The position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), 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 position-specific job opening is being advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Access/Civil-Military Coordination in Nairobi, Kenya. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, OCHA ROSEA. The incumbent reports to the Head of the Emergency, Preparedness and Response (EPR) Unit.

This position will require regular surge deployments within and potentially outside the region. Candidates are expected to be available and willing to surge for up to three months at a time.

Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Access/Civil-Military Coordination) will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Humanitarian Access:
a) Supports in developing and implementing access strategies for contexts in the region, including actor mapping, context analysis and analysis of access dynamics in the region.
b) Supports negotiations with relevant stakeholders to establish/maintain humanitarian access (both cross-line and cross-border) and resolve any arising constraints, while working to promote a principled, coordinated approach to access and share best practice with partners to ensure effective humanitarian access strategies across the region and in priority countries.
c) Supports the maintenance of up-to-date access and conflict data, including access tracking, reporting and analysis, providing timely analysis and updates to various regional and in country coordination forums and key stakeholders.

2. Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination:
a) Establishes the necessary links with military officers in relevant military forces, and personnel in UN agencies and NGOs, to undertake Civil-Military coordination in the region and in priority countries, including with training institutes in the region.
b) Serves as focal point for policy related to civil-military coordination in close consultation with the Head of EPR.
c) Leads, if applicable, the development of country-specific guidelines on civil-military relations, based on the current "Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets in Disaster Relief" and "Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets to Support UN Humanitarian Activities in Complex Emergencies", as well as the "IASC Reference Paper on Civil-Military Relationship in Complex Emergencies", the IASC Discussion Paper and
Non-Binding Guidelines on the "Use of Military or Armed Escorts for Humanitarian Convoys", applicable Security Council resolutions and other relevant instruments.
d) Ensures that the country-specific guidelines, and the generic guidelines mentioned above are properly disseminated and understood by both the humanitarian actors and the military forces present, as well as by local actors, as appropriate. Promote and ensure adherence to the above Guidelines within the entire humanitarian community and advise on potential consequences if these principles are compromised.
e) Organises, with relevant and balanced Humanitarian and Military representation,
Workshops on Civil-Military relations, by advocating adherence to applicable guidelines and principles and focusing on positive examples, contribute to a positive working relationship between relevant international military and IASC members.

3. Humanitarian Affairs
a) Deploys on humanitarian surge and support missions in Southern and Eastern Africa as requested, including to facilitate: humanitarian access negotiations; Civil-Military Coordination, humanitarian operational coordination (e.g. chairing inter-cluster meetings); humanitarian financing proposals (e.g. CERF applications); implementation of preparedness actions (e.g. contingency plans); development of humanitarian needs overviews and appeals; and humanitarian needs assessments.
b) Supports humanitarian coordination in countries in the region as needed, including preparation of relevant agendas, background documentation and minutes.
c) Travels, as required, inside Mozambique to provide support to humanitarian operations.
d) Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in the region, particularly related to access and Civil-Military coordination.
e) Organizes and prepares, if requested, papers on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues, particularly related to access and Civil-Military coordination.
f) Organizes follow-up work, including interagency meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues, particularly related to access and Civil-Military coordination.
g) Drafts and prepares regular situation papers/reports highlighting relevant operational factors affecting the humanitarian situation and response efforts, particularly related to access and Civil-Military coordination.
h) 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., highlighting relevant policy and operational factors affecting access, Civil-Military coordination, the humanitarian situation and response efforts.
i) Assists in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of humanitarian appeals for countries in the region, including Humanitarian Needs Overviews (HNO) and Humanitarian Response Plans (HRP).
j) Ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues, particularly related to access and Civil-Military coordination, at regional and country level.
k) Reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to humanitarian access, safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance, at regional and country level.
l) Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes and help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations, particularly related to access and Civil-Military coordination.
m) Provides substantial support to sector / cluster working groups and facilitates exchange on cross-cutting issues, including gender, protection, accountability to affected people and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.
n) Establishes and maintains contacts with relevant authorities, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, etc. in support of humanitarian access and Civil-Military coordination at regional and country level.
o) Supports advocacy initiatives on issues impacting humanitarian needs and response efforts through the collection of information, liaison with humanitarian partners, government officials, the media, etc. in support of humanitarian access and Civil-Military coordination.
p) Undertakes and provides support to technical assistance and other field missions, e.g. leads inter-agency coordinated needs assessment missions and participates in field trips to review the humanitarian situation, response and coordination, etc. especially in support of humanitarian access and Civil-Military coordination.
q) Organizes and participates in working groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters, especially in support of humanitarian access and Civil-Military coordination.
r) Performs other duties as required.

Professionalism:
Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian issues, including with respect to humanitarian principles, humanitarian access, Civil-Military coordination and humanitarian coordination. Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response. Knowledge of humanitarian needs assessments tools and processes. Capacity to lead inter-agency humanitarian field missions in difficult locations. Ability to build strong networks with humanitarian partners. Knowledge of humanitarian delivery considerations, including ensuring accountability to affected people and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. 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.

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.

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 (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree is required.

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, , or other related area, of which at least three years of relevant experience living and working in countries (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations is required.

At least two (2) years in the past five (5) years of field experience (actual setting where a mission or project is being implemented) in aid operations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is required.

Experience in the regional context (especially Horn of Africa) is desirable.

Experience in undertaking access negotiations is desirable.

Experience in civil-military coordination with the UN, or experience in the military forces dealing with major humanitarian operations, is desirable.

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 an advantage.

The evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

This position is funded for a finite period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-general and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

External candidates (including OCHA temporary appointees and OCHA national field staff) who are selected for a position in field duty stations may be strategically placed on a fixed term appointment limited to a specific position or to a specific country office in accordance to the paragraph 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on the administration of fixed-term appointment which provides that an FTA may be granted to individuals who are "(b) Selected but not reviewed by a Secretariat review body for appointments limited to specific entities".

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.