Background
Pakistan has become the epicentre of climate change, ranking among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to natural disasters, including floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), droughts, and others. These climate-induced disasters in Pakistan have caused fatalities, loss of livelihood and livestock, and damaged and destroyed public and private infrastructure across the country, often with significant humanitarian consequences that require adequate emergency response preparedness.ย
Most recently, in 2022 major floods affected around 33 million people and left 20.6 million in need of lifesaving assistance, half of whom were children. In total, 7.9 million people were displaced, while at least 664,000 individuals were placed into relief camps and informal sites. OCHA has been scaling up its operations in Pakistan focusing on its key functions of coordination, information management, resource mobilization and advocacy.
OCHA has been scaling up its operations since then focusing on itโs key functions of coordination, information management, resource mobilization and advocacy. OCHA plans to enhance Emergency Response Preparedness for district/provincial authorities and humanitarian actors through coordination with OCHA Antenna offices.ย
Under the overall guidance of the Head of the Coordinationย (P3), the National Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for all matters concerning Emergency Response Preparedness (ERP) andย coordination of OCHA Antenna offices.
Ensure preparedness and response mechanisms are put in place in consultation with the ISCG, EWG, Humanitarian Actors, NDMA/PDMA/DDMA, and other government departments. Facilitate capacity-build of DDMA/PDMA, humanitarian actors and ensure monsoon, heatwaves, winterization and earthquake contingency plans are in place. Support operationalization of Anticipatory Action (AA). Draft appeals, situation reports, CERF, Humanitarian Needs Analysis, operational updates, minutes, concept notes, advocacy messages and lead the EWP as focal point and support the ISCG/HCT, and Sectors/Thematic working groups. Initiate Proposals, implement workplans and report against them.ย Advocate for access to essential services, especially water, sanitation, food, shelter, education, and health for vulnerable communities, including the collection, analysis and dissemination of information to humanitarian partners, and negotiation of access. Support the government efforts and humanitarian organizations in humanitarian response efforts, including assisting internally displaced people and return. Support Government efforts in dealing with ongoing humanitarian issues, including drought and building the capacity of Government focal points on humanitarian issues. Coordinate the implementation of humanitarian response in Somalia with UN agencies and programs, national and international NGOs, and local authorities/communities as appropriate, with a focus on strengthening the cluster approach. Enhance a protective environment that respects the human rights of all, including IDPs, returnees and minority clans. ย Duties and Responsibilities ย Under the overall guidance of the Head of Coordination unit, the National Humanitarian Affairs Officer will be responsible for all matters concerning Emergency Response Preparedness and Field Coordination in the OCHA Pakistan office.Summary of Key Functions:ย
Ensuring preparedness and response mechanisms are put in place Managing the Coordination function at the OCHA sub-office/antenna level Information Collection in support of Humanitarian Analysis and Response, and information sharing Facilitating capacity-build of DDMA/PDMA, humanitarian actors and ensure monsoon, heatwaves, winterization and earthquake contingency plans are in place. Development of coordination and cooperation mechanisms among stakeholdersย Monitoring and Reporting Facilitating knowledge-building and knowledge sharingย1- Ensuring preparedness and response mechanisms are put in place ahead of disaster events like Monsoon, drought, Heatwaves, earthquake. Harsh winter etc.
Inter-Agency contingency and preparedness planning ensuring thatย capacity-build of DDMA/PDMA, humanitarian actors and ensure monsoon, heatwaves, winterization and earthquake contingency plans are in place. Mobilize resources for capacity-building of DDMA/PDMA and humanitarian actors in emergency preparedness, assessment, coordination, response, reporting and other topics. Support early action and operationalization of Anticipatory Action (AA). Draft appeals, situation reports, CERF, Humanitarian Needs Analysis, operational updates. Minutes, concept notes, advocacy messages and lead the EWP as focal point and support the ISCG/HCT, and Sectors/Thematic working groups. Initiate Proposals, implement workplans and report against them.ย2- Managing the Coordination function at OCHA,ย in liaison with the government, partners and vulnerable populations/beneficiaries of aid.
