Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Organizational Context
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) within the UN Secretariat coordinates humanitarian actors for effective emergency response. This role is within the Fund Management Support Unit, Country Funds Section, Pooled Funds Branch, located at UNHQ in New York. The incumbent reports to the Head of Unit, contributing to OCHA's mission of mobilizing and coordinating principled humanitarian action.
Job Purpose
The Humanitarian Affairs Officer serves as a program desk officer, providing strategic direction and fund management support for Country and Regional Funds. This involves offering timely guidance and operational support, and contributing to the development of fund-related policies in collaboration with various stakeholders. The role acts as a primary focal point for specific topics and policy issues, conducting data analysis, monitoring developments, and liaising with humanitarian organizations and donors. Additionally, the officer will assist in capacity development through technical advice and training on humanitarian financing, and participate in relevant work groups and conferences. The position also involves monitoring and reporting on humanitarian financing, disaster relief, and emergency situations within assigned Pooled Funds, and supporting policy development through studies and interagency meetings.
Responsibilities
Provide strategic direction and effective fund management support to Country and Regional Funds, offering timely guidance and operational assistance. Contribute to the development of fund-related policies, programming areas, and management approaches in collaboration with global, regional, and country-level stakeholders. Serve as a focal point for policy issues, conduct data analysis, monitor developments, and liaise with humanitarian organizations and donors. Assist in capacity development through technical advice and training on humanitarian financing. Organize and participate in work groups, meetings, and conferences on humanitarian financing. Monitor, analyze, and report on humanitarian financing, disaster relief, and emergency situations. Prepare studies on humanitarian relief issues and organize follow-up meetings for policy development. Participate in complex projects, including disaster assessments, and coordinate international humanitarian assistance. Plan and evaluate humanitarian assistance programs with partner agencies, incorporating lessons learned and gender considerations. Assist in producing appeals for international assistance and ensure proper use of donor funds. Establish and maintain contacts with government officials, UN agencies, NGOs, and media. Undertake field missions for in-depth reviews of coordination mechanisms. Prepare guidelines for Country-Based Pooled Funds and draft various reports and communications. Review and advise on policy issues related to humanitarian principles and assistance delivery. Provide guidance and supervision to junior staff.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis management, or related areas is required. Experience in managing Pooled Funds at the country level, including allocations, partner engagement, and grant administration, is also required. Experience in writing advocacy briefs and reports, along with data management and analysis related to humanitarian pooled funding, is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, Accountability, Planning & Organizing, humanitarian assistance, emergency relief, humanitarian financing, data analysis, policy development, fund management, communication, coordination, report writing, capacity building, gender mainstreaming.