Background
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of the Ankara Liaison Office, the National Humanitarian Affairs Officer (NHAO) analyzes political, social and economic trends and participates in the formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within a portfolio.
The NHAO works in close collaboration with the OCHA Turkey management and coordination teams, NGOs, programme staff in other UN Agencies and OCHA HQ staff. The incumbent will work as part of the Coordination Unit and have a key role in supporting inter-sector coordination and the Humanitarian Programme Cycle for cross-border operations of NGOs and UN agencies into Syria.
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the detailed Job Description and apply through www.tr.undp.org. Please fill the UN Personal History Form (P11) along with your CV as a single document. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No telephone and/or e-mail inquiry will be responded.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the OCHA Turkey Head of Coordination Unit and under the day-to-day guidance of the OCHA Turkey Head of Ankara Liaison Office, the incumbent is expected to perform the following tasks:
- Assist in the development and implementation of the humanitarian coordination strategy and policy;
- Support the situation analysis in Turkey on cross-border operations via monitoring media and other relevant sources of information and inform the management regularly on key developments that are relevant to cross-border operations.
- Support UN cross-border shipments under UN Security Council Resolutions 2332.
- Maintain a large network of contacts within UN and NGO counterparts to understand issues in cross-border programming and facilitate their resolution.
- Maintain regular contacts with Government of Turkey authorities at the local and national level to report on UN and NGO cross-border activities and to support smooth functioning thereof.
- Serve as a focal point in liaising with the Logistics Cluster and the UN Monitoring Mechanism (UNMM) and in maintaining the database and processes for UN cross-border shipment notification and NGO cross-border shipments, tracking and verification.
- Organize, participate and/or assist in organizing working groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
- Serve as a focal point for Cash Based Response Working Group and participate in meetings, provide read-outs and inform the management about key issues and developments.
- Perform any other duties assigned by supervisor.
Assist the OCHA Office in Turkey in ensuring that the UN cross-border shipment processes and operations are timely conducted and identifying significant humanitarian issues and developing innovative suggestions and approaches to problem solving. Help meet organizational objectives and provide sound analytical inputs and support to the coordination of humanitarian action.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
Results-Based Response Development and Management
Level 1.2: Contributes into results through primary research and analysis
- Assesses performance of the humanitarian response to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into response mechanisms
- Monitor and evaluate humanitarian response in order to bridge the gaps in coordination and information management
Building Strategic Partnerships
Level 1.2: Maintaining a network of contacts
- Maintains an established network of contacts and build effective partnerships with wider humanitarian counterparts, for well coordinated humanitarian response and sound information management
- Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
Level 1.2: Fundamental knowledge of own discipline
- Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
- Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
- Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
- Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
Client Orientation
Level 1.2: Establishing effective client relationships
- Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion
- Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
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
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in political or social sciences or related field.
Experience:
- 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in humanitarian affairs, emergency relief management or development work. Former working experience on the Syria crisis and humanitarian assistance to Syria or work experience with a UN agency or NGO providing assistance to Syria is required.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English and Turkish are required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset..
Other skills
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web based management systems.
- Proven abilities in data collection, compilation, analysis and reporting with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and effective oral communication;
- Proven skills in conducting and participating in meetings and reporting thereof.
- Ability to prioritise multiple tasks within an environment where many interruptions occur.
- Ability to work with multi-cultural teams and international professionals;
- Availability and fitness for travel;
- Ability to work under pressure.