National Humanitarian Affairs Officer-UNOCHA-(Nationals Only)

This position is open to Afghan Nationals Only

BACKGROUND

OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to: 

• alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies 
• advocate for the rights of people in need 
• promote preparedness and prevention 
• facilitate sustainable solutions. 

In December 1991, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 46/182 designed to strengthen the United Nation's response to both complex emergencies and natural disasters. In addition, it aimed at improving the overall effectiveness of the UN's humanitarian operations in the field. 

Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous and most violent, crisis-ridden countries in the world with a continued deepening and geographic spread of the conflict. Violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Human Rights Law (HRL) occur regularly - including targeted killings, forced recruitment, and attacks on health and education facilities. 

At the same time, Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes, flooding, drought, landslides, and avalanches. Over three decades of conflict, coupled with climate change, environmental degradation, and insufficient investment in disaster risk reduction strategies, have contributed to the increasing vulnerability of the Afghan people to cope with the sudden shock of natural disasters and increased risks posed to livelihoods. On average, each year, around 230,000 people are affected by natural disasters. Destruction of shelters, crops, food stocks, and damage to household and community assets such as water and sanitation infrastructure result in the need for emergency support to protect people from the elements.

Position Purpose: 

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Head of Office, work closely with the rest of the OCHA Field Coordination and Access Unit (FCAU) team to facilitate effective coordination at the national and sub-office level.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

Summary of key functions: 

• Coordination, Advocacy and Engagement
• Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting
• Policy Guidance and Advocacy
• Cross-cutting, Cluster Coordination and Thematic Integration
• Resource Mobilization and Facilitation of Access
• Information Management and Data Analysis

  1.)  Coordination, Advocacy and Engagement

• Monitor, analyze and report on humanitarian, relief/disaster management of emergencies and contribute to the coordination of humanitarian assistance in Central and other regions.
• Strengthen and maintain contacts, collaboration and effective working relationships with provincial De Facto Authorities, United Nations agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations.
• Work closely and consistently with national and regional authorities, UN agencies, NGOs and other partners as appropriate and as required to ensure functional, accountable, predictable and scalable suite of coordination systems in designated areas of assignment. 
• Strengthen existing strategic forums for engagement both at the national and sub-national level

2.) Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting

• Prepare daily and weekly reports on humanitarian trends, needs and gaps
• Draft readouts of high-level coordination meetings with authorities at the national and sub-national level
• Draft situation reports on onset emergencies 
• Prepare or contribute to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, briefing papers, provincial profiles, policy orientations, presentations etc.
• Provide evidence-based analysis and reporting to keep OCHA leadership and stakeholders abreast of key issues affecting humanitarian response that will ultimately inform advocacy efforts

3.)  Policy Guidance and Advocacy

• Advise on policy issues relating to safeguarding humanitarian principles, joint operating procedures and frameworks governing the provision of principled humanitarian response in addition to conducting humanitarian sessions with the De Facto Authorities and humanitarian partners.
• Promote the dissemination and understanding of OCHA’s mandate, the humanitarian principles and the humanitarian code of conduct amongst partners in assigned areas.
• Support Humanitarian Coordinator and coordination forums at national and sub-national levels including the Humanitarian Country Team, Regional Humanitarian Team, Inter-Cluster Coordination Group and Operations Coordination Team to promote principled actions, access and accountability to the affected population. 
• Support gender empowerment of women and girls in emergencies and ensure are prioritized in joint programme planning processes.
• Support prioritization of humanitarian assistance especially to hard-to-reach areas and promote the ‘leave no one behind approach.
• Assist in operationalizing joint operating framework on returns for Afghanistan at the sub-national level and promote complementarity between humanitarian and development interventions to support early recovery and durable solutions through the regional durable solutions working group.

4.) Cross-Cutting, Cluster Coordination and Thematic Integration

• Work with ICCG and OCT at sub-national level to ensure cross-cutting and thematic groups on gender, disabilities, PSEA, AAP, climate change etc. are considered in all elements of the HPC and incorporated into vulnerabilities analysis.
• Promote and facilitate cross-inter-cluster coordination by fostering collaboration between different humanitarian clusters and clusters, ensuring a holistic approach to addressing humanitarian issues in the assigned area.
• Facilitate joint needs assessments of vulnerability to emergencies and disasters in disaster and crisis-prone areas and work closely with sub-national coordination teams such as the regional Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG), provincial Operations Coordination Teams (OCT) to provide timely reports of inter-agency needs assessments, contextual analysis of the humanitarian situation

5.) Facilitation of Access

• Provide access services to humanitarian partners including access negotiations, analysis, consultations and awareness at both national and sub-national levels.
• Lead on resolving access impediments for humanitarian partners, produce timely access analysis, organize orientation sessions with DfAs and support the establishment of strategic forums for engagement at sub-national levels.
• Work with other humanitarian actors to identify gaps and coordinate the mobilization of resources for timely response.
• Coordinate with regional and Provincial authorities to facilitate the return and reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees and other vulnerable groups in their preferred return destinations areas, ensure safety and access by the vulnerable people to essential services
• Organize and facilitate OCHA and humanitarian donors’ field missions, provide appropriate briefs on humanitarian situations and facilitate local field visits. 

6.) Information management and data analysis

• Work closely with the OCHA Information Management Unit and partners to enhance information management systems, including the timely collection and dissemination of data related to IDPs, humanitarian needs, response efforts, draft information products such as provincial profiles, 3Ws, contact list and briefing packs are in place for his/her area of assignment and updated regularly
• Work with regional counterparts to support anticipatory action and emergency response and emergency responses via pre-developed allocation modalities and strategies, information products and advocacy.
• The incumbent performs other duties as may be required by the Head of OCHA Sub-Office or Head of Field Coordination, within the functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

COMPETENCIES:

Core Competencies: 

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

Cross-functional & Technical competencies 

• Engagement & Effectiveness Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement-Humanitarian-Development Peace (HDP) Nexus
• Engagement & Effectiveness Crisis-Management/Country Management Support-Humanitarian assessment capacity
• Engagement & Effectiveness Crisis Management / Country Management Support-Humanitarian inter-agency coordination
• Business Management-Project Management-Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Business Direction & Strategy-Strategic Thinking-Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with OCHA’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions 
• Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for OCHA
• Business Management-Mutual Accountability Framework -Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Qualifications:

Education: 

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field.

OR

• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: 

• 2 years (with a master’s degree) or 4 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience that includes progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related areas is required 
• Humanitarian experience in the field of emergencies (complex emergencies or natural disasters) is required.
• Experience in undertaking access negotiations is required 
• Experience in a humanitarian context in the UN Common System or other comparable international organizations is desirable. 

Language requirements 

• Fluency in oral and written English, Pashto, or Dari is required.

Applicant information about rosters

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 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. 
• 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.

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