Field Humanitarian Associate

Background

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Mozambique plays a critical role in ensuring effective and principled humanitarian action for people affected by crises. The Field Coordination Unit supports OCHA’s mandate by strengthening inclusive localization approaches, facilitating effective coordination, and enhancing preparedness and response capacities in humanitarian hotspots. Key priorities of the Unit include enabling field-level coordination mechanisms, supporting evidence-based decision-making through assessments and analysis, and strengthening partnerships with national and local actors to ensure timely, efficient, and inclusive humanitarian assistance delivery.

The Field Humanitarian Associate position is situated within this Unit and contributes directly to its strategic direction. The incumbent is expected to align their work with the Unit’s priorities of advancing localization, strengthening coordination at the district level, and promoting integrated responses across humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding actors. By supporting information gathering, liaison with authorities and partners, and local capacity-building initiatives, the position ensures that OCHA Mozambique’s coordination objectives are translated into tangible results at the community level.

The Field Humanitarian Associate serves as a key focal point for supporting humanitarian coordination and response efforts in Mueda, Muidumbe, Mocímboa da Praia, and Nangade. The role contributes to OCHA’s mandate by facilitating inclusive coordination mechanisms, gathering and analyzing data on humanitarian needs, liaising with local authorities and partners, and supporting engagement with local NGOs as part of the Humanitarian Reset agenda. Positioned at the frontline of operations, the incumbent ensures that OCHA’s strategic priorities are effectively implemented in the field, strengthening humanitarian access, operational effectiveness, and the overall impact of response interventions.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Monitor and analyze humanitarian context and emerging risks.

• Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data on humanitarian, social, and political factors.
• Prepare regular situation updates and reports on the humanitarian situation in assigned districts.

2.) Support needs assessments and information gathering.

• Organize and participate in rapid assessments and monitoring field visits.
• Gather and verify information on the needs of IDPs, host communities, and returnees.

3.) Facilitate field-level coordination and partnerships.

• Maintain regular liaison with district authorities, humanitarian agencies, NGOs, and other actors.
• Convene and facilitate coordination meetings, prepare information packs, and record minutes.

4.) Strengthen local engagement and capacity-building.

• Support the Humanitarian Reset by engaging with local NGOs and conducting orientation sessions on humanitarian principles.
• Map local NGO presence and capacities and facilitate access to learning opportunities.

5.) Support information management and reporting.

• Draft and disseminate meeting minutes, talking points, snapshots, and field visit reports.
• Maintain updated contact lists and operational mapping of humanitarian actors in the area.

Competencies

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Required Skills and Experience

Education

•           Secondary education required.

•           A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in Political or Social Sciences, Law, International

            Studies, Public Administration, or other related field is desirable but not required.

 Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

•           Minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant

             experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief 

             management and/or coordination, including 1 year in field operations in crisis-affected contexts is

             required.

•           Proven knowledge of humanitarian coordination mechanisms, principles, and approaches, with

             experience engaging local authorities, NGOs, and affected communities is required.

•           Proven skills in data collection, analysis, and reporting, with ability to prepare accurate and timely

             situation updates, profiles, and briefing materials is required. 

•           Strong communication, liaison, and facilitation abilities, including experience in convening

             coordination meetings and building effective partnerships is required.

•           Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and

             ability to manage contact databases and operational mapping tools is required.

Language requirements 

•            Fluency in Portuguese and English (required);

•            Knowledge of local languages such as Kiswahili, Makonde, Mwani, and Makua (desirable).

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP 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 UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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