Humanitarian Affairs Officer

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Position Title: Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Location: El Fasher
Country: Sudan
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a 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 in multiple countries around the world, working with various humanitarian partners to address crises and support affected populations.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Affairs Officer will work under the overall supervision of the Deputy Head of Office – Field Coordination and the immediate supervision of the Head of Sub-Office / Humanitarian Affairs Officer (HAO). The incumbent will play a crucial role in identifying significant humanitarian issues and problems in the assigned region/state. They will be responsible for developing innovative suggestions and approaches to problem resolution, assisting the HAO in managing projects and work teams to ensure timely delivery of outputs, and providing sound inputs and advice regarding the coordination of humanitarian/emergency action. The role requires effective guidance on cultural and political issues intrinsic to the assigned state/region, timely delivery of assigned outputs, development of partnerships, and effective interaction with colleagues internally and externally.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of project activities in the region, which is locally administered by UNDP Sudan. Key responsibilities include:

• Coordination: Establish partnerships with other humanitarian actors to plan and evaluate complex humanitarian and emergency assistance programs; ensure incorporation of the latest findings, lessons learned, and policy guidelines, including gender-related considerations. Liaise with local authorities on humanitarian operations and access matters. Coordinate the delivery of international humanitarian/emergency assistance for complex emergencies/disaster situations; conduct rapid assessments, prepare situation reports, analyze the situation, and specify unmet needs in affected areas. Coordinate disaster response/preparedness and the formulation of project proposals; provide technical support to fieldwork. Support the establishment and functionality of humanitarian coordination mechanisms in the region of responsibility. Represent OCHA in sectoral coordination meetings in the region. Monitor OCHA-supported project activities as needed.
• Information Management / Advocacy: Monitor and collect information on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management programs, or emergency situations in the assigned state/region. Establish and maintain contacts with other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and relevant government counterparts. Contribute to the production of weekly/monthly situation reports on the humanitarian situation and strengthen information networks to gather humanitarian data from the field. Consolidate and maintain a database of information on humanitarian assistance and preparedness. Support advocacy efforts concerning humanitarian issues based on analysis of the humanitarian situation, especially regarding the protection of civilians. Organize work groups, meetings, conferences, and consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters. Adhere to UN rules and regulations, maintain impartiality and transparency, and uphold the UN Code of Conduct. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree in political or social science, law, international studies, public administration, business administration, or another relevant field. A first-level university degree combined with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. However, those with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian work, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, or a related area. Preferably, candidates should have at least two years of experience with international organizations or national implementing partners in the region, and experience coordinating humanitarian operations in White Nile is desirable. Strong drafting and report-writing skills in English and Arabic are preferred, along with experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc).

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in political or social science, law, international studies, public administration, business administration, or another relevant field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian affairs and the necessary skills to navigate the challenges faced in emergency situations.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for this position varies based on the educational qualifications of the applicant. Those with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field are not required to have prior professional work experience. However, applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) must have a minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian work, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, or a related area. It is preferable for candidates to have at least two years of experience working with international organizations or national implementing partners in the region, with specific experience coordinating humanitarian operations in White Nile being highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this position, as it is essential for effective communication and reporting. Additionally, fluency in oral and written Arabic is desirable, as it enhances the ability to engage with local stakeholders and understand the regional context better. Proficiency in both languages is beneficial for the role, given the diverse nature of the humanitarian environment in which the incumbent will operate.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to a probationary period, and the continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of this period. The role is expected to involve frequent interaction with various humanitarian sectors/clusters, UN agencies, international and national NGOs, and government entities at different levels. OCHA has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and are expected to adhere to these standards and principles. OCHA is committed to being an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, ensuring that there is no discrimination based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.