The situation in Somalia remains fragile with continued political instability, climatic variability, and lack of basic social services. In 2011 and 2017, drought has impacted Somalia and Hirshabelle was one of the most affected. Conflict continues to result in humanitarian consequences and limit access. Almost every year, floods affect Hirshabelle State, resulting in loss of livelihoods, displacement and related implications in both regions Hiraan and Middle Shabelle. OCHA’s role is to coordinate effective and principled inter-agency humanitarian response and ensure that relief assistance reaches the people who need it on time. While there was adequate coverage in Hiraan region, Middle Shabelle has always suffered inadequate and late response due to lack of OCHA presence to heighten the advocacy. In line with OCHA’s global mission, OCHA Somalia continues to:
Under the overall guidance of the Head of Field Coordination/HAO through the Head of the Hirshabelle Sub-Office, the HAO is expected to have comprehensive knowledge on the issues in Hirshabelle State, especially Middle Shabelle operating from Jowhar; and Somalia as a whole. He/she is expected to play a critical role in ensuring the primary objectives of OCHA Somalia are met.
Summary of key functions:
- Setting up and running an OCHA antenna office
- Information Collection in support of Humanitarian Analysis and Response,
- Information Sharing
- Development of coordination and cooperation mechanisms among stakeholders
- Monitoring and Reporting
- Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing
Setting up and running OCHA antenna office that works with the government, partners and vulnerable populations/beneficiaries of aid.
- Establish an OCHA antenna office that delivers the full suite of OCHA functions;
- Undertake the necessary administrative and programmatic demands to keep the office functioning at its optimum;
- Work closely with the government humanitarian focal point ministry and other entities as necessary;
- Work closely with humanitarian stakeholders (UN and NGOs), and strongly advocate for timely response and physical presence to fulfil point number 4 below.
Provide accurate Information Collection in support of Humanitarian Analysis and Response, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Review incoming field reports, prepare summaries of field activities and important flag issues to senior management;
- Actively participate in the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HNO, HRP, etc.), and any other strategic planning and field analysis initiatives that involve field input and analysis;.
- Gather and verify information on issues affecting the humanitarian situation, emphasizing opportunities for response;
- Supports regional analysis and interface with the Assessments working group to extract key action points that need to follow up from assessments undertaken and the humanitarian Dashboard.
Assist in facilitation of information sharing among partners focusing on achievement of the following:
- Pro-actively share information with OCHA and relevant stakeholders on pertinent issues.
- Identify key pieces of information that will assist with organizational decision-making with a particular focus on improving humanitarian response.
Support the development of coordination and cooperation mechanisms among stakeholders focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Support existing coordination mechanisms and assist in the establishment of new field coordination wherever required;
- Establish relationships with key stakeholders, including non-traditional humanitarian actors, in areas of operation to ensure the humanitarian information flow from OCHA to partners and vice versa and ensure their participation in operations;
- Strengthen the cluster system through coordination, individual or joint assessments, individual or collective responses, etc.
Provide proper monitoring and reporting focusing on achievement of the following:
- Support the collection of field information to monitor and improve ongoing response, coordination activities and information products;
- Prepare succinct reports on the key humanitarian issues in the districts and workings with district-level partners to provide analysis on response gaps and advocacy issues.
Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Identification of sources of information related to coordination;
- Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals;
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Impact of Results
The key results have an impact on the overall coordination of humanitarian and emergency assistance. The root causes of the humanitarian/emergencies are appreciated, ensuring that strong and effective responses are mounted. This facilitates operational agencies in succeeding in their core objectives, the building of strong partnerships with relevant parties and the achievement of OCHA’s objectives.
Advocacy
- Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating OCHA’s priorities
Results-Based Programme Development and Management
- Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration
- Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation
Building Strategic Partnerships
- Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues
- Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches
- Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
- Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
Resource Mobilization
- Collects, researches and analyzes information on resource mobilization and utilization, drafts reports and documents and maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors and donor-funded projects
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
- Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
- Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
- Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical speciality relating to the position
- Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
- Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
- Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments
Global Leadership and Advocacy for OCHA’s Goals
- Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for OCHA’s goals for a variety of audiences;
- Maintains a functioning network of contacts in the media and civil society, to promote a better understanding of OCHA’s priorities and to support advocacy efforts
Client Orientation
- Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
- Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
- Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients.
Core Competencies
- Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity
- Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
- Self-development, initiative-taking
- Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork
- Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
- Creating synergies through self-control
- Managing conflict
- Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
- Informed and transparent decision making
Education:
- Master’s Degree or equivalent in social science, emergency/disaster risk management, political science, law or international relations or related field is required;
- A first-level university degree in the subject mentioned above in combination with a minimum of two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum two years of professional experience, preferably in complex emergency and inter-agency contexts, dealing with relief and transitional issues;
- Familiarity with UN policies, rules and procedures, particularly concerning humanitarian response and coordination, and knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines about humanitarian assistance, especially the humanitarian reform agenda;
- Ability to research, analyze, evaluate and synthesize information;
- Ability to express clearly and concisely, ideas and concepts in written and oral form;
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Language requirements:
- Proficiency in both oral and written English is required
- Knowledge of Somali is a requirement
Important applicant information
All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension