Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in the Crisis Response Division (CRD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is 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 five (5) positions of Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Risk Management and Compliance) in OCHA Regional Humanitarian Financing Units, in Nairobi (Kenya), Panama City (Panama), Cox’s Bazaar (Bangladesh), Goma (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). Under the overall supervision of OCHA Head of Office, the incumbent reports to the Head of Humanitarian Finance Section/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 Risk Management and Compliance officer 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 (Risk Management and Compliance) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in assigned country/area which may impact performance of the Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU).
• Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues and organizes follow-up work management response related to audits and evaluations of Country-Based Humanitarian Pooled Funds.
• Establishes and maintains contacts with other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other key stakeholders to enable early detection of compliance issues in HFU funded projects and verifies prevention and control mechanisms.
• Undertakes and provides risk management and compliance training for implementing partners.
• Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc. related to risk management and compliance in the context of Country-Based Humanitarian Pooled Funds.
• Serves as the primary focal point on monitoring and risk management and compliance of the HFU, keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, etc., ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms in line with global country-based pooled fund guidelines.
• Reviews and provides advice to HFU on policy issues related to risk and compliance.
• Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
• Supports and monitors compliance by IPs with global policy requirements on accountability and risk management, leads the Eligibility Process and oversees response to non-compliance by IPs with contractual obligations and CBPF requirements.
• Provides technical capacity to respond to alleged and proven incidents of misconduct (financial misconduct or sexual exploitation and abuse) by IPs.
• Provides guidance to, and may supervise, new/junior staff.
• Performs other duties as required. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response. Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned country/area. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff. 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. 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. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Education An 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 first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job – Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related is required Experience in compliance and risk management is required. Experience in responding to fraud and/or Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) incidents is desirable. Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is desirable Experience in the region is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either Spanish or French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). Required Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking English UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III Desirable Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking Spanish UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III French UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice This temporary job opening (TJO) is published for five (5) positions and are…