Head of office (D-1), two posts: Sudan; Congo, Dem Rep of

This job opening is for two regular field-based posts within the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). One post is based in Sudan and the other one in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In addition to locally based senior UN authority, the both incumbents will also be reporting to the director of the Coordination Response Division in OCHA-New York.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, and under the overall leadership of the director of the Coordination Response Division (CRD) of OCHA and reporting directly to the UN RC/HC, the Head of Office will discharge and be responsible for the following functions:

Humanitarian policy:
- Serve as senior policy advisor to the UN RC/HC, the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the humanitarian country team on humanitarian principles and initiatives.
- Develop and maintain contacts with the international community in order to raise awareness and advocate for issues of humanitarian concerns.
- Act to strengthen cooperation among the humanitarian community on policy issues of inter-agency concern and serve as a key interlocutor with relevant Government partners.
- Advise, promote and provide guidance to the UN RC/HC, the UNCT and the humanitarian county team on humanitarian reform initiatives including cluster coordination, humanitarian financing, etc. humanitarian prrogramming / coordination.
- Provide strategic support to the UN RC/HC in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the work plan of the humanitarian community (usually expressed thought the CHAP/CAP), soliciting and negotiating inputs with relevant authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, etc.
- Consult on a regular basis with the HC, heads of UN agencies and programmes, NGOs heads of mission, the government and the donor community on all appropriate aspects of the implementation and delivery of humanitarian activities, to ensure that coordination structures at local, provincial and national levels operate in a coherent and cost-effective manner. 
- Support the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of humanitarian programs, facilitating incorporation of lessons learned, policy guidelines etc. into humanitarian response activities. 
- Promote best practices in humanitarian planning, response and evaluation.
- Facilitate inter-agency resource mobilization efforts, including the provision of specialized international assistance to respond to ongoing as well as new and /or emerging emergencies.
- Develop, reinforce and maintain effective coordination mechanisms with the humanitarian county team and other key humanitarian stakeholders.
- Establish / manage information management systems to effectively map areas of humanitarian needs and response activities in support of coordination efforts.
- Foster and reinforce linkages between field monitoring, information management and coordination efforts.
- Ensure timely and appropriate assistance to the UN RC/HC and (if applicable) the United Nations Disaster Management Teams (UNDMT) in response to disasters and emergencies.
- Support inter-agency efforts to build in-country UN capacity to manage natural disaster response.
- Provide substantive support and leadership to government institutions and local humanitarian entities to build national capacity for emergency and/or disaster management.
- Promote dialogue, regional alliances, sharing of knowledge and resources, among national and, as appropriate, regional humanitarian actors in disaster risk reduction, disaster/emergency preparedness and response.
- Promote and lead contingency planning processes in close cooperation with UNDMT and Regional Disaster Reduction Advisers (RDRA) as applicable.
- Develop joint initiatives on disaster management with other UN and (if applicable) regional actors; including early warning mechanisms.
- Under the overall guidance of the Director of the CRD and in partnership with other branches of OCHA, work to reinforce regional networks and mechanisms for swift, effective response to emerging humanitarian situations.

Office management / OCHA representation:
- Serve as the OCHA Head of Office in designated duty station, providing oversight of all programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the efficient functioning of the OCHA office and any sub-offices, and being accountable for the use of resources and for the results obtained.
- Lead work planning and budgeting process, support resource mobilization and ensure sound financial management.
- Ensure regular and effective supervision of OCHA staff, particularly by leading, managing, developing, and training staff; foster teamwork and communication amongst staff; and strengthen linkages between the staff in field, regional and headquarters offices. 
- Promote OCHA's mandate, objectives and tools in the designated area through contacts with the government, diplomatic missions, UN entities, non-governmental organizations and the media. 
- Ensure the office produces timely, high-quality outputs including comprehensive workplans, concise and factual situation reports, analytical papers, comprehensive and fact-based information products, etc.
- Perform other duties as requested by the UN RC/HC and / or Director of CRD.

Competencies

Professionalism:
- Expert knowledge of complex, multifaceted humanitarian affairs issues with wide exposure to humanitarian and emergency relief operations.
- Ability to advise the UN RC/HC as well as the OCHA's senior management team on tactical approaches and techniques to address complex and sensitive humanitarian issues.
- Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to thoroughly analyse and evaluate critical matters pertaining to a broad spectrum of humanitarian and emergency relief issues.
- Ability to effectively handle major policy and project development and its implementation.
- Ability to work under pressure including in insecure environments, while maintaining productivity and effectiveness.
- Excellent understanding of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to humanitarian affairs and of the institutions of the UN system, in particular, the mandate of OCHA as well as its core policies and guiding humanitarian principles.
- Ability to examine, edit, and provide analytical inputs and intellectual guidance for the work of others.

Planning and organising:
- Ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
- Aability to foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning.
- Ability to identify priority activities and adjust them as required.

Communication:
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (both verbally and in written); ability to demonstrate openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Ability to tailor language, tone, style and format to match the audience.

Judgement/Decision-making:
- Ability to identify the key issues in a complex situation, and come to the heart of the problem quickly.
- Ability to take decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the organization.
- Capacity to consider positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them.
- Ability to propose a course of action or make a recommendation based on all available information.

Leadership:
- Empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives.
- Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support.
- Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions.

Managing performance:
- Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority.
- Ability to ensure that roles and reporting lines are clear to each staff member.
- Ability to monitor progress against milestones and deadlines.
- Ability to judge the amount of time and human resources needed to accomplish a task and match task to skills.

Vision:
- Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals.
- Generates and communicates broad and compelling organisational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction.

Core values (integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity)

Education:
- An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in humanitarian related studies, political science, business or public administration, sociology, law, international relations, economics, management, or related area of studies.
- A first university degree (i. e. Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in one of the academic disciplines above in combination with qualifying relevant professional experience (at least seventeen (17) years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:
- Fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of humanitarian affairs, relief coordination, disaster management and response, complex emergencies and natural disasters, rehabilitation and development, inter-agency coordination, resource mobilization and advocacy, or in related area.
- Relevant professional experience must include at least seven (7) years at the international level, including considerable experience at a senior management level.
- Extensive professional experience within the UN common system is strongly desirable.
- Knowledge of OCHA institutional mandate, its policies, and organizational procedures as well as understanding of the core UN policies and guiding principles pertaining to international humanitarian affairs is desirable.

Languages

For the post based in Sudan, fluency in English is required. For the post based in Democratic Repubmic of the CONGO, fluency in English and French is required. A level of proficiency in the required languages will be tested during an interview process.

Assessment method

Suitable candidates will be tested during the competency-based interview.

Special notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or 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.