UN JPO Assignment: Humanitarian Affairs Officer (x1) – Eastern and Southern AfricaUnited

Organization/Office: United Nations / Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) / Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa (ROSEA) / Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Duration: The assignment is intended for a minimum duration of 2 years. The initial appointment is for 1 year, renewable based on performance and availability of funds. A reassignment to a different position prior to the conclusion of the second year will not be possible unless expressly indicated in the Terms of Reference.

I. Supervision

Title of Supervisor: Head of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Unit

Content and Methodology of Supervision:

• Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will work jointly with their direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed upon by the JPO and their supervisor.
• Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve as a primary platform to evaluate the JPO’s performance.

II. Duties, Responsibilities, and Output Expectations

Within delegated authority, and in consultation with the Head of EPR for ROSEA, the Junior Professional Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Humanitarian Surge Support: Undertake travel for humanitarian surge in Southern and Eastern Africa as requested, including to support humanitarian operational coordination, humanitarian financing proposals (e.g., CERF applications), preparedness actions (e.g., contingency plans), development of humanitarian needs overviews and appeals, and needs assessments.
• Research and Analysis: Research, analyze, and present information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues and trends that may affect the humanitarian situation and related operations, disaster relief/management programmes, or emergency situations in Southern and Eastern Africa.
• Documentation and Reporting: Contribute to the preparation of various written documents and support meetings convened by ROSEA, e.g., drafts sections of reports, background papers, agendas, meeting minutes, etc.
• Reference and Resource Information: Develop and maintain reference/resource information on specific topics or policy-related issues; respond to various inquiries and information requests internally and externally.
• Appeals and Resource Mobilization: Assist in the production of appeals for international assistance; ensure the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA.
• Event Organization: Assist in the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops, etc., with other agencies and partners to facilitate exchanges of professional expertise and views on specific humanitarian-related subjects/issues; serve as reporter to such events.

III. Qualifications and Experience

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 is required.

Work Experience: A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, or development is required. Experience in the Southern and/or Eastern Africa region is desirable.

Languages: English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required; knowledge of French and/or Arabic is an advantage. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: 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.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

IV. Learning Elements

Upon completion of the assignment, the JPO will have acquired:

• A comprehensive understanding of humanitarian coordination mechanisms and emergency response strategies in the Southern and Eastern Africa region.
• Practical experience in the development and implementation of humanitarian financing proposals, including CERF applications.
• Knowledge and skills in the preparation and analysis of humanitarian needs overviews and appeals.
• Experience in conducting needs assessments and providing technical assistance in disaster response and preparedness.

V. Background Information

This position is located in the Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa (ROSEA). OCHA is 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 to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention; and facilitate sustainable solutions.

The EPR unit is at the core of the OCHA ROSEA work and is expanding its area of work to adopt and explore new opportunities and workstreams to face the challenges of increasing humanitarian need in the region. The JPO will be involved in various aspects of the EPR work to increase their exposure and knowledge and, through ongoing discussions, identify areas of interest that the JPO can focus on.

The JPO will work in the EPR unit and will be provided with an opportunity to learn humanitarian work, particularly through a hands-on approach, learning by doing. The Office has adopted a shadowing/buddy system approach to accompany junior officers in their career development. Tasks assigned to them will vary, and the aim is to provide exposure to different thematic areas.

Regular travel on surge within and potentially outside the region will be required. Candidates are expected to be available and willing to surge for up to three months at a time. To apply and for further information visit the link here.

Note: This position is a Junior Professional Officer (JPO) role under the United Nations JPO Programme. The JPO Programme is a career development programme for young professionals who are committed to a career in international development and humanitarian work.

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