Background

Under the overall supervision of the Team Leader for the Humanitarian Coordinator’s Office (HCO), and with support and methodological guidance from the Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officers the incumbent facilitates humanitarian activities in the country. The support provided to the HC focuses on the following three sets of activities: a) preparedness, b) support to emergency response, and c) development of national humanitarian coordination networks. For this purpose, the humanitarian team works with the HC and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), national and local authorities when appropriate and relevant humanitarian partners in the country.

The National Humanitarian Affairs Officer will support coordination of the implementation of humanitarian activities by working together with relevant staff in the HCO and will support implementation and monitoring of the humanitarian activities and will be a key player in promoting a client-oriented approach by facilitating interactions with operational humanitarian agencies in Syria.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Team Leader and under the day-to-day guidance of the senior. Humanitarian Affairs Officer, the incumbent is expected to perform the following tasks:

Summary of key functions:

• Coordination;
• Resource mobilization/appeals.

Coordination:

• Assist the Team Leader in implementing a regional humanitarian coordination structure, strategy, and policy;
• Establish partnerships with other humanitarian agencies in order to plan and evaluate assistance programmes activities, including gender-related considerations;
• Under the supervision of the HAO, coordinate the delivery of international humanitarian assistance   participate in need assessments, and specify unmet requirements;
• Coordinate humanitarian response/preparedness and formulate project proposals; provide technical support to sectors;
• Assist in the establishment and maintenance of contacts with other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and relevant government counter parts in the assigned region;
• Help establish, consolidate and maintain a database of information on who is doing What Where; on humanitarian assistance and preparedness;
• Organize, participate and/or assist in organizing work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.

Resource mobilization/appeals:

• Assist in the production of appeals for international assistance; ensure the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through CERF/ERF funds;
• Perform other duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• Team Leader and other Humanitarian Affairs Officer;
• UN agencies;
• International and national NGOs;
• Relevant government departments.

Impact of Results

Assist the Regional Humanitarian Coordination’s Office in identifying significant humanitarian issues Develop well-reasoned, innovative suggestions and approaches to problem resolution.  Help meet organizational objectives and provide sound analytical inputs and advice with respect to coordination of humanitarian action.

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Proven analytical skills: ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, and recommend appropriate solutions;
• Very good knowledge of the program of assignment, including the cultural, political and economic dimensions;
• Ability to relate humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender, social-economic issues;
• Strong negotiation skills: ability to lead and gain assistance of others in a team endeavor, and to articulate coherent arguments to reach agreement;
• Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment;
• Very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs and sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. 

Judgment and Decision-making:

• Apply sound judgment to resolve a range of issues/ problems. 

Planning and Organizing:

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

Technological Awareness:

• Solid computer skills, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet applications, and relevant software packages, including e-mail.

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:

• Bachelor Degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience:       

• 4 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in management of natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation and development. In providing management advisory services.  Experience in the region would be an asset;
• Knowledge about the UN and RC systems would be an advantage;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages;
• Experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required.