Head of Office

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Crisis and Response Division (CRD) of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is part of the United Nations Secretariat. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies. The organization advocates for the rights of people in need, promotes preparedness and prevention, and facilitates sustainable solutions. OCHA plays a crucial role in ensuring a coherent response to emergencies by bringing together various humanitarian actors and providing a framework for their contributions to overall response efforts. The organization operates globally, with a focus on crisis-affected areas, and is committed to improving the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance.

Job Overview:
The Head of Office position in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a temporary role under the overall supervision of the Director of the Crisis and Response Division (CRD). The incumbent will serve as a senior policy advisor to the UN Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) and the UN Country Team (UNCT), providing strategic support and guidance on humanitarian principles and initiatives. The role involves developing and maintaining contacts with the international community to advocate for humanitarian concerns, strengthening cooperation among humanitarian actors, and advising on humanitarian reform initiatives. The Head of Office will also be responsible for strategic leadership in humanitarian programming and coordination, ensuring effective implementation and monitoring of humanitarian activities, and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, including government partners, NGOs, and UN agencies. The position requires a strong focus on humanitarian access negotiations, resource mobilization, and the establishment of effective coordination mechanisms to address humanitarian needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Head of Office will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: serving as a senior policy advisor to the UN RC/HC and the humanitarian country team; developing and maintaining relationships with the international community; advising on humanitarian reform initiatives; providing strategic support for the implementation and monitoring of humanitarian work plans; leading humanitarian access negotiations; consulting with various stakeholders on the delivery of humanitarian activities; promoting best practices in humanitarian response; facilitating inter-agency resource mobilization; managing information systems to map humanitarian needs; ensuring timely assistance in response to emergencies; supporting capacity building for national institutions; promoting dialogue among humanitarian actors; leading contingency planning processes; and overseeing all programmatic and administrative tasks for the OCHA office. The incumbent will also be responsible for producing high-quality outputs, including work plans, situation reports, and analytical papers, and will perform other duties as requested by the UN RC/HC or Director of CRD.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of humanitarian issues, emergency relief assistance, and related fields. They should demonstrate the ability to identify and analyze issues, develop data sources, and conduct independent research. The role requires excellent judgment, the ability to work under pressure, and a commitment to professional excellence. Candidates should also exhibit strong teamwork skills, collaborating effectively with colleagues and valuing diverse perspectives. Planning and organizing skills are essential, with the ability to set clear goals, prioritize tasks, and monitor progress. Managerial competencies, including leadership and performance management, are also critical for this position.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, management, economics, engineering, earth sciences, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis management, or related areas. At least five years of humanitarian experience at the international level in field operations during complex emergencies or natural disasters is required. Experience in leading and coordinating humanitarian relief operations at a management level in such contexts is also necessary. Experience in a mission setting is desirable, indicating a strong background in practical humanitarian work.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in both languages is required, with candidates expected to meet the minimum required level for each skill according to the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
The job is a temporary position, and specific details regarding contract duration, seniority level, and whether the role is full-time or part-time are not specified. The position is focused on recruiting individuals with international experience, particularly in humanitarian contexts, and may involve significant responsibilities in managing humanitarian operations and coordinating with various stakeholders.