Background

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator, the UN Humanitarian Coordination Analyst strengthens capacity of the UN Country Team to operate under the Deliver as One approach followed in Ghana in the areas of disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and coordinated humanitarian crisis response. This position coordinates UN support to strengthen the technical and organizational capacities of the government agencies responsible for crisis prevention, preparedness and response in Ghana.  .

The UN Humanitarian Coordination Analyst supports the execution of services in the RC Office that support the UNCT by managing and sharing information, supporting the design and monitoring of crisis response and disaster risk reduction components of the UNCT work plan and UNDAF, promoting operational efficiency, and facilitating UNCT activities, meetings of the Inter-Agency Working Group for Emergencies (IAWGE), and annual retreats.  In addition to managing specific work areas and carrying out the specific tasks outlined in this Job Description, the small size of the RC Office requires flexibility among team members and a back-up regime to ensure business continuity in the absence of other members of the team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures inclusive humanitarian coordination and emergency preparedness, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Effective sharing of information with the RC and UNCT on risk assessments and emerging situations such as natural disasters, extreme weather, environmental hazards. Supporting the UNCT in managing the IAWGE in maintaining the currency and relevance of the UN contingency plan in line with the Cluster Approach supported by OCHA and in coordination with the National Contingency Plan;
• Strengthening the capacities of Government agencies to take the lead in preventing and responding to humanitarian situations;
• Effective support to the RC in carrying out tasks related to humanitarian crisis prevention and response, including for the coordination of the IAWGE, organization of its regular meetings, ensuring consultation on agendas,  drafting reports and reporting on follow-up action points to the UNCT;
• Coordinated provision of support to emergency preparedness at national and regional levels in collaboration with the UNCT and IAWGE;
• Maintaining close communication and partnerships with the National Disaster Management Organization, monitoring and advising on capacity building support from all Development Partners and organizing regular meetings between the National Coordinator and the RC;
• Maintained, updated and circulated humanitarian contact list on regular basis;
  Maintained communication and partnerships with key NGOs working in the field of disaster prevention and response as members of the IAWGE;
• Preparation and circulation of Situation Reports on incidents related to humanitarian issues and crises;
• In case of humanitarian crisis resulting in Government request for support from the UN, ensures coordination with NADMO, supports the RC in coordinating the IAWGE or humanitarian task force, and ensures coordination of submission and reporting of CERF and other resource mobilization efforts.

Ensures effective support to the RC and the UNCT in preparation and implementation of country programming processes and products, including CCA and UNDAF and UN joint programmes coordination focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensures preparation and implementation of the DRR and crisis response capacity-building in the RC work plan and budget;
  Participation in the work of UNDAF Thematic Groups leading UN work on disaster risk reduction and crisis response capacity-building;
• Coordination of the preparation of inputs related to risk assessment, DRR and crisis response in UNDAF, CCA, and evaluation processes;
• Monitoring and coordination of the process of Joint/Collaborative programme development in the area of DRR and crisis response, or with components on this issues in broader projects or programs, including facilitating support to lead agencies and project managers and coordination of the provision of periodic financial and narrative reports;
• Preparation of timely inputs into documents summarizing developments in the UNDAF areas of cooperation, including annual reports;
• Performs other relevant tasks as part of the RC Office as needed and directed by the RC.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of sources of information related to humanitarian crisis prevention, preparedness and response. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to the types of risks identified as of highest likelihood in Ghana;
• Maintains up-to-date sharing of relevant UN documents, experience, and tools on disaster risk reduction and humanitarian response coordination on the UN Ghana on-line open-access point;
• Coordinates training for UNCT members as agreed with the HoA on the Cluster Approach to ensure learning and sharing of good practices.

Promotes coordination of disaster risk reduction work within UNDP and across UNCT members within humanitarian coordination, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Advocacy for vulnerable populations in DRR work, UNCT publications and reports, and crisis prevention/response planning and activities;
• Ensures coordination with UNCT members in the event of provision of humanitarian assistance to refugee camps;
• Ensures circulation of research findings, evaluation reports, and tools generated by UNCT members, and their HQs, relevant to disaster risk assessment, preparedness and effective response and inclusion of lessons learnt in humanitarian crisis prevention and response planning;
• Provision of advice to the RC and UNCT on potential opportunities to improve coherence and avoid duplication of efforts in the areas of DRR.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:     

• Results-Based Programme Development and Management for UN Coordination;
• Building Strategic Partnerships for UN Coordination;
• Resource Mobilization for UN Coordination;
• Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise for UNDP and UN Coordination;
• Advocacy for UN Goals;
• Client Orientation.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethic, integrity, confidentiality, and objectivity;
• Ability to remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure, crisis situations and tight deadlines;
• Demonstrating awareness of and compliance with UN security procedures;
• Demonstrating commitment to the UN’s core values, particularly on gender equality and respect for cultural differences;
• 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;
• Managing conflict;
• Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, International Relations, Business Management, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience:

• Relevant experience at the national or international level in crisis preparedness and response and disaster risk reduction, providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• 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 English.