UNDP Jobs - 65566- Humanitarian Specialist

Humanitarian Specialist

Location :

Lilongwe, MALAWI

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2016

Application Deadline :

22-Apr-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 Year

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 current effects of El Nino in Malawi are the second strongest since 1990. The onset of rains has been delayed throughout most of Malawi. This in turn has led to insufficient moisture for planting in many areas, delaying planting activities, affecting severely key crops, constraining agricultural labour/income-earning opportunities, and will likely delay availability of green maize and other key staple commodities before the usual harvest. According to the first round crop estimates results conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture of Malawi, the maize and legumes production in Malawi will decrease at least 2% and 5% respectively for the rain fed season 2015 -2016 worsening the food availability perspectives for vulnerable communities during 2016. Meanwhile, erratic rains are also causing localised flash flooding in some areas leading to infrastructural and crop damage as well as displacement.

These patterns have been reflected across most of Southern Africa, with FEWSNET and SADC noting significantly below average and poorly distributed seasonal rainfall since October/2015, leading to temporary and permanently wilted crops, livestock trans boundary disease outbreaks, animal deaths, shortages of water supplies for human and agriculture use, including a severe drought over portions of South Africa, the region’s principle grain exporter. It is estimated that for the first time, Malawi may enter the 2016/17 consumption season with zero carryover stocks.

MVAC and FEWS NET are also finding alarming food and nutrition security trends across the country. Food prices are abnormally high, with the national average price for maize moving from MWK151/kg in December 2015 to MWK198 per/kg in January 2016 (a 31% increase), and WFP’s MVAM market monitoring noting prices as high as MWK 300/kg. National prices are about 111% above those recorded last year and 137% above the 5 year average. There is a scarcity of maize in markets across the country due to the 30 percent production deficit in 2014/15 production season, and dwindling ADMARC supplies. FEWS NET notes that the steep price increases have led to more households becoming food insecure above the 2.8 million that were identified by the MVAC whose assumptions projected maize highest prices to peak at MWK 200/kg in the consumption season.

Longer term challenges:

Nearly 60 percent of the Malawian population who live under the poverty line derive their livelihoods from activities related to agricultural production. The agriculture sector in the country is characterized by low productivity, lack of predictability and high risk to climate and external shocks. With more than 90 percent of national food production relying on a single rain-fed cropping season, Malawian agriculture is highly susceptible to weather shocks. Population growth is increasing pressure on the farming and the food supply system, leading to smaller land holdings, less sustainable livelihoods, deforestation and over-farmed depleted soils. In addition to negative implications for soil health and water management, the low crop productivity, the limited technical assistance/extension services and the widespread small-holder maize monoculture system has further negative implications for human nutrition and development.

In spite of major investments in fertilizer and improved seed distributions facilitated through the Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP) implemented by the Government of Malawi, the agriculture sector has not managed to ensure a sufficient increase of small-scale farmers efficiency, failing to match productivity increases to population growth, largely due to underinvestment in complementary activities such as agricultural extension and research, infrastructure and market development. This has also been compounded by structural operational problems, lack of flexibility and inefficiencies related to the implementation of the FISP.

Meanwhile, food insecurity remains alarmingly high, with 25% of the population food insecure irrespective of shocks, and cyclical lean season responses that have grown to over a million people on average per year since 2012 to 2.86 million in 2016, 18% of the population, despite record national maize surpluses. Meanwhile malnutrition remains at 42%, with 53% stunting of children under 5, the 5th highest in the world. Despite the economic growth reported by Malawi, the repeated emergencies that have affected the country in the last five (5) years coupled social protection public policy shortcomings, rapid population growth, unstable macroeconomic conditions, limited and discontinued allocation of financial and human resources for technical assistance in soil and water management and food production, the scattered implementation of Disaster Risk and Management programs and lack of coordination at different levels have led to the recent trend of an increased annual MVAC case load. This carries considerable cost implications in addition to the opportunity costs of investing in responsive rather than preventative approaches. A major challenge for the country is to minimize the caseload of food insecure Malawians, creating more resilient food systems that are able to make food available, accessible and safe for all people in a sustainable manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Malawi, the Humanitarian Advisor will support the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), humanitarian clusters/sectors and local authorities in charge of disaster and risk management to respond to humanitarian needs and priorities in addition to supporting efforts to coordinate resilience building and ‘breaking the cycle’ work. S/he will help ensure strategic and operational services are provided to all partners

In order to achieve the stated objective, the Specialist will have the following responsibilities:

Support the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in her role of coordinating the international humanitarian response in Malawi, ensuring strategic and operational coordination mechanisms and to support the Resident/ Humanitarian Coordinator in developing and delivering joint resilience building activities that contribute to ‘breaking the cycle.’