Consolidate inputs to the regular flood situation report in coordination with OCHA field offices, sector coordinators and other stake holders. Work with partners, OCHA staff on communication initiatives to ensure coherence of messaging around the flood emergency and response.ย Monitor, research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources on humanitarian issues in Pakistan to build a clear situation awareness. Review incoming field reports, prepare summaries of field activities and flag key issues that need the attention of senior management.ย 3- Provide accurate Information Collection in support of Humanitarian Analysis and Response, focusing on the achievement of the following results: Establish and maintain an extensive communications networkย to collect information that builds a good humanitarian situation awareness in Pakistan. Contribute to drafting, editing and providing inputs for donor reporting and resource mobilization effortsย Support the collection of field information to monitor and improve ongoing response, coordination activities and information products.ย 4- Assist in facilitation of information sharing among partners focusing on achievement of the following: Establish and maintain contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, NGOs, donors, diplomatic missions, media, etc. and ensure appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UN system. Assist in the organization of meetings (EWG, ISCG, HCT, etc.), conferences, workshops and other coordination and advocacy events. Attend and prepare detailed minutes and reports on meetings of relevance to OCHA. Prepare for and accompany visiting UN and donor missions. 5- Support the development of coordination and cooperation mechanisms among stakeholdersย focusing on the achievement of the following results: Support existing coordination mechanisms and assist in the establishment of new field coordination wherever required. Establish relationships with key stakeholders, including non-traditional humanitarian actors, in areas of operation to ensure the humanitarian information flow from OCHA to partners and vice versa and ensure their participation in operations Strengthen the cluster system through coordination, individual or joint assessments, individual or collective responses, etc. 6- Provide proper monitoring and reporting focusing on achievement of the following: Support the collection of field information to monitor and improve ongoing response, coordination activities and information products.ย Prepare succinct reports on the key humanitarian issues in the districts and workings with district-level partners to provide analysis on response gaps and advocacy issues
7- Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:
Assist in liaising with the media, the public and other external stakeholders as required, including input into communications planning. Be the focal point on all reporting matters in the office.ย Perform other duties, as required.The key results have an impact on the overall coordination of humanitarian and emergency assistance. Theย root causes of the humanitarian/emergencies are appreciated, ensuring that strong and effective responses are mounted. This facilitates operational agencies in succeeding in their core objectives, the building of strong partnerships with relevant parties and the achievement of OCHAโs objectives.ย
Core Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balancing speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively:ย LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously:ย LEVEL 2: Go outside your comfort zone, learn from others, and support their learning
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in the change process
Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner:ย LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, brings people together, builds/maintains coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision makingย
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Cross-Functional & Technical competenciesย
Results-Based Programme Development and Management -ย Contributes into results through primary research and analysis:ย Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration -ย Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementationย
Building Strategic Partnerships - Maintaining a network of contacts:ย Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues - Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches -ย Enhancing processes or products:ย Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things - ย Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
Resource Mobilization -ย Providing inputs to resource mobilization strategy: Collects, researches and analyzes information on resource mobilization and utilization, drafts reports and documents and maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors and donor-funded projects
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing - Basic research and analysis: Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things - Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approachesย
Global Leadership and Advocacy for OCHAโs Goals - Preparing information for global advocacy: ย Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for OCHAโs goals for a variety of audiences -ย ย Maintains a functioning network of contacts in the media and civil society, to promote a better understanding of OCHAโs priorities and to support advocacy efforts Required Skills and Experience
ย Education:
Language requirement
Fluency in English and Urdu languages is required.ย Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.ย Disclaimer ย Applicant information about UNOCHA rosters ย Note: 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 at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. ย Non-discrimination ย 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 ย ย UNOCHA 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. ย Scam warning ย The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee 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.