Jobs - 71120- Junior Professional Officer (JPO), Humanitarian Af

Junior Professional Officer (JPO), Humanitarian Affaris (Kuwaiti Nationals Only)

Location :

Geneva, SWITZERLAND

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

14-Apr-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-2

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 Year (extendable)

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 Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) was established in 1992 in response to General Assembly resolution 46/182 calling for strengthened coordination of humanitarian assistance. The IASC is a unique inter-agency forum for humanitarian dialogue and decision making that brings together a range of UN and non-UN humanitarian partners. Through interaction among main humanitarian actors, the IASC ensures greater coherence among the humanitarian community.

The IASC is composed as follows:

Full members

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
World Food Programme (WFP)
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Standing Invitees

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Office of the RSG on the Human Rights of IDPs
International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
World Bank
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC)
American Council for Voluntary International Action (InterAction, more than 160 members)
International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA, 75 members)
Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR, 8 large non-governmental organizations)

For 2016 and 2017, the priorities of the IASC Working Group are as follows:

Effective Response to Emergencies and Protracted Crises,
Accountability and Inclusivity
Displacement and Protection Outcomes
Financing.

IASC Task Teams have been established to work on:

Accountability to Affected Populations and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Humanitarian Financing
Protracted Displacements
Protection Priority: Global Protection Cluster
Strengthening the Humanitarian/Development Nexus with a Focus on Protracted Contexts

There are also IASC reference groups (communities of practice) on three topics:

Gender and Humanitarian Action
Risk, Early Warning and Preparedness
Meeting Humanitarian Challenges in Urban Areas,
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
Principled Humanitarian Action
Protracted Displacements

More information about the IASC and the Transformative Agenda can be found at https://interagencystandingcommittee.org
facebook.com/FriendsofIASC

Duties and Responsibilities

The JPO , under the supervision of the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will undertake the following duties:

IASC Events:

Organize IASC events. This includes cultivating a network of NGO and agency contacts and liaising with Geneva-based IASC organizations to identify speakers and topics that are highly relevant to the humanitarian agenda.

IASC Subsidiary Bodies:

Work towards improved effectiveness of the inter-agency consultation processes within the framework of the IASC by monitoring the work of the IASC Subsidiary Bodies covering various humanitarian policy issues.

IASC News:

Support the “communications and public information function of the IASC Secretariat”. This includes also drafting, preparing and forwarding the IASC News to the IASC partners.

IASC Website:

Help the Website Editor to maintain and develop the IASC Website to ensure its continued relevance as the primary information portal on the work of the IASC.

Other General Duties:

Assist in all aspects of preparatory and follow-up action for the IASC Principals and IASC Working Group meetings. This will include drafting and reviewing of summary record and action points, and assisting in the preparation of the background documents for the meetings in a timely manner.
Develop and implement effective dissemination strategies for ensuring wide awareness and application of policies and guidelines developed by the IASC.
Strengthen and systematically monitor the follow-up to the decisions and action points of the IASC. This includes liaising with subject experts to collect information on status of implementation of IASC decisions and preparing reports for the IASC.
Support the IASC Secretariat daily business and management.

Competencies

Professionalism: Strong analytical capacity, strong research skills, including ability to evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Commitment to Continuous Learning: Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field.
Communications: Exemplary communication (spoken and written) skills in English, including the ability to draft and edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style.
Planning and Organizing: Ability to plan own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.
Technology awareness: Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, internal databases, Internet, etc.
Teamwork: Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Learning Elements
On completion of the assignment, the JPO will have/be able to

Understand the mandates of different humanitarian organizations and IASC Subsidiary Bodies.
Understand the different elements of inter-agency coordination
Develop strategies to operationalize policies and guidelines
Prepare concise background documents with clear expected outcomes
Write action oriented summary records and minutes of the meetings
Organise high-level inter-agency events
Describe the key humanitarian policy and operational issues in current emergencies
Establish a monitoring system to track follow-up to decisions
Establish working relationships and partnerships with colleagues from 18 organizations listed below.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
Advanced university degree preferably in humanitarian affairs, political science, sociology, international relations, management, communications, public administration, economics, law or other relevant field.

Work experience:
At least two years of professional experience in humanitarian affairs, management consulting, public information, gender issues, emergency management, rehabilitation and development, international policy and advocacy, event management, or other related area is required.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is essential; good knowledge of French is an advantage

Other skills:
Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system, familiarity with humanitarian principles and practices and relevant experience at both UN headquarters and in UN field operations is desirable. Proven aptitude for representation, advocacy and liaison on a range of international policy issues is also a plus. Good computer skills required.

Disclaimer:

The above position with the UN Secretariat is open in the context of the Junior Programme Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of Kuwait and addressed exclusively to candidates with Kuwaiti citizenship.