Organizational Setting and Reporting:

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHis part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures 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.

This positionspecific job opening is being advertised for the position of National Humanitarian Affairs Officer (NOin the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, Amman, Jordan. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, the incumbents report to the Humanitarian Affairs Officer (P4) within the Coordination and Operations Unit.

Responsibilities: 

Within delegated authority, the National Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for supporting the overall coordination of humanitarian response in the Middle East region, with a focus on planning and humanitarian response in Syria. In particular, the HAO will perform the following duties:

Provide support to the Humanitarian Program Cycle (HP 

• In consultation with the International Humanitarian Affairs Officer, assist in the preparation and monitoring of the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNand Humanitarian Response Plan (HR.
• contribute to compiling sectors’ contributions and feedback to regular reporting and HPCrelated documents; HPC drafting capacity; and other technical assistance (e.g. Cash and Accountability to Affected Populatio.
• Closely liaise with the CashCap for MENA and the Cash expert at ROMENA, for the Cash components at the Syria HRP and prepare relevant reports accordingly.
• Closely liaise with the Information Management unit on the outcomes of the Information Management working group to extract key action points that need followup with sectors.
• Supports the assessment of the needs phase of the HPC, closely works with the relevant partners to design the questionnaire, and consults the sectors as needed.
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues.

Ensures facilitation of information sharing among partners:

• Proactively shares information with OCHA and relevant stakeholders on pertinent issues.
• Coordinates with relevant stakeholders to create and maintain humanitarian access.
• Develops and maintains reference/resource information on specific topics or policyrelated issues; responds to various inquiries and information requests internally and externally.
• Assists in the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, work shops, etc. with other agencies and partners to facilitate exchanges of professional expertise and views on specific humanitarianrelated subjects/issues; serves as reporter to such events.

Ensures proper monitoring and reporting:

• Supports the collection of field information to monitor and improve ongoing response, coordination activities, and information products.
• Prepares brief reports on the key humanitarian issues in countries in the region.
• Supports the drafting of Endofyear HRP reports and liaises with sectors to compile their contributions and achievements.
• Contributes to the preparation of various written documents, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents etc.

Data Analysis

• Supports the development of/ proposes the content for spreadsheets and other data tools; documents and ensures the quality of highvalue humanitarian data for accuracy, consistency, and comparability; supports the consolidation of operational information on a regular schedule to support analysis.

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, and on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g., civil strife, natural disasters, and human miser. Shows pride in work and 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.
• TEAMWORK:  Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with a final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• 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 twoway communication; tailors’ language, tone, style, and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Education: 

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalenin political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, or a related field is required.

A firstlevel 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 Qualifications

Work Experience:          

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalenin a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalenare required to have a minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, or other related areas is required.
• Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN Common System or other comparable international organizations is required.
• Experience in supporting interagency/ intersector coordination efforts is required.
• Experience in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disasteis desirable.
• Experience in needs assessments including data collection, compilation, analysis, and reporting is desirable.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• For this position advertised, fluency in English and Arabic is required.