Apply: United Nations OCHA Head of Office, Humanitarian Affairs

By Isaac Ajala
September 30, 2024

Deadline: 05 October, 2024

Location: South Sudan

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is seeking to fill the position of the Head of Office, Humanitarian Affairs.

The UN OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.

Responsibilities

Serve as senior policy advisor to the UN DSRSG/RC/HC, the UN country team (UNCT) and the humanitarian country team (HCT) on humanitarian principles and initiatives
Develop and maintain contacts with the international community in order to raise awareness and advocate for issues of humanitarian concerns
Act to strengthen cooperation among the humanitarian community on policy issues of inter-agency concern and serve as a key interlocutor with relevant government partners
Advise, promote and provide guidance to the UN RC/HC, the UNCT and the HCT on humanitarian reforms initiatives including cluster coordination, humanitarian financing, etc
Provide strategic support to the UN RC/HC in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the work plan of the humanitarian community, soliciting and negotiating inputs with relevant authorities, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), etc
Consult on a regular basis with the RC/HC, heads of UN agencies and programmes, NGOs heads of mission, the government and the donor community on all appropriate aspects of the implementation and delivery of humanitarian activities, to ensure that coordination structures at local, provincial and national levels operate in a coherent and cost-effective manner
Support the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of humanitarian programmes, facilitating incorporation of lessons learned, policy guidelines etc. into humanitarian response activities
Promote best practices in humanitarian planning, response and evaluation
Facilitate inter-agency resource mobilisation efforts, including the provision of specialised international assistance to respond to ongoing as well as new and /or emerging emergencies
Develop, reinforce and maintain effective coordination mechanisms with the humanitarian county team and other key humanitarian stakeholders
Establish/manage information management systems to effectively map areas of humanitarian needs and response activities in support of coordination efforts
Foster and reinforce linkages between field monitoring, information management and coordination efforts
Ensure timely and appropriate assistance to the UN RC/HC and the HCT in response to disasters and emergencies
Support inter-agency efforts to build in-country UN capacity to manage natural disaster response
Provide substantive support and leadership to government institutions and local humanitarian entities to build national capacity for emergency and/or disaster management
Promote dialogue, regional alliances, sharing of knowledge and resources, among national and, as appropriate, regional humanitarian actors in disaster risk reduction, disaster/emergency preparedness and response
Promote and lead contingency planning processes as applicable
Develop joint initiatives on disaster management with other UN and (if applicable) regional actors, including early warning mechanisms
Under the overall guidance of the director of the OAD and in partnership with other branches of OCHA, work to reinforce regional networks and mechanisms for swift, effective response to emerging humanitarian situations
Serve as the OCHA head of office in designated duty station, providing oversight of all programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the efficient functioning of the OCHA office and any sub-offices, and being accountable for the use of resources and for the results obtained
Lead work planning and budgeting process, support resource mobilization and ensure sound financial management
Ensure regular and effective supervision of OCHA staff, particularly by leading, managing, developing, and training staff
Foster teamwork and communication amongst staff and strengthen linkages between the staff in field, regional and headquarters offices
Promote OCHA’s mandate, objectives and tools in the designated area through contacts with the government, diplomatic missions, UN entities, non-governmental organisations and the media
Ensure the office produces timely, high-quality outputs including comprehensive workplans, concise and factual situation reports, analytical papers, comprehensive and fact-based information products, etc
Perform other duties as requested by the UN DSRSG/RC/HC and / or director of OAD

Requirements

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Social Science, International Studies, Public Administration or Management, Economics, Engineering, Earth Sciences or a related field (first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree)
15 years, minimum, of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area
Management experience in humanitarian operations at senior level
Five years, minimum, of humanitarian experience at the international level in the field
Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN common system or other comparable international organisation desirable
Experience in the eastern/southern Africa region desirable
Fluency in English (knowledge of another UN official language desirable)
Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance and related humanitarian issues
Ability to identify issues, analyse 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 judgement 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)