Strategic Coordination Officer at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Position Purpose

The Strategic Coordination Officer will contribute to the efforts of the United Nations Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator to lead and coordinate a cohesive response to rising food insecurity in the Horn of Africa region and beyond. The incumbent will engage with relevant humanitarian and development stakeholders to support pertinent initiatives, events and partnerships to achieve this goal.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

•  Support the Chief of Office in serving as the key focal point within the humanitarian system for NGOs, UN agencies and Government partners within the assigned geographical area of responsibility;
•  Be informed and able to represent the interests of humanitarian actors within a given state or sector and advise on humanitarian priorities and principles
•  Build collaborative and effective relationships with all actors, both humanitarian and non-humanitarian, to ensure that all available resources and actors are ready to support humanitarian operations when necessary.
•  Monitor and track all new humanitarian incidents;
•  Document all developments and share through verbal or written reports/briefings with field-level; implementing partners and the OFPRC;
•  Support the collection of field information to improve coordination activities and effectively map areas of humanitarian needs and response activities;
•  Contribute to the development of reporting and public information products through preparation of weekly internal field reports.
•  Support the OFPRC by participating in, as needed, the preparation and hosting of high-level field visits and missions and assessments, lessons learned and evaluations;
•  Work in close collaboration with Government authorities and seek opportunities to increase the humanitarian capacity of local authorities.
•  Ensure the use of gender-sensitive needs assessment, needs analysis and response strategy development. Promote the use of the interagency agreed guidelines, sphere standards, criteria of intervention, and checklists agreed at inter sector level.
•  The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Education

•  Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Social Science, Public Administration, International Studies, Economics or related area or;
•  A first-level University degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the related fields with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Advanced University degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

•  At least 2 years experience in a similar position with an international organization engaged in relief and development work in the Horn of Africa region;
•  Experience in conducting humanitarian assessments and in implementing humanitarian programs.
•  Experience with humanitarian coordination, preferably in leadership roles;
•  Experience working with humanitarian partners and capacity building.Solid understanding of humanitarian operations and principles;
•  Ability to communicate clearly with a demonstrated openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
•  Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of actors under significant time and logistical constraints and deliver results;
•  Excellent computer knowledge (Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint), E-Mail programmes (Lotus Notes preferred or MS Outlook), Internet search machines and responsible virus free internet usage;
•  knowledge of handling GPS receivers and Thuraya phone will be an added advantage.