Regional Humanitarian Affairs Officer; Disasters & Conflicts, Nairobi

Regional Humanitarian Affairs Officer; Disasters & Conflicts, Nairobi

Closing date: Saturday, 8 November 2014

More vacancies from:

Organization

UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

Country

Kenya

City

Nairobi, Kenya

Office

UNEP Nairobi

Grade

P-4

United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Avenue, Gigiri
PO Box 30552, 00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (254-20) 7621234
Fax: (254-20) 7624489/90

Posting Title: REGIONAL HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER; DISASTERS & CONFLICTS,, P4
Job Code Title: PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER
Department/ Office: United Nations Environment Programme
Duty Station: NAIROBI
Posting Period: 9 September 2014-8 November 2014
Job Opening number: 14-PGM-UNEP-36905-R-NAIROBI (R)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
This position is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira 'Need Help?' link.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This post is located in the Nairobi Duty Station.
Responsibilities
The incumbents will be under the direct supervision of the Chief, Post-Conflict and Disasters Management Branch (PCDMB) and overall supervision of the Regional Director or Division Director, respectively. Within delegated authority, the incumbents will be responsible for the following duties:

• Serves as a senior policy officer, advising UNEP, and particularly the UNEP Coordinator for the Disasters and Conflicts Sub-programme, on overall policy direction in the region on specific issues; and, more generally, reviewing and providing advice on a diverse range of policy issues in the region related to humanitarian affairs as they relate to the environment;
• Coordinates the regional input into UNEP's programming related to the environmental dimension of crisis risk reduction and post-crisis initiatives;
• Serves as the primary UNEP focal point in the region on the environmental dimension of crisis risk reduction and post-crisis initiatives and related policy issues, drawing on knowledge of the impact of humanitarian activities on the environment; keeps abreast of latest developments; liaises with other humanitarian organizations an donors;
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management programmes or emergency situations in assigned country/area, identifying where best an environmental dimension is warranted;
• Facilitates a coordinated approach in the region to the environmental dimension within international humanitarian/emergency assistance of complex emergency/disaster situations and in large, complex projects; ensures necessary support (such as staff, funding, specialized equipment or supplies, among others); prepares situation reports to the international community, apprising of situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries;
• Assists in the integration of an environmental dimension to the production of appeals within the UN system for international assistance; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA in relation to the environmental dimension of such assistance;
• Coordinates in collaboration with the relevant UNEP division(s), UNEP's work in the region to assist Member States in capacity-building, technical cooperation and technical assistance for handling the environmental dimension of emergency situations and disaster response preparedness; develops region and country-specific recommendations based on the analysis of pertinent information;
• Ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting on UNEP's work in the region related to the environmental dimension of crisis risk reduction and post-crisis;
• Organizes and prepares strategies on the environmental aspects of humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues for the region; organizes follow-up work in the region, including inter-agency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues; and ensures the implementation of recommendations emanating from relevant reports;
• Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions or media, among others; ensures appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UN system, including on early warning and contingency planning, as it relates to the interface of the; environment and humanitarian activities;
• Organizes and participates in relevant work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters;
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of the environmental dimension of a wide range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response. Demonstrated problem- solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Knowledge of region or country of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to environment and humanitarian affairs and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations. Ability to relate humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, economic, social and human rights programmes in affected country/region.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
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.
Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be 'clients' and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environment or development related field is required. A first university degree with a combination of two years professional and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or post conflict issues in Africa.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and French is required.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment
which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
No Fee
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.
Follow link to apply https://inspira.un.org/psc/UNCAREERS/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Page=UN_JOB_DETAIL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=36905