Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in the Crisis Response Division (CRD), 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 also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. 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. This multiple duty station temporary job opening is being advertised for two (2) positions of Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Pooled Fund Manager/Envelope Manager) and are located in Pemba, (Mozambique) and Bogota (Colombia). The Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to OCHA Head of Office, supported by the Regional Fund Manager. The Humanitarian Fund Units in OCHA Regional and Country Offices manage multi-donor country-based pooled funds under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator and/or Humanitarian Coordinator. These funds receive unearmarked contributions from donors. The funds are allocated to humanitarian actors for ongoing humanitarian operations and to respond to new emergencies. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Pooled Fund Manager/Envelope Manager) may supervise staff. The incumbent is expected to surge to other countries in the region as needed and at short notice.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Pooled Fund/Envelope Manager, will be responsible for the following duties I. Fund Management and Coordination:

• Under the supervision of the HoO, support and advise the HC/RC on the overall management of the Regional Fund for Eastern and Southern Africa Mozambique Envelope and Regional Fund for LAC Colombia Envelope vis-a-vis the humanitarian context (i.e. priorities and critical needs).
• Ensure the overall administration of the Fund and liaise as necessary with relevant OCHA HQ sections (i.e. OCHA Coordination and Response Division (CRD), OCHA Country Funds Section (CFS), OCHA EO Branch.
• Support and implement standardized policy in line with HQ guidance and decisions.
• Represent the Fund, coordinating with all stakeholders, such as sectors/clusters, humanitarian partners, donors etc.
• Assist the HC/RC in preparing and facilitating Advisory Board (AB) meetings and other processes.
• Manage and supervise Fund-related support staff.
• Manage fund allocation processes of the Fund and CERF ensuring necessary coordination with relevant counterparts in line with the country level manual and related global guidance and best practices.
• Monitor the implementation of Fund allocation strategies as endorsed by the HC/RC, in consultation with HoO, promoting coherence between humanitarian needs and response.
• Liaise with NGOs, UN partners as well as clusters and OCHA field offices to follow-up on project progress and overall Fund progress.
• Conduct periodic field visits to promote the knowledge and support the appropriate use of the Fund in line with its Operational Manual, field visits should focus on key actors (i.e. OCHA field colleagues, recipient organizations, local authorities, communities).
• Ensure proper communication and support during the allocation process to all stakeholders.
• Liaise with and provide necessary support to recipient organizations of the Fund throughout the life-cycle of the projects, promoting coherence between humanitarian needs and response.
• Advise the HC/RC, recipient organizations and stakeholders on measures to mitigate foreseeable operational risks.
• Ensure recipient organizations compliance with financial and other rules applicable to the Fund.
• Ensure coordination and information exchange with humanitarian donors aiming to promote coordinated and complementary use of funds. II. Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation:
• Advise the HC/RC and the HoO on compliance and risk management.
• Ensure compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements in place for the Fund.
• Systematically provide information on project status to the HoO and the HC/RC, donors and relevant governing bodies of the Fund;
• Ensure timely overall project reporting, including for the Funds consolidated annual report.
• Support OCHA in setting up a humanitarian response monitoring mechanism to identify gaps, in close collaboration with other units and coordination forums at national and sub-national level.
• Assist in the preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies in consultation with relevant HQ sections (CFS, EGS);
• Support the review of the Fund by the UN oversight bodies including the Board of Auditors (BoA) and Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). III. Analysis, communications and public information:
• Research, analyze and present humanitarian financing information, in particular funding trends and requirements, gathered from diverse sources.
• Assist in policy development, including the review and analysis of humanitarian issues and funding trends at the country level, ensuring proper coordination with CFS.
• In collaboration with other OCHA units and field offices, as well as with support from relevant OCHA HQ sections, document and disseminate results, best practices and results of the Fund across internal and broader audiences through information and communication products/pieces (i.e. bulletins, dashboards, feature stories, photographs/videos, websites, etc.).
• Liaise with OCHA field offices and recipient organizations in order to disseminate full information on Fund activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the OCHA Head of Office. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: : Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance and related humanitarian issues. 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. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g., civil strife, natural disasters, and human misery). Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field. A…