including the field of humanitarian action, protection of civilians in armed conflict, and civil-military coordination;
Good drafting and report writing skills are required;
Good presentation skills.

Planning and Organizing

Proven ability to plan and organize, establish priorities, manage and monitor work plans, coordinate competing demands, and work to tight deadlines.

Communication

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, conveying maximum information, making and defending recommendations

Teamwork

Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a 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, Sociology, Humanitarian Law, International studies, Public Administration, or other relevant science is required.

Experience:

2 years of relevant progressively professional responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management or other related areas, either with a UN organization or an NGO will be given a priority;
A first-level university degree in combination with 3 additional years of relevant and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
Excellent command of computers and other technology, with experience in the office suite applications (Word, Excel, Access, 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.

Language Requirement:

Fluency in written and spoken English required (writing skills will be tested);
Knowledge of national languages is an asset.