Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which 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 temporary job opening is being advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Pooled Fund Manager and is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for Syria in Gaziantep, in Turkey.
OCHA Turkey is one of the three OCHA hubs working together to implement the Syria Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) collectively in the spirit of the whole of Syria. OCHA Turkey coordinates cross-border humanitarian assistance delivered from Turkey to Syria as mandated by the UN Security Council resolutions 2449 (2018, formerly 2165 in 2014).
The Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Pooled Fund Manager will be responsible for the OCHA Humanitarian Financing Unit, providing support to the Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator (DRHC) in overseeing and managing the Syria Cross-border Humanitarian Fund (SCHF).
The Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Pooled Fund Manager reports to the Head of Office, OCHA Turkey.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Pooled Fund Manager, will be responsible for the following duties:
I. Fund Management and Coordination
• Under the supervision of the HoO, advise the DRHC on the management of the Syria Cross-border Humanitarian Fund (SCHF) and CERF Allocations;
• Manage the OCHA Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU) where the SCHF sits;
• Manage and oversee fund allocation processes ensuring necessary coordination with relevant counterparts in line with the Terms of Reference and/or allocation guidelines (i.e. Review Committees, Advisory Boards, cluster or sector leads; humanitarian organizations; and OCHA);
• Manage the overall administration of the Fund and liaise as necessary with relevant OCHA HQ sections (i.e. OCHA Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), OCHA Country-based Pooled Fund Section (CBPFS) and OCHA Administrative Services Branch (ASB), OCHA External Relations and Partnerships Section (ERPS));
• Monitor the implementation of Fund allocation strategies as endorsed by the HC/DHC, in consultation with OCHA HoO, promoting coherence between humanitarian needs and response;
• Lead in policy development, including the review and analysis of humanitarian financing and programming issues at the country level, ensuring proper coordination with CBPFS;
• Ensure implementation and compliance with policies and standard guidelines in accordance with DRHC decisions and HQ guidance;
• Ensure proper communication and support during the allocation and other relevant processes to all stakeholders;
• Support fund recipient organizations throughout project life-cycle, promoting compliance with applicable rules in the Fund’s Operational Manual and other relevant governance documents;
• Liaise with contributing donors in and outside the country as necessary;
• Ensure coordination and information exchange with donors to promote coordinated and complementary use of funds (including CERF when appropriate);
• Represent the Fund to stakeholders (NGOs, UN Agencies, donors) and other external actors as required;
• Oversee the monitoring of the funded projects to promote the knowledge and appropriate use of the Fund in line with its Terms of Reference; field visits should focus engagement with key actors (e.g. OCHA field staff, fund recipient organizations, local officials, community representatives).
II.Financial management
• Under the supervision and in support of the Head of Office, advises on financial management related to the Fund;
• Oversee recipient organizations’ compliance with applicable financial rules;
• Ensure that verification activities of fund recipients’ financial oversight are taking place according to the provision stated in the Operational Manual of the Fund;
• Oversee the yearly audits of NGOs and analysis of their results, to ensure compliance with financial rules and regulations and disseminate lessons learned;
III.Compliance and Risk Management
• Advise the DRHC and the HoO on risk management and risk mitigation;
• Oversee the development, update and implementation of the fund’s risk management framework;
• Ensure that grant agreements and supporting documents are accurate, consistent and in compliance with OCHA’s guidelines and the Fund’s Operating Manual;
• Ensure implementation and compliance with policies and standard guidelines in accordance with HC/DHC decisions and HQ guidance;
• Support fund recipient organizations throughout project life-cycle promoting compliance with applicable rules stated;
• Support the audit of the Fund by the Board of Auditors ensuring due consultation with relevant HQ sections;
• Activate, when needed, OCHA’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Suspected Fraud and Misuse of Funds.
• Activate, when needed, OCHA’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Response to Concerns of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse involving Implementing Partners of Country- based Pooled Funds.
IV.Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation:
• Ensure compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements in place for the Fund;
• Ensure narrative and financial reporting compliance from the start to the closure of each project in line with the risk management framework;
• Oversee and ensure timely project reporting cycle, including the annual report of the Fund;
• Systematically provide information on project status to the HC/DHC, the HoO, donors and relevant governing bodies of the Fund;
• Support the preparation of evaluations, reviews and studies as requested by the DRHC and governing bodies ensuring due consultation with relevant HQ sections (CBPFS, CERF, APMB);
• Ensure timely upload of all relevant information and data in the Grant Management System (GMS) by the HFU staff, realizing the full potential of the digital Information Management system developed by OCHA pooled funds.
V.Analysis, communications and public information:
• Oversee the development and update periodic analyses of humanitarian financing information, funding trends and requirements, gathering data from all relevant sources;
• Liaise with stakeholders aiming at the largest dissemination of information about the scope, the access and the allocation process of the Fund;
• In collaboration with relevant OCHA Office and OCHA HQ sections ensure appropriate dissemination of information about the Fund through different communication products (i.e. bulletins, feature stories, photographs/videos, websites, CBPF Annual Report etc.);
• Perform other duties as assigned by the OCHA Head of Office.
VI.Donors relations
• Strengthen relationship with current donors to ensure a consistent flow of information and timely reporting on OCHA’s activities and programme requirements;
• Develop key strategic partnerships with new donors to achieve a broader donor base for Country-Based Pooled Fund, the Humanitarian Response Plan and OCHA;
• Conduct and update periodic analyses of humanitarian financing information, funding trends and requirements, gathering data from all relevant sources;
• Support policy development, including the review and analysis of humanitarian issues at the country level, ensuring proper coordination with the Humanitarian Financing and Resource Mobilization Division;
• Ensure coordination and information exchange with other donors aiming to promote coordinated and complementary use of funds (including CERF when appropriate);
Competencies
• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of wide range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian 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 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. 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.
• 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.
• JUGDMENT & DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in humanitarian or development affairs, social sciences, public administration, international studies, economics or a related field, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, project management, budget management, or related area is required;
- Experience in humanitarian emergencies in the field is required;
- Experience in areas of direct and remote project management, monitoring and evaluation, and administration is required;
- Experience in team management and leadership is required;
- Experience in risk management and compliance is desirable;
- Experience in grants management and in the design of logical frameworks, including remote monitoring of humanitarian assistance is desirable;
- Experience in the design of policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance is desirable;
- Experience with the UN common system is desirable;
- Experience in working with local NGOs and capacity strengthening initiatives desirable;
- Experience in the Middle East is desirable.
Languages
French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
• The appointment/assignment is for the duration of 364 days, with the possibility of extension, subject to availability of funds and mandate extension. The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.
• Please note that due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by national authorities, selected candidates may be required to start the assignment/appointment remotely, in agreement with the hiring manager, and until further notice.
• Please note that the appointment/assignment of the successful candidate will be subject to visa issuance.
• A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further “stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…” Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources Management where no other suitable candidate could be identified.
• Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat.
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions.
• The expression “Internal candidates”, shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15.
• Please note that 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.
• For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1.
• The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.
• Staff members are not eligible to apply for the current temporary job opening if they are unable to serve the specified duration of temporary need before reaching the mandatory age of separation. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
IMPORTANT: Candidates found suitable and not selected for the announced duty station, may be selected for deployment to other duty stations. The selection will be for similar functions with similar requirements at the same level.
United Nations Considerations
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.
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.
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.