HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER / HEAD OF SUB-OFFICE

Organizational Context

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is part of the UN Secretariat, responsible for coordinating humanitarian actors to ensure coherent responses to emergencies. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective humanitarian action, advocate for the rights of those in need, and promote preparedness. This role, Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Head of Sub-Office, is based in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, reporting to the Deputy Head of Office.

Job Purpose

The Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Head of Sub-Office is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on humanitarian developments and emergency situations in the assigned area. This includes organizing studies, supporting humanitarian access negotiations, and coordinating international humanitarian assistance for complex emergencies. The role involves planning and evaluating humanitarian programs with partners, ensuring lessons learned and policy guidelines are incorporated, and maintaining contact with various stakeholders. Additionally, the incumbent will undertake field missions, prepare reports and documents, and manage the sub-office, including supervising staff. The purpose is to ensure effective and principled humanitarian action to alleviate suffering and advocate for those in need.

Responsibilities

Monitor, analyze, and report on humanitarian developments and emergency situations. Organize studies and interagency meetings to support policy development. Facilitate humanitarian access negotiations and civil-military coordination with authorities and armed groups. Participate in complex projects, including disaster assessments, and coordinate international humanitarian assistance. Draft situation reports for the international community, detailing needs. Partner with humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate programs, incorporating lessons learned and gender considerations. Establish and maintain contacts with government officials, UN agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders. Support technical assistance and field missions, conducting in-depth reviews of coordination mechanisms. Prepare various written reports, documents, and communications. Organize and participate in work groups, meetings, and conferences on humanitarian relief. Manage the sub-office, supervising and guiding staff.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressive experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, or relief management is required. Three years of field experience in emergency situations is also required. Experience in negotiating humanitarian access, leading civil-military coordination, and managing teams is necessary. Experience within the UN system or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Planning and Organizing, Client Orientation, knowledge of humanitarian issues, analytical skills, research and analysis, ability to work under pressure, communication, negotiation, coordination, team management.

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