United Nations Department: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)
Post title and Level: Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Special Assistant (P-3)
Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: Six months (with possibility of extension)
Entry on Duty: As soon as possible
Vacancy Notice number: OCHA/G/63/2012
Deadline for applications: 05 October 2012
United Nations Core Values: INTEGRITY / PROFESSIONALISM / RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
BACKGROUND: The mission of the Programme Support Branch (PSB) is to provide the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), Country Teams, Humanitarian and/or Regional Coordinators (HCs/RCs), UNOCHA and Resident Coordinators Offices (RCOs) with practical, field-driven policies, procedures, tools, and capacity building through training and technical support to enable strengthened and managed Humanitarian Programme Cycles (HCP). It aims to promote a more strategic, better coordinated, strongly evidence-based, and highly consistent HPC that produces measurable results and leads to more accountable, effective and targeted delivery of humanitarian assistance to victims of crises.
ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Special Assistant position is located in the Office of the Chief within the Programme Support Branch (PSB) of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) based in Geneva, Switzerland. Within the limits of delegated authority, under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Branch, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Ensures the smooth, regular flow of information between the Office of the Chief and other units in OCHA, especially between the Offices of the Under-Secretary- General, Assistant Secretary-General, Directors in New York and Geneva, as well as among Branches and Units in Geneva; coordinates Programme Support PSB inputs to requests from other OCHA branches; supports the Chief of Section in developing the Branch strategy and ensures strategic direction and established priorities are followed by sections; serves as primary focal point for overall Branch work and cost planning exercises, ensuring a coordinated approach by PSB sections consistent with Branch strategy; organises and facilitates PSB internal management meetings (Chiefs of Sections meetings, PSB retreats, etc.) by: preparing agendas, writing summaries and ensuring information about decisions taken is disseminated to staff and acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner; monitors and analyses humanitarian developments of relevance to the branch, disseminates to concerned persons within the branch and suggests required follow-up actions as appropriate; serves as focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues of concern to PSB as required; provides information and advice on a range of related issues; closely follows the work of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Working Group (IASC WG) and supports the Chief in his/her role as OCHA Representative, including through preparation of inputs, comments on summary notes, etc; Performs any other duties as assigned by the Chief of the Branch.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Experience in working in the field of international humanitarian assistance with the United Nations system at headquarters and at field level; knowledge of a wide range of humanitarian assistance issues, excellent communication skills, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and external partneres to achieve organisational goals, ability to coordinate a multi-stakeholder process with respect to divergent approaches and norms; 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. 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 two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments - adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary - uses time efficiently.
Qualifications & Experience
EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent) in political or social science, international studies, law or any other relevant field is required; a first-level university degree (i.e. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in one of the above mentioned academic disciplines in combination with qualifying relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.
WORKING EXPERIENCE: A minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience preferably in humanitarian affairs, with two (2) years experience at the international level; experience within the UN system is desirable; field experience in a natural disaster and/or complex emergency is an advantage.
LANGUAGE: For this position fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of another official UN language, French in particular, is an advantage.
Post title and Level: Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Special Assistant (P-3)
Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: Six months (with possibility of extension)
Entry on Duty: As soon as possible
Vacancy Notice number: OCHA/G/63/2012
Deadline for applications: 05 October 2012
United Nations Core Values: INTEGRITY / PROFESSIONALISM / RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
BACKGROUND: The mission of the Programme Support Branch (PSB) is to provide the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), Country Teams, Humanitarian and/or Regional Coordinators (HCs/RCs), UNOCHA and Resident Coordinators Offices (RCOs) with practical, field-driven policies, procedures, tools, and capacity building through training and technical support to enable strengthened and managed Humanitarian Programme Cycles (HCP). It aims to promote a more strategic, better coordinated, strongly evidence-based, and highly consistent HPC that produces measurable results and leads to more accountable, effective and targeted delivery of humanitarian assistance to victims of crises.
ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Special Assistant position is located in the Office of the Chief within the Programme Support Branch (PSB) of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) based in Geneva, Switzerland. Within the limits of delegated authority, under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Branch, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Ensures the smooth, regular flow of information between the Office of the Chief and other units in OCHA, especially between the Offices of the Under-Secretary- General, Assistant Secretary-General, Directors in New York and Geneva, as well as among Branches and Units in Geneva; coordinates Programme Support PSB inputs to requests from other OCHA branches; supports the Chief of Section in developing the Branch strategy and ensures strategic direction and established priorities are followed by sections; serves as primary focal point for overall Branch work and cost planning exercises, ensuring a coordinated approach by PSB sections consistent with Branch strategy; organises and facilitates PSB internal management meetings (Chiefs of Sections meetings, PSB retreats, etc.) by: preparing agendas, writing summaries and ensuring information about decisions taken is disseminated to staff and acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner; monitors and analyses humanitarian developments of relevance to the branch, disseminates to concerned persons within the branch and suggests required follow-up actions as appropriate; serves as focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues of concern to PSB as required; provides information and advice on a range of related issues; closely follows the work of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Working Group (IASC WG) and supports the Chief in his/her role as OCHA Representative, including through preparation of inputs, comments on summary notes, etc; Performs any other duties as assigned by the Chief of the Branch.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Experience in working in the field of international humanitarian assistance with the United Nations system at headquarters and at field level; knowledge of a wide range of humanitarian assistance issues, excellent communication skills, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and external partneres to achieve organisational goals, ability to coordinate a multi-stakeholder process with respect to divergent approaches and norms; 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. 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 two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments - adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary - uses time efficiently.
Qualifications & Experience
EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent) in political or social science, international studies, law or any other relevant field is required; a first-level university degree (i.e. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in one of the above mentioned academic disciplines in combination with qualifying relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.
WORKING EXPERIENCE: A minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience preferably in humanitarian affairs, with two (2) years experience at the international level; experience within the UN system is desirable; field experience in a natural disaster and/or complex emergency is an advantage.
LANGUAGE: For this position fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of another official UN language, French in particular, is an advantage.
How to apply:
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. All posts are subject to availability of funds.
Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions at the same level in other field duty stations.
Upon selection candidates will be subject to satisfactory reference checks to be completed by the recruiting department/office which shall include verification of the highest required academic qualification(s) and record with the last employer.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context all staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Applications from qualified female candidates and from nationals of non- and under-represented countries are particularly encouraged.
How to apply: All applicants are requested to email the following documents to with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org
Please state your full name and the OCHA vacancy notice number (OCHA/G/63/2012) as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every vacancy announcement.
Documents titles should be formatted as follows: LASTNAME_Firstname_ DOCUMENT.
For example: GREEN_Joseph_PHP.doc; GREEN_Joseph_SUPP.doc; GREEN_Joseph_SPIF.doc; GREEN_Joseph_PAS.doc and; GREEN_Joseph_COVERLETTER.doc.
Note that an applicants’ eligibility cannot be fully assessed if the standard United Nations recruitment documents are not submitted or properly completed i.e. Personal History profile and Supplementary Sheet.
All Application Forms can be found by clicking on the following link: http://ocha.unog.ch/OCHAvacancies/
All applicants are encouraged to subscribe to, create profile, and apply to job openings on Inspira. The personal history profile that is generated from Inspira can also be used to apply to temporary vacancy announcements within the United Nations Common System.
"The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees). Also, the United Nations does not concern itself with information on bank accounts".
Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions at the same level in other field duty stations.
Upon selection candidates will be subject to satisfactory reference checks to be completed by the recruiting department/office which shall include verification of the highest required academic qualification(s) and record with the last employer.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context all staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Applications from qualified female candidates and from nationals of non- and under-represented countries are particularly encouraged.
How to apply: All applicants are requested to email the following documents to with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org
Please state your full name and the OCHA vacancy notice number (OCHA/G/63/2012) as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every vacancy announcement.
Documents titles should be formatted as follows: LASTNAME_Firstname_ DOCUMENT.
For example: GREEN_Joseph_PHP.doc; GREEN_Joseph_SUPP.doc; GREEN_Joseph_SPIF.doc; GREEN_Joseph_PAS.doc and; GREEN_Joseph_COVERLETTER.doc.
Note that an applicants’ eligibility cannot be fully assessed if the standard United Nations recruitment documents are not submitted or properly completed i.e. Personal History profile and Supplementary Sheet.
All Application Forms can be found by clicking on the following link: http://ocha.unog.ch/OCHAvacancies/
All applicants are encouraged to subscribe to, create profile, and apply to job openings on Inspira. The personal history profile that is generated from Inspira can also be used to apply to temporary vacancy announcements within the United Nations Common System.
"The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees). Also, the United Nations does not concern itself with information on bank accounts".
