The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Yemen facilitates humanitarian action across the country. It focuses on the following three sets of activities: a) preparedness, b) support to emergency response and c) development of regional coordination networks. For this purpose, the Office works with United Nations and Inter-Agency Standing Committee Country Teams, national authorities and relevant humanitarian partners in respective countries and territories. At regional level, it collaborates with regional inter-governmental organizations and the regional offices of Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s partner agencies.
The Office has different programme units involved in the above-mentioned activities. They include a disaster preparedness and response unit, external relations and policy unit and information management unit. The National Humanitarian Affairs Officer will work to ensure better coordination is in place between UNOCHA Yemen team and relevant government departments/authorities for the delivery of the humanitarian Assistance and for advocacy issues.Under the direct supervision of the Humanitarian Affairs Office/Deputy Head of Office with overall direction of the Head of OCHA and working as an integral part of the organization’s Team, the incumbent will be ensuring maximum professionalism and adding capacity in supporting the mandate of OCHA.
|
Duties and Responsibilities
|
Under the overall supervision of the Head of Field Office, the National Humanitarian Affairs Officer will:
- Identify information requirements for better understanding and reporting on humanitarian trends and developments in the region;
- Support the collection of information to improve information products such as mapping of available capacities, who does what where data base and inter-agency reports; assist with data entry into relevant databases as appropriate;
- Liaise with humanitarian partners at country and regional level to triangulate humanitarian information and effectively identify and map humanitarian needs and response activities;
- Track information required for early warning of potential humanitarian emergencies:
- Establish and maintain contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, where relevant.
- Ensure better coordination is in place between UNOCHA Yemen team and relevant government departments/authorities for the delivery of the humanitarian Assistance and for advocacy issues;
- Follow up on the agenda of the HoO for regular meetings with Government and with Humanitarian partners and prepares notes from these meetings;
- Ensure establishing partnership with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate complex humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes; help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations;
- Support advocacy efforts concerning humanitarian issues based on analysis of the humanitarian situation, especially on the protection of civilians;
- Assist in the coordination of disaster response/preparedness and in the formulation of project proposals; provide technical support to field work.
- As appropriate, help organize and/or participate in inter-agency assessment missions to build consensus on humanitarian needs and priorities;
- Support and participate in lessons learned exercises and evaluations;
- Run training for local and International partner
- Any other duties as determined by the supervisor or the Head of Office.
|
Competencies
|
Professionalism:
- Experience of working in International agencies an advantage including the field of humanitarian action, protection of civilians in armed conflict, and civil-military coordination.
- Proven liaison skills: ability to communicate and to contact with different governmental and humanitarian actors
- Very good knowledge of region of assignment, including the cultural, political and economic dimensions.
- Ability to relate humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political economic, social and human rights programs.
- Strong negotiation skills: ability to lead and gain assistance of others in a team endeavor, and to articulate coherent arguments to reach agreement.
- Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. armed conflict, civil strife, natural disasters and human Suffering).
- Understanding of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs and sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN system.
Judgment and Decision-making:
- Apply sound judgment to resolve a range of issues/ problems. Will abide by security guidelines.
Planning and Organizing:
- Proven ability to plan and organize, establish priorities, manage and monitor work plans, coordinate competing demands, and work to tight deadlines.
Technological Awareness:
- Solid computer skills, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet applications, and relevant software packages, including e-mail.
Communication:
- Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations, articulating options concisely, conveying maximum information, making and defending recommendations.
Teamwork:
- Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Operational Skills:
- Good drafting and report writing skills are required.
- Presentation skills
- Excellent command of Office suite applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
- Familiarity and good knowledge of social, political and economical conditions in the region;
- Proven abilities in data collection, compilation, analysis and reporting with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and effective oral communication;
- Proven skills in conducting in meetings and reporting
- This position may involve extensive travelling within Yemen.
|
Required Skills and Experience
|
Education and Experience:
- Master’s Degree preferably in political or social science, international studies, public relations, economics, law, information technology, or other relevant field is required with minimum of 5 years of relevant progressively professional responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, information management ,crisis/emergency relief management or other related area, preferably with a UN organization or an NGO.
- A first-level university degree in combination with a total of 7 years relevant professional and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.
|
