Background
This position is located in the Humanitarian Notification Unit (HNU) of the OCHA Regional Office for Syria Crisis.
OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies and natural disasters. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.
The Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Civil Military Coordination) reports to the Head of the Coordination Unit, and/or the OCHA Deputy Head of Regional Office
Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting
- Monitor, analyze and report on the humanitarian civil-military context and humanitarian notification for deconfliction in Syria.
- Support the preparations of key messages related to notification for deconfliction.
- Organize technical review meetings to support development of the Humanitarian Notification Unit.
- Contribute to the preparation of various written and dashboard, reports, and correspondence.
- Draft and prepare regular situation papers/reports highlighting relevant operational factors affecting the humanitarian situation in Syria.
Coordination
- Provide operational and technical support to hubs in Gaziantep and Damascus
- Ensure regular communication among hubs in support of humanitarian notification for deconfliction.
- Support the preparation of coordination meetings led by OCHA ROSC.
- Establish and maintain contact with relevant UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and if required governmental/military contacts.
- Support the implementation of field-level humanitarian notification and deconfliction coordination mechanisms.
- Assist in the collection of relevant information and liaison with humanitarian partners.
- Liaise with humanitarian partners on the collection of information to effectively map static and dynamic deconfliction and track information required for conflict-related incidents.
- Support lessons learned and evaluation of the Humanitarian Notification Unit.
- Provide secretariat and logistical support meetings related to notification for deconfliction, as well as other internal and external meetings. This includes arranging meetings, workshops, conferences, taking minutes, draft inputs and writing summary reports.
- Collect and disseminate information to humanitarian notification.
- Undertake and support technical missions to support humanitarian partners involved in humanitarian deconfliction.
- Assist in the transmission of deconfliction notifications from UN, INGO, and NNGO partners to military focal points.
- Identify and resolve issues that delay and impede the deconfliction of humanitarian activities.
- Advise humanitarian leadership about the status of the deconfliction mechanism and options to enhance its function in the coordinated response.
- Convene and facilitate trainings with humanitarian partners about deconfliction mechanism.
- Maintain updated list of permanently notified for deconfliction sites in Syria.
Prepare monthly internal analysis about notification for deconfliction activities.
- Develop new tools and procedures to assist in the meeting humanitarian partners’ deconfliction requirements.
Understand and support the sourcing of relevant technology that can support the preparation, processing and transmission of deconfliction notifications.
Other tasks that may be required
- Perform other duties as required.
Competencies
Competencies and Selection Criteria
| Description of Competency at Level Required (For more comprehensive descriptions please see the competency inventory) |
In this section list all core competencies as well as the most relevant technical/functional competencies the role will require along with the appropriate level. A Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through the following link: https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx
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Core |
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Innovation Ability to make new and useful ideas work | Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully |
Leadership Ability to persuade others to follow | Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others |
People Management Ability to improve performance and satisfaction | Level 4: Models independent thinking and action |
Communication Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform | Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis |
Delivery Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement | Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services |
Technical/Functional | Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx and hiring managers are encouraged to familiarize themselves for more information |
Professionalism Proven skills: ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, and recommend appropriate solutions. Very good knowledge of region of assignment, including the cultural, political and economic dimensions. Ability to relate to humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender issues, political, and socio-economic matters. Strong writing skills (reports, meeting notes, proposals, briefing notes, etc.). Strong negotiation skills: ability to lead and gain the assistance of others in a team endeavor, and to articulate coherent arguments to reach agreements. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasions in a highly stressful environment. Very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs, and a sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. | Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise |
Judgement and Decision- making Ability to apply sound judgements to resolve a range of issues/ problems
| Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise |
Technological Awareness Solid computer skills, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet applications, and relevant software packages, including e-mail. | Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise |
Communication Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively, including the ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations, articulating options concisely, conveying maximum information, making and defending recommendations. Excellent communication skills which can drive advocacy and high level communications. | Level 4: apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise |
Teamwork Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to: operate effectively across organizational boundaries; and establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity | Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise |
Planning and Organizing Proven ability to plan and organize, establish priorities, manage and monitor work plans, coordinate competing demands, and work to tight deadlines | Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise |
Competency Name Competency Definition | Choose an item |
Competency Name Competency Definition | Choose an item |
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international relations, political science, law, management, or similar specific field of study is required. A first-level university degree, or military academy degree with advanced training in relevant area, in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
Up to 2 years of relevant professional experience in humanitarian or military affairs, emergency relief management or development work, preferably within the UN. Knowledge of the Syria crisis and the humanitarian assistance provided to Syria is an asset. International military, complex emergency or peacekeeping experience is desirable. Highly IM/database competent.
Language Requirements: Fluency in both English and Arabic is required.