Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is 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 job opening is being advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Pooled Fund Manager) in Juba, South Sudan. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, OCHA South Sudan, The incumbent reports to the Head of the Humanitarian Funding Unit.

Responsibilities

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

• Support and advise the HC on the overall management of the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SSHF) 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 Funding Coordination Section (FCS), OCHA Administrative Services Branch (ASB) or Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF).
• Support and implement standardized policy in line with HQ guidance and decisions.
• Manage and supervise Fund-related support staff.
• Manage fund allocation processes ensuring necessary coordination with relevant counterparts in line with the SSHF Operational Manual and related global guidance (i.e. Review and/or Advisory Boards, cluster or sector leads, humanitarian organizations, and OCHA).
• 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, 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:
• Ensure compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements in place for the Fund;
• Systematically provide information on project status to the HoO and the HC, donors and relevant governing bodies of the Fund;
• Ensure timely overall project reporting, including the Funds consolidated annual report.
• Support OCHA South Sudan 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 (FCS, EGS). 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 FCS.
• 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, 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 & 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 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 professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, project management, budget management, or related area is required. Humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable. Experience in project administration, monitoring and evaluation is desirable. Experience in the design of policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance is desirable. Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN common system or in a comparable international organization is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. 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…