Bahrain/Switzerland (2 jobs): Humanitarian Affairs Officer, P3

May 26, 2015 | UNEP
View Original

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.

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

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. 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. These two posts are located in Geneva and Manama duty stations.

ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO SPECIFY IN THE COVER LETTER TO WHICH DUTY STATION THEY ARE APPLYING TO.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and within delegated authority of UNEP's Director for the Regional Office and under the technical supervision of DEPI, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

--Serves as a 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.

--In consultation with the Regional Director, coordinates the regional input into UNEP's programming related to the environmental dimension of crisis risk reduction and post-crisis initiatives.

--Draws on knowledge of the impact of humanitarian activities on the environment, serves as the primary focal point in the region on specific topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of latest developments; liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc.; ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues.

--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, donors, etc.

--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 (e.g. staff, funding, specialized equipment, supplies, etc.); 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.

--In consultation with the Regional Director, 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.

--Under the supervision of the Regional Director ,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 interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues; and ensures the implementation of recommendations emanating from relevant reports.

--Under the supervision of the Regional Director, establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.; ensures appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UN system, including on early warning and contingency planning, etc 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this postion, fluency in written and oral English is required. For the position to be based in Manama, knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

United Nations Considerations

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.

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.

Organization: UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme
Country: Switzerland
City: Geneva, Switzerland
Office: UNEP Geneva
Grade: P-3

Closing date: Monday, 20 July 2015
Posting Title: HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER (2 posts), P3
Job Code Title: HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER
Department/ Office: United Nations Environment Programme
Duty Station: GENEVA; MANAMA
Posting Period: 21 May 2015-20 July 2015
Job Opening number: 15-HRA-UNEP-43362-R-MULTIPLE D/S (R)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity