Humanitarian Affairs Officer-UNOCHA-(Nationals Only)

This position is open to Afghanistan Nationals Only 

BACKGROUND

UNOCHA'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 for the rights of people in need 
• promote preparedness and prevention 
• facilitate sustainable solutions. 

 In December 1991, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 46/182 designed to strengthen the United Nation's response to both complex emergencies and natural disasters. In addition, it aimed at improving the overall effectiveness of the UN's humanitarian operations in the field. 

Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous and most violent, crisis-ridden countries in the world with a continued deepening and geographic spread of the conflict. Violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Human Rights Law (HRL) occur regularly - including targeted killings, forced recruitment, and attacks on health and education facilities. 

At the same time, Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes, flooding, drought, landslides, and avalanches. Over three decades of conflict, coupled with climate change, environmental degradation, and insufficient investment in disaster risk reduction strategies, have contributed to the increasing vulnerability of the Afghan people to cope with the sudden shock of natural disasters and increased risks posed to livelihoods. On average, each year, around 230,000 people are affected by natural disasters. Destruction of shelters, crops, food stocks, and damage to household and community assets such as water and sanitation infrastructure result in the need for emergency support to protect people from the elements. 

The National Humanitarian Affairs Officer (HAO) plays a critical role in strengthening UNOCHA’s humanitarian coordination, disaster preparedness, and response capabilities in the field. Operating in a complex and evolving humanitarian landscape, the HAO works to establish and maintain effective partnerships with the regional humanitarian community and disaster risk management actors. These efforts aim to ensure adequate capacity for planning and responding to humanitarian needs, as well as enhancing contingency planning and coordination mechanisms.

Based in UNOCHA’s Sub-Office in Herat, the position is integral to supporting humanitarian action in the region and across Afghanistan. The HAO must be adaptable and ready to deploy to multiple duty stations as operational needs arise, providing strategic and operational support to ensure a coherent and effective response to humanitarian challenges. Through collaboration, proactive planning, and coordination, the HAO contributes to building resilience and improving the humanitarian system’s responsiveness to crises.

Position Purpose:

Under the guidance of UNOCHA-Afghanistan’s senior management and the supervision of the Head of the respective sub-office, the National Humanitarian Affairs Officer supports emergency preparedness and response, stakeholder liaison, information management, and advocacy to ensure effective humanitarian operations. The HAO facilitates coordination among humanitarian actors, monitors and reports on humanitarian situations, and strengthens collaboration to address needs and enhance response efforts across operational areas.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

Summary of key functions: 

• Monitor and consolidate information on the humanitarian situation, draft regular updates/ reports, and provide reports to OCHA internal and relevant partners for appropriate actions.
• Ensures effective support for the coordination of humanitarian response through fit-for-purpose coordination with the relevant partners and stakeholders in the area of responsibilities (AOR).
• Support to promote and expand principled humanitarian access by engaging with all relevant stakeholders.
• Support emergency preparedness and relief/recovery response through adequate liaison with partners in the field.
• Support OCHA’s role on humanitarian access-related coordination
• Performs other duties that may be required by the supervisor or by the OCHA senior management.

  1.) Monitor and consolidate information on the humanitarian situation, draft regular updates/ reports, and provide reports to OCHA internal and relevant partners for appropriate actions

• Monitor the humanitarian situation within the AOR; gathering and consolidating information from various stakeholders and analyze it to identify trends, challenges, and solutions.
• Prepares internal and external reports on the humanitarian situation, supporting the drafting of updates for senior management as needed.
• Participate in relevant meetings and workshops to ensure the consolidation of information, data, and analyses, fostering effective coordination.
• Undertake regular field trips as necessary to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground.
• (Support joint needs assessment and response as well as contribute to reporting on assessment and response outcome)
• Establish and strengthen relationships with partners and stakeholders in the AOR to enhance coordination, information sharing, trust building, advocacy, and knowledge transfer.

2.) Ensures effective support to coordination of humanitarian response through fit-for-purpose coordination with the relevant partners and stakeholders in the area of responsibilities:

• Support the organization of OCHA-led coordination meetings such as the Area Humanitarian Country Team (AHCT) or Area Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (AICCG) and ad-hoc meetings, including drafting meeting minutes, and following up on the action points.
• (1: contribute to strengthening inclusive coordination; (2) assist to identify gaps and suggest ways to addressing them; (3) stress the importance of gender mainstreaming into programming)
• Support the organization of inter-agency multi-sectoral distribution, prepare all required documents, and plan for a coordinated response.
• represent OCHA in relevant coordination forums in the absence of the head of sub-office
• support advocacy for unhindered access to humanitarian assistance by the affected people
• Establish better connections with partners, including local partners, to promote the localization agenda in the AOR.

3.)  Support to promote and expand principled humanitarian access by engaging all relevant stakeholders:

• Facilitate collective analysis and advocacy on humanitarian access in the AOR.
• Monitor and provide regular internal updates and analysis on the humanitarian environments in the AOR.
• Support the exploration of engagement with all relevant parties to promote and expand principled humanitarian access.
• (work closely with implementing partners, UN security and De facto security personnel to, ensure staff safety and security as well and protection of the affected people)
• Monitor access severity in the AOR and report on challenges or improvements in accessing affected population.
• Participate in and/or facilitate the conduct of access related exercises and report back to the Access Unit.

4.) Support emergency preparedness and relief/recovery response through adequate liaison with partners in the field.

• Support the development of field-level emergency response preparedness/ contingency plan for timely and effective response.
• Facilitate and support the conducting of response preparedness training/workshops/ events in the AOR.
• (support preparedness and response coordination in addition to addressing operational challenges)
• (assist deployment of needs assessment and response teams and contribute to timely reporting in coordination with partners)

5.) Support OCHA’s role on humanitarian access-related coordination

• Assist in the planning and logistical support of coordination meetings, including preparing meeting materials, taking detailed notes, and following up on action items.
• Support senior staff in facilitating dialogue among UN agencies, NGOs, and other humanitarian partners to address and resolve access challenges.

6.) Performs other duties that may be required by the supervisor or by the OCHA senior management:

• Act as Head of Sub-Office in their absence, effectively manage resources and staff to implement the office workplan.
• Assist in petty cash management for the office.
• Participate in preparing safety and security arrangements for staff at the office
• The incumbent performs other duties as may be required by the Head of OCHA Sub-Office or Head of Field Coordination, within the functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Core Competencies: 

• Achieve Results- LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively- LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously- LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback 
• Adapt with Agility-LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. 
• Act with Determination- LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident. 
• Engage and Partner- LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion- LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.
• People Management

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

• Engagement & Effectiveness - Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement-Humanitarian-Development Peace (HDP) Nexus
• Engagement & Effectiveness-Crisis Management / Country Management Support   Humanitarian assessment capacity
• Engagement & Effectiveness-Crisis Management / Country Management Support -Humanitarian inter-agency coordination
• Business Management-Project Management- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Business Direction & Strategy -Strategic Thinking - Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with OCHA’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions 
• Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for OCHA
• Business Management-Mutual Accountability Framework-Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences, or a related field, with experience in the humanitarian context is required. 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience in a humanitarian context will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience in areas of programme management, humanitarian affairs, humanitarian emergencies and communication and reporting is required. 
• Experience in undertaking access negotiations is desirable.
• Experience in humanitarian field supporting, including regional inter-cluster coordination and provincial-level coordination with local authorities in the context of complex emergencies or natural disasters is desirable.
• Experience working in a complex setting that requires sound judgment, and operational flexibility is desirable.
• Experience in a humanitarian context in the UN Common System or other comparable international organizations is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English, Pashto, or Dari is required. 

Applicant information about UNOCHA rosters

UNOCHA reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNOCHA at the same grade level and with similar job descriptions, experience, and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

• UNOCHA has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 
• UNOCHA  is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

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