BACKGROUND

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Papua New Guinea – home to 50% of the population of the Pacific region – faces a variety of challenges with humanitarian consequences as a result of regular natural disasters (earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, frost, drought, tsunamis), conflicts, civil strife and governance issues. The hazard profile of Papua New Guinea comprises frequent localized disasters affecting specific communities and regions although there have also been less frequent large-scale disasters such as the 2015/16 El Niño-induced drought and frost and the 2018 Highlands Earthquake. National and sub- national capacities for and investment in disaster risk management remain weak. There is broad variation in national, provincial, and local capacities to plan for and effectively respond to humanitarian emergencies. The need to strengthen co-ordination and communication between national and provincial institutions responsible for humanitarian planning, preparedness, response, and recovery, remains a priority.

Following the departure of UN OCHA from Papua New Guinea in June 2015, UNDP assumed the role of humanitarian response coordination in addition to its overall responsibility to conduct operational activities for disaster mitigation, prevention, and preparedness. This humanitarian response coordination role includes contingency planning, managing information sharing and coordination of international humanitarian partners’ interventions. It is the focal point for emergencies within the UN System and provides secretariat support to the UN Resident Coordinator, UN Country Team, Disaster Management Team, Inter-Cluster Coordination Group and, as appropriate, the National Disaster Centre. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Humanitarian Affairs Specialist will report to UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator on all humanitarian affairs. The position will support the project team with strategic Programme coordination and broader harmonization with other UNDP, United Nations and development partner activities that support disaster preparedness and response in Papua New Guinea. The incumbent will also work closely with the regional offices of OCHA and UNDRR and assists the Resident Coordinator in his/her leadership role vis-à-vis the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), the Disaster Management Team (DMT,) and with relevant stakeholders on issues related to on humanitarian affairs, humanitarian-development nexus and the broader disaster risk management agenda.

The Humanitarian Program Specialist (HAS) will provide the essential interface between the National Disaster Centre, UN Resident Coordinator, the UN system, members of DMT and other relevant Government offices and will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Capacity Building:

  • Facilitate and build relevant capacities at NDC to monitor and analyse in-country situations, with particular relevance to early warning indicators for any natural or human induced disasters.
  • Assist NDC in building and maintaining relationships with UN agencies, NGOs, governmental officials (at national and sub-national levels), and the media for effective information exchange and dissemination.
  • Provide insight to NDC in maintaining regular contact with Provincial Disaster Coordinators (PDCs) and relevant Government institutions (at the national and sub-national levels) and liaise for information sharing before, during and after disasters, and other required support
  • Assist NDC in organizing regular interagency Disaster Management Team (DMT) meetings including building relevant capacities within NDC to take over the role of DMT Secretariat.
  • Provide assistance to NDC capacities in definition, adoption and promulgation of country-specific emergency response preparedness approaches and to track progress.
  • In collaboration with NDC ensure mapping out and integrating existing multi-hazard early warning system feeds into NDC’s Emergency Ops Centre for early warning monitoring and triggering early action.
  • Provide technical support to NDC in leading interagency dialogues on the development of joint rapid needs assessments, analysis, and reporting capability.
  • Review and provide advice on matters regarding the safeguarding of humanitarian principles whilst ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
  • Provide technical support to government and DMT with facilitation of disaster simulation exercises.
  • Assist NDC with interagency contingency planning including monitoring humanitarian risks to ensure coordination arrangements are consistent and well-coordinated.
  • Ensure NDC capacities in developing timely and regular situation reports and identifying unmet needs of the affected populations.
  • Identify relevant capacities at NDC to prepare a range of core supporting material - reports, communications, briefings, case studies and presentations on the humanitarian situation and response.
  • Develop NDC capacities in development of key information management products, such as 4Ws, pre-positioned stockpile mapping, and contact lists.
  • Develop NDC capacities to gather and share data, plan humanitarian relief interventions, and evaluate results and to ensure the latest findings, lessons learned incorporated.
  • Identify NDC capacities to mobilize external resources for humanitarian responses.

    Humanitarian Coordination:

    • Monitor and analyse the humanitarian situation in-country, with particular relevance to early warning indicators for any natural or man-made disasters.
    • Ensure appropriate linkages and maintain relationships with UN agencies, NGOs, governmental officials (at national and sub-national levels), and the media to ensure the effective exchange and dissemination of current information.
    • Maintain regular contact with National Disaster Centre (NDC) and relevant Government institutions (at the national and sub-national levels) and liaise for information sharing, capacity building and any other support that might be required.
    • Assist UNRC’s humanitarian coordination and response role when required, in close collaboration with national authorities.
    • Provide assistance to UNRC with regular engagement with and briefings to development partners on the humanitarian situation in PNG, including preparedness and response gaps, achievements, and constraints.
    • Together with relevant NDC staff, organize interagency Disaster Management Team (DMT) meetings in coordination with NDC and UNRC.
    • Support UNRC and Director NDC in their roles as DMT Co-chairs by providing secretariat support to DMT.
    • Bridge the gap and build formal ties between DMT’s humanitarian coordination mechanisms and the National Disaster Committee.
    • Strengthen the humanitarian coordination mechanism and systems including support to and strengthening the standing informal Humanitarian Cluster system.
    • Support UNRC in ensuring the safeguarding of humanitarian principles.
    • In collaboration with NDC provide insight in organizing working groups, meetings, conferences and consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian-related matters.
    • Support NDC in conducting lessons learned reviews to help the government and DMT members learn from experience, and to incorporate these lessons into existing systems.

      Reporting and Information Management:

      • Develop timely and regular situation reports on emergency situations to key audiences (e.g., local and international humanitarian community, UN agencies, government officials and donor partners), and identifying unmet needs in affected populations.
      • Report as required on major events with humanitarian scope and in line with reporting needs.
      • Prepare a range of core supporting material - reports, communications, briefings, case studies and presentations on the humanitarian situation and response.
      • Support the development of key information management products, such as 3Ws, pre-positioned stockpile mapping, and contact lists.
      • Engage with other humanitarian partners to gather and share data, evaluate humanitarian interventions for gap analysis and ensure the latest findings, lessons learned, socio-political factors and cultural/gender norms are incorporated.
      • Support the production of strategic resource mobilization documents (e.g., humanitarian response plans, flash appeals, etc.) and monitor the appropriate channelling and spending of donor contributions in consultation with UN OCHA.
      • When required, support UNRC, UNCT and DMT with development of Central Emergency Response
      • Fund (CERF) applications and reporting, in close consultation with UNOCHA.

        Project Implementation:

        • Contribute to the preparation of annual reports (UNDP and UN system), with the focus on humanitarian coordination.
        • Represent UNDP and act as a resource person in workshops, conferences and in meetings, and the wider donor community, if required.
        • Ensure that implementation of activities are in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
        • Contribute to development and implementation of appropriate M&E mechanisms.
        • Provide technical input to the design of DRM systems, procedures, framework, and guidelines as needed.
        • Provide technical input to the design of a capacity-building strategy and Programme for government staff at all levels to ensure coherent implementation of regulatory framework and procedures.

          Other(s) Duties:

          • Other duties and responsibilities that may arise to support the successful delivery of the Humanitarian Advisory Team (HAT) Project and humanitarian response.

            Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

            • Humanitarian Affairs Specialist will supervise Humanitarian Coordination Officer, Humanitarian Coordination Assistant, National Information Management Officer, International Information Management Officer, Project Admin & Finance Associate, Humanitarian Officer – Communication Community Engagement and Accountability & Project Driver. 

              QUALIFICATIONS

              Education:

              • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in humanitarian affairs, emergency management, public administration, international studies, social science, earth sciences or a related field.

                Experience, Knowledge, and Skills: 

                • A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, development, or other related area.
                • Practical experience in development cooperation in crisis affected areas. 
                • Proven experience in partnership building and networking with stakeholders. 
                • Demonstrated knowledge of and experience applying RBM methodologies and tools (i.e. project and programme management, design and implementing monitoring systems, managing evaluations and analytical report writing);  
                • Knowledge and Experience in Programme Finance is an asset.
                • Thorough knowledge of UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures is essential
                • Knowledge of UNDP’s ERP and CPS platforms is an asset.
                • Good understanding of UNDP policies, procedures, programming modalities is an asset.
                • Demonstrated knowledge and experience applying risk management systems
                • Experience in PNG, the Pacific region or in a Small Island Developing State is desirable.
                • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
                • Demonstrated experience in managing and leading teams.

                  Language Requirements:

                  •  Fluency in written and spoken English Language is required.

                    COMPETENCIES

                    Core Competencies:

                    • Achieve Results:  LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
                    • Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
                    • Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
                    • Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
                    • Act with Determination:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
                    • Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
                    • Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

                      People Management Competencies: 

                      • UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

                        Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

                        Business Management: Results-based Management

                        • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at impro􀁙ed performance and demonstrable results

                          Business Management: Partnerships Management

                          • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

                            Partnership management: Resource Mobilization

                            • Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements

                              Business Management: Client Management

                              • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. 
                              • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. 
                              • Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
                              • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns

                                Business Management: Portfolio Management

                                • Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment

                                  Business Direction and Strategy: Systems Thinking

                                  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

                                    Finance: Financial planning and budgeting

                                    • Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing and reporting

                                      Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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                                      Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

                                      UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

                                      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.

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