Historique

The landscape of humanitarian action has changed since 1991, when a landmark resolution of the United Nations General Assembly established the international humanitarian response system as it is known today. Growth in the scope and diversity of humanitarian needs and a more complex operating environment, have created new risks. There are also new opportunities: a wider range of actors and inter-operating networks are involved, and innovations improve service delivery in each response. This is why preparations are under way for the first World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) in 2016. The United Nations Secretary-General has requested that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) organize the summit, to help a changing humanitarian community work together to better serve people in need. It is a unique opportunity to take stock and adapt. The summit will be the highlight in a process of change that begins now, but lasts well beyond the event itself. It will set the agenda for work beyond 2016 to make humanitarian action more inclusive, global and effective – and overall, fit for the future. The Summit will focus on a few core themes to set the agenda. Five broad categories have emerged from recent policy discussions.

These are:

• Keeping people safe in conflict;
• Putting people at the center of response;
• Adapting the system to a new evolving world (urbanization, innovation, protracted crises);
• Closing the gender gap;
• Closing the finance gap.

For more information on the background to the Summit (Location, Timing, Themes, and Consultation Process etc.), please visit: www.worldhumanitariansummit.org. Please find also the document WHS at a Glance attached to the Terms of Reference as an integral part of them.

Towards the Summit

With the finalization of the Synthesis Report, the WHSS will be pivoting towards the Summit in May 2016, working on gaining support of various stakeholders to present key initiatives to move the Summit agenda forward and beyond the WHS process.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Results Expected

Provides sound analytical inputs and advice on how to guarantee a successful, launch of initiatives and concrete actions leading up to the World Humanitarian Summit that will contribute to more create a more inclusive, effective and interoperable humanitarian system. Takes action to identify WHS-related issues/problems and develops creative approaches to problem resolution. Provides timely delivery of assigned outputs. Develops partnerships and interacts effectively with colleagues internally and externally.

The WHS Thematic Coordination Officer will play an active role in identifying and supporting the thematic team’s initiatives to launch in the Summit. He/she will support the WHS Thematic Coordinator in bringing together existing analyses, reports, discussions and identified challenges, as well as partners and platforms to grow such initiatives.

Main Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the HAO will be responsible for the following duties:

• Supporting the coordination of relevant WHSS teams efforts in identifying projects for launching at the Summit;
• Developing criteria to determine projects to be considered for the Summit;
• Contributing to identifying key projects to be taken forward by partners for the Summit;
• Developing guidelines for partners, including Govts and Organizations, to facilitate their work in developing the projects for the Summit;
• Collaborating with key partners on projects to be taken forward to the Summit and collaborating with the communications team on messaging around the projects to be announced at the Summit;
• Collaborating with the WHS Event Coordinator to determine the platform(s) and the method in which the projects will be launched or announced at the Summit;
• Working with various OCHA offices, including PSS, to strengthen engagement with the private sector in support of the WHS;
• Supporting various team members and working with partners on a political strategy to garner support around key projects;
•  Supporting preparations for the Thematic and Global Consultations, including determing and developing the required material and sessions to discuss key projects;
• Organizing meetings of relevant partners on different initiatives including developing background documents and drafting the minutes;
• Identifying potential non-traditional partners such as private sector groups, professional associations and others to participate on concrete initiatives;
• Establishing and maintaining contact with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media on the topic of the WHS and in particular on key themes and initiatives.
• Preparing and contributing to the preparation of various written reports, documents, and communications, e.g. draft sections of studies, background papers, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence related to the WHS;
• Working with key partners in developing and organizing key joint activities and events, including facilitating linkages between the WHS secretariat and the Habitat III Secretariat;
• Taking forward the Global Alliance and the Urban Charter as a key urban initiative;
• Prepare projects proposals and mobilize resources as required to support the development, piloting and/or implementation of key projects.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following

Staff at all levels within OCHA and UNDP both in New York and Geneva, Humanitarian Coordinators and their staff in the field, as well as staff at ISDR, ICRC/IFRC and other organizations leading key strategic processes leading up to 2015/16.

The work will require contact with Programme Managers, Regional Commissions, UN Resident Coordinators, Representatives of other UN humanitarian agencies and other member organizations in the Inter- Agency Standing Committee, UN Mission and Member State personnel with responsibility for humanitarian issues, and non-governmental organization representatives. Delegations, government officials and partners in universities and research institutes, etc., private sector partners, communities affected by humanitarian crisis.

Compétences

Functional Competencies:

Professionalism

• Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, urban issues, climate change, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems;
• Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response;
• Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems;
• Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned country/area.
• Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery);
• Shows pride in work and in achievements;
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, 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.

Commitment to Continuous Learning

• Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession;
• Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally;
• Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates;
• Shows willingness to learn from others;
• Seeks feedback to learn and improve.

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.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

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 of 9 years may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area.

Language:

• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

Other:        

• Expertise in urban crises response, conflict, livelihoods, gender and disaster risk reduction is essential;
• Ability to contribute and easily develop a network of contacts would be an asset to help convene workshops, events, or analytical inputs to support the work of taking forward key initiatives.