Humanitarian Affairs Officer /Anticipatory Approach at United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/ Anticipatory Approach will be responsible for the following duties:    

• Supports the regional scale-up and mainstreaming of the anticipatory approach, including through facilitating the revision of existing and the development of new coordinated anticipatory action frameworks.  
• Deploys to support emergency response, particularly in response to triggering anticipatory action frameworks, to ensure learning and integration of anticipatory approaches with early action, response, and recovery.  
• Supports regional mechanisms related to the anticipatory approach, including anticipatory action working group and other bodies as appropriate.  
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on the anticipatory approach, especially on the complementarity of disaster risk finance, humanitarian finance, IFI and climate finance.  
• Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organizes follow-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues.
•  Participates in large, complex projects, to include disaster preparedness or other missions facilitating an anticipatory approach; 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 the situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries.  
• Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes, including anticipatory approaches, and help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are aggregated, disseminated, and incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.    
• Assists in the production of appeals for international assistance; supports and engages with OCHA-managed pooled funds, ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA.  
• Provides capacity building support on anticipatory approaches and 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.      
• 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.  
• 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.  
• 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 anticipatory action and other humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
• Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff.  Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

•  PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance, and related humanitarian issues. Ability to identify issues, analyze, and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet, and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, work under pressure, and on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g., civil strife, natural disasters, and human misery). Shows pride in work and 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.  
• TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.  
• 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.

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.
• A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of (5) five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required.    
• Experience in developing or implementing anticipatory humanitarian action is required.    
• Experience in humanitarian financing, climate finance, or disaster risk finance is desirable.    
• Experience working with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) is desirable.