Jobs - 63281- Humanitarian Affairs Officer - UNOCHA

Humanitarian Affairs Officer - UNOCHA - (Open to Yemeni Nationals Only)

Location :

Sana'a, YEMEN

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

16-Mar-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-A

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year (renewable)

Languages Required :

Arabic 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 United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Yemen facilitates humanitarian action across the country. OCHA mobilizes and coordinates principled humanitarian response in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies, advocates the rights of people in need, supports emergency preparedness and response, and facilitates sustainable solutions for vulnerable people adversely affected by conflict and natural disaster. OCHA supports the work of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), the Inter-Cluster Coordination Mechanism (ICCM) national authorities and other humanitarian partners including NGOs in Yemen.
The national Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be based in Sanaa where s/he will be a member of the Humanitarian Financing team with the role of supporting humanitarian partners (UN agencies, international and national NGOs and other stakeholders) working with the Humanitarian Pooled Fund (HPF). Under the direct supervision of the Head of Unit, with overall direction of the Head of OCHA, and working as an integral part of the organization’s team, the incumbent will ensure maximum professionalism and add capacity in supporting the implementation of OCHA Yemen work plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head of the Humanitarian Financing Unit, the National Humanitarian Affairs Officer will:

Support the review of project budgets as part of the funding allocation process together with HFU field colleagues and HQ;
Prepare grant agreements and supporting documents ensuring accuracy, consistency and compliance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR) and the Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF) Guidelines;
Take the lead in the review of budget amendments requests and provide feedback to implementing partners and/or relevant HFU colleagues;
Track, collect and review financial reports from HPF partners to ensure accuracy and compliance with HPF guidelines and provide feedback to partners as necessary;
Assist in tracking project spending and ensure that future payments are approved based on satisfactory financial reporting and justification of previous instalments;
Take the lead in following up on requests for payments to partners and in handling all queries related to payments with HQ and implementing partners;
Assist HFU staff with the review of financial banking information required to be submitted and updated by implementing partners as part of due diligence procedures;
Support HFU colleagues in the conduct of project audits with partners, helping facilitate audits, reviewing audit reports, keeping records of partner performance, providing feedback to partner and supporting the process of recovery of funds if necessary;
Assist in the preparation of financial analyses for dashboards, Annual Reports and other progress or ad-hoc reports;
Conduct partner sensitization on HPF financial procedures and guidelines, including on the Grants Management System (GMS), through participation in meetings and trainings;
Support any other duties as determined by the supervisor or the Head of Office.

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 endeavor, 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;
Good drafting and report writing skills are required;
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.

Communications:

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 Business Management, Accounting, Economics or related field is required;
A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of relevant and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

2 years of relevant progressively professional responsible experience in finance and accounting/administration, crisis/emergency financial management or other related area, preferably with at least two years with a UN organization or an NGO;
Very good analytical and writing skills are required, as is experience with project budgeting and budget management;
Experience with auditing an advantage;
Experience of working in international agencies is an advantage, including the field of humanitarian action;
Excellent command of Office suite applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint);
Proven abilities in data collection, compilation, analysis and reporting with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and effective oral communication.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required (writing skills will be tested).

Note:

This position may involve travelling within and outside Yemen.

Additional Information:

Interested candidates should complete United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) available in the link below and upload it electronically to the site when applying:

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc

Incomplete P.11 form unfortunately will not be processed.