Org. Setting and Reporting
These positions are located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). 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 position-specific job opening is being published for the positions of Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer in Kyiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Lviv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Donetsk, Ukraine (the duty station may be subject to change, as the operational situation in the country evolves). Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Head of Office, the incumbents report to the HAO/Head of Sub Office or HAO/Head of Unit.
Responsibilities
Within limits of delegated authority and depending on location, the Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer at this level may be responsible for the following duties:
Ensures implementation of programme strategies: • Monitors, analyzes and reports on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, particularly in the provinces where a deteriorating humanitarian situation is reported due to insecurity/violence, climatic shocks, etc. • Supports the development and implementation of a strategic approach to managing information around the humanitarian programme cycle (HPC), including supporting common information processes such as preparedness, needs assessment, strategic planning, resource mobilization, implementation, and monitoring.
Participates in effective management of the OCHA Country Office: • Provides secretariat support to the national Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and Inter-Agency Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG), including drafting preparing agendas and invitations, drafting of preparatory documents and presentation, drafting of minutes and follow-up on agreed action points, in close consultation with the supervisor. • Supports the supervisor in strategic and operational coordination of the Humanitarian Response Plan for Ukraine through reporting, analysis, monitoring and evaluation, including through soliciting and consolidating necessary inputs from relevant partners and stakeholders, and preparing information products on needs, response, and gaps. • Collects and maintains primary data and information on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, that are required internally and externally to support decision-making. • Supports strategic and operational decision-making by processing and analyzing data and information and presenting it in user-friendly formats (e.g., situation reports, maps, etc.).
Provides effective humanitarian coordination: • In collaboration with humanitarian partners, ensures the collection and analysis of best practices and lessons learned related to the latest humanitarian responses in the country (i.e., Humanitarian Response Plan for Ukraine). • Supports the implementation of the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Evaluation in-country recommendations, in close collaboration with AHCT/ICCG partners, national and provincial authorities, stakeholders, CSOs, etc. • Designs, develops and manages databases, spreadsheets, and other data tools; understands, document, and ensures the quality of high-value humanitarian data for accuracy, consistency and comparability; consolidates operational information on a regular schedule to support analysis. • Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports and information management products, including documents and communications on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, situation reports, talking points, 5W updates, as well as donor reports, supporting reporting as well as corporate outreach and advocacy. • Actively liaises with relevant national and provincial authorities (Governments of Ukraine, INGD, INAM, etc.), OCHA Ukraine – Sub-offices, and humanitarian partners to triangulate humanitarian information and effectively identify and map humanitarian needs and response activities in assigned areas.
Participates in effective information management: • Tracks information required for early warning of potential humanitarian emergencies in the country and as appropriate promote preparedness measures. • Prepares briefing materials and presentations providing up-to-date analysis on trends and developments on the humanitarian situation in assigned areas.
Provides top quality advisory services to the partners and facilitation of knowledge building and management: • Maintains a network of contacts among key partners and stakeholders, including national and international NGOs, Red Cross Movement, national and provincial authorities, and the humanitarian community. • Provides frontline surge in response to new emergencies, the escalation of existing emergencies and/or to fill critical gaps.
Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian 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 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.
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 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.
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.
Education
An 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.
Work Experience
A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, or other related area is required.
Experience in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable.
Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is desirable.
Languages
French and English are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For these positions advertised, fluency in English and Ukrainian, (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of Russian is desirable.
Assessment
The evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
These positions are 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. The contract will be administered by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of OCHA.
Appointment against these posts are on a local basis. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country, where these positions are located (limited to Ukrainian nationals).
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 this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
Please note that the duty stations within Ukraine may be subject to change depending on the evolving operational situation in-country.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.