Humanitarian Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Crisis Response Division (CRD) of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is part of the United Nations Secretariat. OCHA was established to bring together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. Its 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. OCHA advocates for the rights of people in need, promotes preparedness and prevention, and facilitates sustainable solutions. The organization operates globally, engaging with various stakeholders to ensure that humanitarian efforts are effective and well-coordinated.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Affairs Officer position is crucial for monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on humanitarian developments and emergency situations in Syria. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Head of Office, OCHA Syria, and will be responsible for organizing studies on humanitarian issues, participating in disaster assessments, and coordinating international humanitarian assistance. The role requires collaboration with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate assistance programs, ensuring that lessons learned and policy guidelines are integrated into these activities. The officer will also manage appeals for international assistance, maintain contacts with various stakeholders, and prepare written reports and communications. This position demands a proactive approach to addressing humanitarian needs and ensuring effective delivery of assistance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Humanitarian Affairs Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: monitoring and analyzing humanitarian developments and emergency situations; organizing studies and follow-up work on humanitarian issues; participating in disaster assessments and coordinating international assistance; drafting situation reports for the international community; partnering with humanitarian agencies to evaluate assistance programs; managing appeals for international assistance; establishing contacts with government officials and NGOs; providing support for field missions; preparing various reports and documents; serving as a focal point on specific topics; reviewing policy issues related to humanitarian principles; organizing work groups and meetings; and providing guidance to junior staff. The role requires a commitment to teamwork and effective communication with various stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of humanitarian and emergency relief assistance, with the ability to analyze issues and develop solutions. The role requires excellent research and analytical skills, as well as the ability to work under pressure in stressful environments. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, teamwork, and effective planning and organizing skills. The ability to incorporate gender perspectives into humanitarian work is essential, as is the capacity to collaborate with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.

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

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis management, or related areas is required. Candidates should have humanitarian experience in the field, particularly in emergency situations, and experience managing Inter-Cluster and Humanitarian Country Team workstreams is desirable. Familiarity with the Middle East region and experience within the UN common system or comparable international organizations are also advantageous.

Languages:
English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. French is also a working language, and while it is not mandatory, proficiency in Arabic is desirable. Candidates should refer to the UN Language Framework for specific language skill requirements.

Additional Notes:
The job does not specify the contract duration or seniority level, but it is important to note that the position is full-time and located in Damascus, Syria. The role may involve international recruitment, and candidates should be prepared for the challenges associated with working in a humanitarian context.