Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Nationals Only)

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:  

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is 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 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.

This post forms part of the OCHA Humanitarian Advisory Teams (HAT) in Central Asia and South Caucasus based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and works under the overall supervision of the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD) and reports to a Humanitarian Affairs Officer at the Europe, Latin America, Caribbean, Asia and Pacific Branch of the OAD. The national Humanitarian Affairs Officer (HAO) also works under the guidance of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UN RC) in Kyrgyzstan (on Kyrgyzstan-related issues) and provides support and closely interacts with the UN RC in Turkmenistan (on Turkmenistan-related issues) and the UN RC in Kazakhstan (on Kazakhstan-related issues). S/he will receive technical and substantive support and guidance from OCHA HQ in performing her/his functions. The OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) in Bangkok will provide administrative and technical support. This position provides the essential interface between the UN system, members of the NGO community and national disaster management authorities. The HAT will be based in the UN RC’s Office in Kyrgyzstan and undertake missions to Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan as per agreed country work plans.

The HAT will work in close collaboration with OCHA HQ, in a common effort to identify, prioritize and help address humanitarian needs arising from both slow and sudden-onset emergencies.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Provide support to the RCs and OCHA in emergency response preparedness and emergency response.
• Provide support to the Disaster Response Coordination Unit & Humanitarian Country Teams (DRCU&HCT) / humanitarian community and governments in the respective countries, particularly in strengthening their disaster response capacities.
• Facilitate the creation of strategic partnerships.

Responsibilities:

Within limited delegated authority, the national Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Surge and Response

• Monitor the situation in three countries of the region, with particular relevance to vulnerability and early warning indicators for any natural or man-made disasters.
• Support the work of country specific humanitarian coordination mechanisms (i.e. HCT-like structures, clusters/sector working groups, etc.) at national and sub-national levels as required ensuring application of the coordination mechanisms and lines of action defined in the Inter-Agency Contingency Plans.
• Facilitate coordination of national and international humanitarian assistance among partners.
• Ensure Government – DRCU/HCT effective cooperation defining and promoting national counterparts’ involvement in the application of cluster-based coordination model.
• Support the OCHA coordination and response through the application of the humanitarian programme cycle, including collective response planning (i.e. needs assessments, humanitarian needs overview, humanitarian response plan, flash appeals, etc.) when required and in close collaboration with national authorities.
• Advise UN RCs on triggering the international relief system, facilitate the deployment and reception of UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Teams/OCHA missions.
• Supports the RC/HCs in preparing the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) proposals and CERF reports for the country whenever required.
• Ensure the creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of inter-agency resource mobilization strategies in support of immediate emergency response.
• Support the dissemination of relevant information to the in-country donor community as appropriate.
• Report as required on major events with humanitarian scope and in line with OCHA reporting needs, incorporating a protection, gender-based violence (GBV) and accountability to affected population lens.
• Ensure preparation of situation reports following any new emergency situations.
• Undertake surge deployments in response to emergencies as required.

Preparedness

• Work closely with existing country development strategies with the aim of inclusion emergency preparedness measures; support implementation of emergency response preparedness components of national strategies on disaster risk management where they exist.
• Support UN RCs in her/his role of DRCU / HCT Chair by providing secretariat support.
• Ensure DRCU / HCT performance through timely planning and implementation as well as ensure a constant information flow between the national DM authorities and the UN RC on disaster related information and DRCU / HCT operations.
• Join the UNCT efforts in facilitating implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relevant to each country through advocating for emergency preparedness as an instrument for sustainable development.   
• Advocate and create awareness in the country, with UN agencies, NGOs, government authorities, local media and civil society on broader humanitarian issues, including on the various international and local tools, services and mechanisms available for emergency response and response preparedness. 
• Promote the introduction and adherence to internationally accepted principles, rule of conduct and standards for humanitarian action (UN model Customs Agreement, International Disaster Response Law (IDRL), etc.).
• Promote and facilitate as required Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan Governments’ efforts in joining the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) network.
• Advocate for and ensure elaboration and regular update of inter-agency emergency response preparedness including DRCU / HCT inter-agency contingency plans (IACP) in accordance with ERP guidelines, facilitate the testing of the same through simulations, as required.
• Liaise with government authorities, in particular with national emergency management authorities, on information-sharing, capacity building and any other support that might be required.
• Identify training needs of humanitarian partners and the Government in the field of emergency response preparedness and emergency response widely utilizing web-based learning opportunities.
• Ensure circulation of relevant early warning information amongst NGOs and UN partners; ensure coordination of preparedness activities in response to this information.
• In case of an impending emergency, alert the UN RC and DRCU / HCT and advise on the steps that need to be taken.
• Support and facilitate the functioning of the Information Management (IM) Working Group in Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan if/when established.
• Provide support to OCHA on regional data preparedness, risk/vulnerability mapping, assessments and early warning by facilitating the OCHA IM team missions and initiatives in Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, ensuring their permanent contacts with relevant in-country state and non-state partners, assisting in conducting regional and country workshops where relevant.

Partnerships 

• Contribute to the dialogue and cooperation between OCHA and regional partners.
• Contribute to communication of OCHA’s priorities and policies in support of the humanitarian response in specific contexts to host governments and in-country regional / international organizations.
• Support the host government in ensuring principled use of military and civil defense assets in support of humanitarian action. Support humanitarian advocacy and resource mobilization efforts in the region as well as engagement with INSARAG and UNDAC networks. Any other matters as requested by OCHA HQ.

In addition to the above responsibilities, the HAT will carry out other related tasks as assigned by the UN RC in consultation with OCHA and/or OCHA HQs.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of organizational information infrastructure, including hardware, software and application systems. Knowledge of relevant programming language(s) and ability to use programming skills to develop information systems. Knowledge of system development workflow and document flow processes, ability to conduct research and gather information from a wide variety of standard and non-standard sources. Ability to respond to changing requirements and assignments, ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ 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.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively, listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and respond appropriately. Asks questions and exhibits interest in having two-ways communication, tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience, demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, identifies priority activities and assignments, adjusts priorities as required, 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.

Qualifications

Education: An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in social science, public policy, politics, economics, development studies, international affairs or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with four (4) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:                                                                     

• A minimum of two years (2) years (master’s degree) or 4 years (First-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in humanitariancoordination, disaster management/emergency response, liaising with stakeholders, and/or any related field is required.
• Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN common system or in a comparable international organization is desirable.
• Good organizational, communication and inter-personal skills, and ability to build and manage partnerships.
• Humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is required.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of Kyrgyz and Russian is required.

Other Skills: 

• Proven abilities in data collection, compilation, analysis and reporting with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and effective oral communication.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work under pressure to tight deadlines.
• Ability to work with multi-cultural teams and international professionals.
• Availability and fitness for travel, including on short notice. 
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web-based management systems.