Humanitarian Affairs Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Location: Port Sudan
Country: Sudan
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is a part of the United Nations Secretariat. OCHA was established to coordinate humanitarian response efforts and ensure that humanitarian actors work together effectively during emergencies. The organization aims to mobilize and coordinate effective 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. OCHA-Sudan operates through four divisions, including the Financing and Partnership Section (FPS), which manages humanitarian financing in Sudan through the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF). The SHF was established in 2006 and allocates between US$ 40 to 150 million annually to humanitarian projects across Sudan, ensuring timely allocation and disbursement of donor resources to address critical humanitarian needs. OCHA's mission emphasizes principles of Good Humanitarian Donorship, including flexibility, timeliness, and a needs-based approach.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Affairs Officer position is crucial for supporting the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) allocation process and project life cycle management, as well as assisting in the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocation process. The officer will work under the guidance of the Head of the section and will be responsible for ensuring that the SHF allocation process is transparent, inclusive, and objective. This includes providing support and guidance to sectors during the allocation process, participating in sector meetings, and ensuring that project proposals meet high-quality standards. The officer will also be responsible for maintaining accurate data in the Grant Management System (GMS), monitoring SHF projects, and ensuring compliance with SHF policies and guidelines. Additionally, the officer will support the management of the CERF application process, coordinating with stakeholders and the CERF secretariat, and ensuring timely submission of applications and reports. The role requires frequent interaction with various humanitarian sectors, UN agencies, NGOs, and government entities, making effective communication and collaboration essential.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Humanitarian Affairs Officer will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the SHF allocation process by guiding sectors and providing information on procedures and best practices.
• Participating in sector meetings to ensure project selection meets transparency and inclusiveness criteria.
• Collaborating with sector leads and implementing partners to ensure high-quality project proposals for SHF funding.
• Maintaining relevant information and data in the Grant Management System (GMS) and performing necessary data analyses.
• Monitoring SHF projects to ensure appropriate resource use and compliance with SHF policies.
• Processing no-cost extension and revision requests from implementing partners, ensuring quality control and timely submission for approval.
• Contributing to the improvement of SHF policies and procedures based on allocation process analysis.
• Supporting the CERF allocation process, including coordination with stakeholders and managing application submissions.
• Engaging with humanitarian sectors, UN agencies, NGOs, and government entities to facilitate effective communication and collaboration.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency relief management, or development work is required for candidates with a Master's degree, or 4 years for those with a Bachelor's degree.
• Experience working with a UN organization or an NGO is preferred, particularly in humanitarian financing, grant management, monitoring and evaluation, or quality assurance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages is required, and experience in project design, management, implementation, reporting, and evaluation is highly desirable.
• Experience in developing and facilitating training is also desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree may be accepted if combined with two additional years of qualifying experience. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the duties of the Humanitarian Affairs Officer effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience for candidates with a Master's degree or 4 years for those with a Bachelor's degree. This experience should be in humanitarian affairs, emergency relief management, or development work, preferably with at least two years of experience in a UN organization or an NGO. Candidates should have a strong understanding of humanitarian financing, project management, and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders in the humanitarian sector.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position. These language skills are essential for effective communication with diverse stakeholders, including humanitarian sectors, UN agencies, NGOs, and government entities. Proficiency in both languages will enable the officer to engage in discussions, prepare reports, and facilitate training sessions effectively.

Additional Notes:
This position is open for Sudanese Nationals only. The role may involve frequent interaction with various humanitarian sectors, UN agencies, international and national NGOs, and government entities. The selected candidate will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and is expected to adhere to the standards and principles of the United Nations, including a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct. The organization promotes equal opportunity and inclusivity, ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly regardless of their background.