Historique

Applicants who previously applied need not re-apply.

The landscape of humanitarian action has changed over the last two decades since the current capacities and structures were established to provide a framework for the coordination of international humanitarian assistance. Growth in the scope and diversity of humanitarian needs, as well as a more complex operating environment, have created new challenges. There are also new opportunities: a wider range of actors have become involved, and innovations improve service delivery in each response. This is why preparations are under way for the first World Humanitarian Summit in May 2016. The United Nations Secretary-General has requested that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs organize the summit to set an agenda for a changing community of humanitarian actors to work together better to serve people in need.  The summit will be the highlight in a process of change which has already begun, and this process will last well beyond the event itself. The summit will set the agenda for work beyond 2016 to make humanitarian action more effective, inclusive, and global – and overall, fit for the future. For more information on the summit, please visit www.worldhumanitariansummit.org.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Results Expected:

• The WHSS Humanitarian Affairs Officer plays a lead role in supporting preparations for the Summit, including development of strategies to engage with Member States and regional organisations in support of the WHS;
• He/she will be responsible for developing and contributing to implementing a robust strategy to strength engagement with Member States in support of the WHS, including identifying and supporting with champions;
• He/ she will also contribute to preparations for the Summit itself in terms of advising on the choreography and protocol issues among other key functions.

The position will be based in New York and managerially located in the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) secretariat of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The WHS secretariat is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  The Humanitarian Affairs Officer will report to the Deputy Chief of the World Humanitarian Summit Secretariat. Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Chief of the WHSS, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Serves as a senior policy adviser within the WHSS on normative frameworks, building and strengthening of relationships with governments and regional organisations; reviews and provides advice on a diverse range of policy issues related to strengthening the humanitarian system;
• Serves as focal point within the WHSS on topics related to normative framework for humanitarian assistance; keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with Member States, other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc;
• Develops a strategy to strengthen engagement with Member States and inter-governmental bodies;
• Prepares policy position papers for review on topics related to intergovernmental relations and strengthening of coordination of humanitarian action;
• Assists Member States through facilitation of pertinent information and provision of support relevant to the normative framework in relation to the WHSS; recommends actions based on analysis of pertinent information;
• Organizes and prepares meetings and events on the WHSS developments related to the normative framework; organizes follow-up work, including meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues;
• Assists or leads, as appropriate, in the preparation of legislative/normative documents, reports, background papers, correspondence, etc. relevant to the process and outcome of the WHS;
• Contributed to providing support and information to relevant delegations and intergovernmental fora or other entities on specific WHS relevant issues;
• Organizes and participates in working groups, meetings, briefings, conferences, consultations with Member States, other UN agencies and external partners on intergovernmental issues pertaining to the WHS;
• Supports preparations for the Summit event;
• Project management functions including potentially managing a number of staff, recruitment, developing work plan, among other key functions.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• Staff at all levels within the United Nations both in New York and Geneva;
• Representatives of other humanitarian agencies and other member organizations in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee;
• Member State Representatives;
• Representatives of regional organisations, such as the AU, ASEAN, and the EU;
• UN agencies and external partners.

Compétences

Professionalism:

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems;
• Strong knowledge of and experience in conference planning and management;
• Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement;
• Ability to work under extreme pressure;
• Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system;
• Shows pride in work and in achievements;
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments and in observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
• Remains calm in stressful situations;
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• 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;
• 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& 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 and 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.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:  

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, or a related field;
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (9 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience at the national and international level including experience in policy planning and outreach in relation UN policy processes;
• Experience related to development of policy documents and agenda and/or coordination of normative processes at the inter-agency/intergovernmental levels is required;
• Experience both at the field and headquarters levels are also required;
• Experience working with national governments, regional organisations and private sector is desirable;
• Excellent managerial/organisation skills and a solution-oriented attitude;
• A strong sense of client orientation and a strong drive for results;
• Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and within a multicultural team.
• Previous experience in organizing international conferences and supporting the coordination of numerous stakeholder groups.

Language:

• Fluent in English;
• knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.