Provide substantial assistance in the implementation of inclusive, humanitarian coordination mechanisms, including liaison with relevant UN agencies, NGOs, and local authorities; support sector/cluster working groups as required; and facilitate exchange on cross-cutting issues;
Draft regular situation papers/reports highlighting relevant operational factors affecting the humanitarian situation and response efforts as required for internal and external use;
Facilitate substantive linkages between emergency response, preparedness/prevention, rehabilitation and ongoing recovery programmes as well as with other related areas such as human rights, etc.
Support the coordination and development of work around joint resilience building and ‘breaking the cycle;’
Support inter-agency contingency planning efforts, ensuring linkages between various contingency plans, adequate pre-positioning of stocks as required, etc.
Liaise with relevant UN agencies to ensure that cross cutting issues such as HIV/AIDS, gender and environmental concerns are fully reflected in contingency planning, assessment and response;
Maintain contacts with NGOs, UN agencies and donors with the aim of facilitating coordination and consensus building;
Liaise with humanitarian partners including the Department of Disaster Risk Management Affairs, (DODMA) on the collection of information to effectively map areas of humanitarian needs and response activities in support of coordination efforts; and track information required for early warning of potential disaster; this will include support to an inter cluster information management group and regular collection and dissemination of the 4 W’s;
Facilitate the preparation of inter-agency needs assessments and monitoring missions;
Support the UN Resident Coordinators to address short and medium-term strategies for addressing humanitarian needs, such as flash appeal and CERF, as well as mobilization tracking and reporting on the use of resources. In particular all stages in the management of Malawi’s Humanitarian Window;
Assist in matter related to natural disasters, including drafting situation reports and response plan;
Support advocacy initiatives on issues impacting humanitarian needs and response efforts through the collection of information, liaison with humanitarian partners, government officials, and media, development of appropriate strategies, etc;
Establishing and maintaining the basis for intra and inter cluster coordination of information management activities, improving the information flow needed for response coordination and supporting the field reporting system;
Assist in annual planning, reviews and final evaluation of emergency response plans, annual work plans, MVAC evaluations etc.
Perform other duties, as assigned by the UN Resident Coordinator or his/her designate.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Demonstrates and promotes the values of the UN in actions and decisions and acts in accordance with the standard of conduct for international civil servants;
Contributes effectively to team-based activities, working collaboratively and sharing information openly; works effectively with colleagues inside the UN as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals;
Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Remains calm, composed and patient when facing conflict, manages conflict productively, focusing on mutually acceptable solutions;
Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to initiate action;
Actively produces and disseminates new knowledge; creates/contributes to mechanisms to collect and share knowledge;
Actively seeks learning opportunities; demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development;
Proposes innovative ideas and new solutions to work.

Functional Competencies:

Professionalism

Sound knowledge of and exposure to the field of humanitarian assistance, protection and human rights issues;
Ability to identify humanitarian related-issues which require a coordinated UN response;
Good understanding of institutional mandates, policies and guiding principles related to humanitarian affairs and of the institutions of the UN System, in particular the mandate and core humanitarian policies of OCHA.

Planning and organizing

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
Problem solving and action oriented, demonstrated analytical skills;
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.

Communication

Excellent communication (especially writing), negotiation and diplomatic skills;
Positive and constructive attitude.

Teamwork

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment and respects diversity;
Solicits inputs by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
Is willing to learn from others;
Works collaboratively with colleagues and shares knowledge to achieve organizational objectives.

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, sociology, management, international law, studies/relations, public administration, or related area of studies is required

Experience:

Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in humanitarian coordination, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation and development, inter-agency coordination or other related field area;
Technical experience in disaster management is required;
Relevant professional field experience within the UN Common System would be desirable;
Very good knowledge of policies and guidelines related to humanitarian affairs and reforms is desirable.
Strong computer skills (MS Office, Internet, Lotus Notes, Access, PowerPoint);
Excellent knowledge of the local humanitarian context;
Demonstrated knowledge on information management system.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English.