Assistant Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Access (Nationals Only) - UNOCHA

Background

This position is 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.

The position of Assistant Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Access is based in Dnipro (the duty station may be subject to change, as the operational situation in the country evolves), Ukraine. Under the overall supervision of the head of humanitarian access and civil military coordination unit, the incumbent reports to the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Access & Civil-Military Coordination (CMCOORD).

Under the overall guidance of the HAO/Access-CMCoord, the Assistant Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Access will provide support to the key workstreams of the access & civil-military coordination unit: 

• Monitoring and analysis of incidents impacting humanitarian staff and organisations.
• Processing and quality-check of the preparation of joint missions and convoys (Conops, security clearances, etc.).
• Processing humanitarian notifications (HNS) and liaising with HNS users and stakeholders.
• Support to Humanitarian Operational Coordination Groups (HOCG) and inter-agency convoys planning and preparation.
• Support to the humanitarian access working group (planning of meetings, follow-up on action points, inputs for notes and briefings).

She/He will contribute to provide technical advice and analytical support to the unit and to humanitarian partners. The incumbent will ensure a high quality of work, through accurate, timely and properly recorded/documented service delivery. The incumbent will be required to perform his/her duties without minimal supervision and promote a client, quality and results-oriented approach.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Assistant HAO/Access will be responsible for the following duties:

Support to the Access Monitoring and Reporting Framework (AMRF):

• Monitoring and analysis of incidents impacting humanitarian staff and organisations, processing data-entry of incidents;
• Contributing to provide guidance on the use of AMRF;
• Maintaining the AMRF database and promoting the use of AMRF among humanitarian partners;
• Provide analysis and advice on access trends, emerging issues.

Support to operations (joint assessment missions and convoys):

• Assist in supporting the Humanitarian Operational Coordination Group (HOCG) and planning of inter-agency convoys and assessment
• Processing and quality-check of the preparation of joint missions and convoys (Conops, security clearances, etc.).

Contribute to liaison and civil-military coordination:

• Processing humanitarian notifications (HNS) and liaising with HNS users and key humanitarian and military/internal security stakeholders;
• Contributing to provide technical guidance and training on the use of HNS;
• Analysing trends and issues in the use and processing of HNS.

Access analysis and advocacy:

• Supports the HAO/Access-CMCoord on the humanitarian access working group (planning of meetings, follow-up on action points, inputs for notes and briefings);
• Contributes to the preparation of policy, position papers and reports on humanitarian access issues for presentation – including scenario planning, contingency planning, thematic analysis, etc. - to various agencies throughout the UN system and NGO partners. Contributes to the Office regular reporting on humanitarian access’ issues;
• Supports the HAO/Access-CMCoord in facilitating the development of awareness-raising and training materials and conduct trainings on access including on negotiations with humanitarian organizations on the ground and other relevant non‑humanitarian actors;
• Supports development of OCHA access products (e.g. snapshot, maps, reports, etc.)  and ensures coherence and consistency in the development and implementation of internal access initiatives, products and key messages;

Focal point on security:

• Act as main focal point with UNDSS on security and safety mattersunder the guidance of the HAO/Access-CMCoord;
• Participate in area East security cell;
• Provide guidance on OCHA participation and inputs to the UN area security management team East (ASMT). 
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Functional Competencies: 

Professionalism

• Shows pride in work and in achievements 
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results 
• Motivated by professional rather than personal concerns
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges 
• Remains calm in stressful situations

Accountability

•  Takes ownership for all responsibilities and honours commitments
•  Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
•  Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.
• Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments.
• Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

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

• Research potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct, and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Establishes, builds, and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients
• Actively supports the interests of the client by making choices and setting priorities to meet their needs
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or other related fields. 
• Bachelor`s degree with 2 additional years of relevant experience can be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• 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 progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, or other related area is required.
• Experience in humanitarian access/negotiations, security management, or relevant experience in major humanitarian support operations is desirable. 
• Experience in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable.
• Good knowledge of social, political, and economic conditions in the region is desirable. 
• Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN Common System or other comparable national or international organization is desirable.
• Proficiency in use of word processors, spreadsheet, presentation tool, online database (intermediary/advanced level required).

Language:

• Fluency in English and Ukrainian (written and spoken) is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNOCHA 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. 

UNOCHA 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

UNOCHA 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 UNOCHA fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNOCHA 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

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 description, experience and educational requirements.

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