The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) – With its partners, OCHA contributes to principled and effective humanitarian response through coordination, advocacy, policy, information management and humanitarian financing tools and services. OCHA’s country and regional offices are responsible for delivering the core functions in the field by leveraging functional expertise throughout the organization.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Pooled Fund Manager, P3
Job Opening Number: 22-Humanitarian Affairs-OCHA-192766-R- (X)
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Department/Office: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Organizational Setting and Reporting
- The position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), 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 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 position-specific job opening is being advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Pooled Fund Manager in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Head of Office (DHoO), OCHA Nigeria, the incumbent reports to the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit/Pooled Fund Manager.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Pooled Fund Manager will be responsible for the following duties:
Fund Management and Coordination:
- Under the supervision of the DHoO, support and advise the HC on the overall management of the Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF) vis-à-vis the humanitarian context (i.e., priorities and critical needs).
- Ensure the overall administration of the Fund and liaise as necessary with relevant OCHA HQ sections.
- Support and implement standardized policy in line with HQ guidance and decisions.
- Manage and supervise Fund-related support staff.
- Manage fund allocation processes ensuring necessary coordination with relevant counterparts in line with the Terms of Reference and/or allocation guidelines (i.e., Review and/or Advisory Boards, cluster or sector leads, humanitarian organizations, and OCHA).
- Liaise with NGOs, UN partners as well as clusters and OCHA field offices to follow-up on project progress and overall Fund progress.
- Conduct periodic field visits to promote the knowledge and support the appropriate use of the Fund in line with its Terms of Reference, field visits should focus on key actors (i.e. OCHA field colleagues, recipient organizations, local governments, communities).
- Ensure proper communication and support during the allocation process to all stakeholders.
- Liaise with and provide necessary support to recipient organizations of the Fund throughout the life-cycle of the projects, promoting coherence between humanitarian needs and response.
- Advise the HC, recipient organizations and stakeholders on measures to mitigate foreseeable operational risks.
- Ensure recipient organizations compliance with financial rules applicable to the Fund.
- Ensure coordination and information exchange with humanitarian donors aiming to promote coordinated and complementary use of funds.
Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation:
- Ensure compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements in place for the Fund.
- Systematically provide information on project status to the HoO and the HC, donors and relevant governing bodies of the Fund.
- Ensure timely overall project reporting, including acting as the lead for the pooled fund annual report exercise.
- Assist in the preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies in consultation with relevant HQ sections.
Analysis, communications and public information:
- Research, analyze and present humanitarian financing information, in particular funding trends and requirements, gathered from diverse sources.
- Assist in policy development, including the review and analysis of humanitarian issues and funding trends at the country level, ensuring proper coordination with relevant HQ sections.
- In collaboration with other OCHA units and field offices, as well as with support from relevant OCHA HQ sections, document and disseminate results, best practices and results of the Fund across internal and broader audiences through information and communication products/pieces (i.e., bulletins, feature stories, photographs/videos, websites, etc.).
- Liaise with OCHA field offices and recipient organizations in order to disseminate full information on Fund activities.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the OCHA Head of Office.
Job Requirements
Education:
- An Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Social Science, International Studies, Public Administration, Economics, Engineering, Earth Aciences 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.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, project management, budget management, or related area is required.
- 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 desirable.
- Experience in project management or supervision is desirable.
- Experience in the design of policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance is desirable.
- Experience of working in humanitarian financing with NGOs (e.g. grant management, fundraising, or donor relations for humanitarian programmes), is desirable.
- Experience in project monitoring, evaluation, and/or risk management is desirable.
Languages:
- French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Assessment:
- Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Competencies
Professionalism:
- Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance and related humanitarian issues.
- Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.
- Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.
- Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g., civil strife, natural disasters, and human misery).
- 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.
- Ability to draft public reports for humanitarian stakeholders.
Planning and 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.
Accountability:
- Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments
- Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards
- Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments
- Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Application Closing Date
9th November, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. (New York time).
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Special Notice
- This position is funded for a finite period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-general and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
- The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for these positions. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
- External candidates (including OCHA temporary appointees and OCHA national field staff) who are selected for a position in field duty stations may be strategically placed on a fixed term appointment limited to a specific position or to a specific country office in accordance with paragraph 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on the administration of fixed-term appointment which provides that an FTA may be granted to individuals who are “(b ) Selected but not reviewed by a Secretariat review body for appointments limited to specific entities”.