BACKGROUND
This position is located in the External Relations and Partnerships Section, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Branch, Financing and Partnerships Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Doha, Qatar. 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.
This temporary job opening is being advertised for the position Humanitarian Affairs Officer in Doha, Qatar. The incumbent will report to the Head of OCHA Qatar Liaison Office.ย
Key Duties and Accountabilities
Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:ย
Supports the implementation of the Qatar Liaison officeโs engagement plan, including supporting maintaining and developing key strategic partnerships with government and non-government officials in Qatar.ย Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in assigned country/area of focus. Develops studies on humanitarian diplomacy, humanitarian emergency response; organizes follow-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues. Facilitates strategic dialogue with senior counterparts to promote humanitarian principles and explore areas of joint cooperation, leveraging diplomatic channels to advance humanitarian goals.ย Participates in large, complex projects, to include disaster assessment or other missions; assists in the coordination of international humanitarian/emergency assistance for complex emergency/disaster situations and in ensuring the necessary support (e.g. staff, funding, specialized equipment, supplies, etc.); drafts situation reports to the international community, apprising of situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries. Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes and help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.ย Advocates and mobilize resources to UN pooled funds (Country Based Pooled Funds and the Central Emergency Response Fund) and OCHA's core programme. Assists in the production of appeals for international assistance; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA. Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc. Undertakes and provides support to technical assistance and other field missions, e.g. participates in field trips to undertake in-depth reviews of specific country coordination mechanisms.ย ย Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc.ย Serves as the primary focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc., ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues.ย Reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance. Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters. Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff. Performs other duties as required.Competencies
Professionalism:ย Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response.ย Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned country/area. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff.ย Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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:ย 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Planning& Organizing:ย 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.
Judgement and decision making :ย Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering,
earth sciences or a related field.
OR
A first-level university degree in above-mentioned field of study, in combination with two years additional of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree is required.Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience with a Masterโs degree, or seven (7) years with a Bachelorโs degree, in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or a related field is required. Experience in fostering collaboration and building strategic partnerships with humanitarian actors, governments, international /regional organizations and other stakeholders is desirable. Experience in conducting comprehensive analysis of humanitarian diplomacy trends, emerging crises, and response needs is desirable.ย Candidates must be Qatar nationals or in possession of Qatar residency with permission to work is required.ย Similar experience working with the UN or other international organizations would be an advantage.Language Requirements:
Fluency in Arabic and English is requiredย
Applicant information about the UNOCHA rosters
UNOCHA reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNOCHA ย 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.ย UNOCHAย 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.Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing, or other fees in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names, and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.