UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer Jobs in Kenya

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer Jobs in Kenya

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Office of the United Nations Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator, within the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.

OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.

The United Nations Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator, appointed by the Secretary-General, is responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to famine prevention and response globally.

This temporary job opening is being advertised for the position of Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Deputy Head of Office in Nairobi, Kenya. The incumbent reports to the Head of Officer (HoO) United Nations Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Deputy Head of Office will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides senior level strategic, policy and operational advice and support to the UN Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator and manages his/her office, overseeing work planning and implementation.

• Serves as a senior policy officer; advise on overall policy direction on specific issues; and, more generally, reviews and provides advice on a diverse range of policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and the linkages with other related areas (e.g. human rights).

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management programmes or emergency situations in assigned country/area; develops and maintains a “watch list” of countries with potential for famine.

• Takes the lead in the planning, development and implementation of large, complex communications campaigns (e.g. global advocacy initiatives, regional public information programmes) and joint communications strategies, leading common media and communications efforts, including common messaging. Identifies sources and seeks funding and other assistance for major campaigns.

• Initiates and coordinates activities related to technical cooperation and technical assistance projects in disaster response and disaster response preparedness; formulates project proposals and relevant project documents; provides technical support to field work; reviews and clears project reports for submission to governments.

• Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organizes follows-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues; and ensures the implementation of recommendations emanating from relevant studies.

• Assists or leads, as appropriate, in the preparation of OCHA reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, etc.; with respect to the latter, takes the lead in providing support and information to relevant councils or other entities on specific issues.

• Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate complex humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes; helps ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.

• Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.; ensures appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UN system, including on early warning and contingency planning, etc.

• Serves as the primary focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc., ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues including primarily humanitarian action in Africa. Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.

• May participate in planning and preparation of unit budget and work program.

• Provides leadership and work direction to assigned work team, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior officers.

• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance and related humanitarian issues. Strong analytical and drafting skills. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.

Communication:

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience.

Planning and Organizing:

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required.

A minimum of four (4) of relevant experience at the international level is required.

At least five (5) years of humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in aid operations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable.

Experience at the management level is desirable.

Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer Jobs in Kenya

Find jobs in Kenya. Jobs - Kenya jobs. Search our career portal & find the latest Kenyan job positions, career opportunities & jobs in Kenya.

Jobs in Kenya - banking jobs, IT jobs, accounting jobs, NGO jobs, business administration, ICT, UN jobs, procurement jobs, education jobs, hospital jobs, human resources jobs, engineering, teaching jobs, and other careers in Kenya.

Find your dream job from 1000s of vacancies in Kenya posted and updated daily - click here!