Job Description

Org. Setting and ReportingThe position is located in the Policy Branch (PB) of the Humanitarian Sector Division (HSD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. Within OCHA, Policy Branch is responsible for providing advice, analysis and guidance on policy issues, including on international humanitarian law and other normative frameworks applicable to humanitarian operations (e.g., relevant GA resolutions, sanctions and counterterrorism measures, etc.), humanitarian access and principled humanitarian action, and gender equality programming; supporting intergovernmental processes relevant to UN-coordinated humanitarian action; and leading in the delivery of the Under-Secretary-General/ Emergency Relief Coordinator's responsibilities to the UN Security Council on protection of civilians in armed conflict. This job opening is being advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer based in New York. Under the overall supervision of the Policy Branch Director, the incumbent reports to the Humanitarian Affairs Officer (P4) in Geneva within Policy Branch\u2019s Norms and Principles Section (NPS).

ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: \u2022 Supports the Humanitarian Affairs Officer (P4) based in Geneva in (a) providing policy and technical advice, analysis and guidance on principled humanitarian access and operations, including specifically sanctions, counter-terrorism and other restrictive measures; (b) advising on overall policy direction on specific issues. \u2022 Serves as OCHA\u2019s in-house expert on sanctions, counterterrorism and other restrictive measures, with specific focus on the consequences of these measures on principled humanitarian action, and serves as OCHA focal point for relevant UN and IASC entities, fora or processes. \u2022 Coordinates and partners with other humanitarian agencies on principled humanitarian access and operations \u2013 including humanitarian issues related to sanctions, counterterrorism and other restrictive measures, including by ensuring the secretariat and supporting OCHA\u2019s co-chairmanship of the IASC Community of Practice on Preserving Humanitarian Space. \u2022 Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organizes follow-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues. \u2022 Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes and help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations. \u2022 Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc. \u2022 Undertakes and provides support to technical assistance and other field missions, e.g. participates in field trips to undertake in-depth reviews of specific country coordination mechanisms. \u2022 Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc. \u2022 Serves as the primary focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc., ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues. \u2022 Reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance. \u2022 Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and policy-related matters. \u2022 Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff. \u2022 Performs other duties as required.

CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response. Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned country/area. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be \u201cclients\u201d and seeks to see things from clients\u2019 point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients\u2019 needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients\u2019 environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

EducationAn advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific QualificationNot available.

Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area, is required. Experience in a legal profession, providing legal advice on public or private legal matters (domestic or international), is required. At least two (2) years in the past five (5) years of international field experience (actual setting where a mission or project is being implemented) in aid operations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable. Experience in humanitarian coordination, including the effective management of multi-stakeholders\u2019 processes, is desirable. Experience in providing policy advice and support in drafting policy documents is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details).

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