Back Senior National Coordination Officer

The position is based in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Islamabad, Pakistan, deployable to multiple duty stations across the country depending on needs.

Under the direct supervision of the Islamabad  Head of Humanitarian Advisory Team (HAT) and working as an integral part of the organization’s team, the incumbent will work in close collaboration with Government and relief/recovery partners and will support the formulation of strategies of engagement in support of the mandate of OCHA at both technical and operational levels. This will require liaison with relief and recovery agencies, central and local authorities, as well as other actors across areas of operation, to ensure effective and transparent coordination. S/he also provides support in monitoring and reporting of humanitarian situations on a regular basis.

In a broader context, the incumbent contributes to the UNOCHA ROAP Islamabad HAT Office’s support to the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Ensures effective coordination of relief/recovery response through adequate liaison with Government officials and partners in the field
• Analytical leadership, development and implantation of programme strategies/mechanisms
• Strengthen emergency preparedness measures
• Performs other duties that may be required by the supervisor or by the Head of Office.

Ensures effective coordination of relief/recovery response through adequate liaison with Government officials and partners in the field: 

• Supports the/ acts as head of Sub-Office in his/her areas of responsibility when required, including day-to-day management of staff and administration.
• Facilitates building sector-specific strategies and institutions that will address issues at the field level in collaboration with the Government and other partners;
• Ensures/supports the planning, implementation and strengthening of inclusive coordination in his/her area of responsibilities, identifies gaps and suggests corrective actions and ensures inclusion of cross-cutting issues, such as gender mainstreaming, etc.
• Depending on situation, leads/supports inter-agency coordination forums as well as other internal and government-led meetings, as required; 
• Establish/strengthen relations with Government and relief/recovery partners in the field to enhance coordination, information sharing, trust building, advocacy and knowledge transfer in all matters related to streamlining and strengthening coordination, preparedness and response;
• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;
• Identify and design training and capacity building initiatives in line with OCHA’s work plan and strategy. Organization of training for the operations/ projects staff, on programme issues.

Analytical leadership, development and implantation of programme strategies/mechanisms focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provide analysis and policy advice on current and emerging humanitarian and recovery issues;
• Assist in policy development, including the review and analysis of humanitarian issues in the field;
• Draft and prepare regular situation papers/reports highlighting relevant operational factors affecting the humanitarian situation and response efforts;
• Follow-up on relief and recovery issues identified by partners, provide inputs to discussions and present conclusions in reports;
• Support the development of strategies/mechanisms to strengthen the effectiveness and quality of cross sector initiatives.

Strengthens emergency preparedness measures including focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support disaster management activities, facilitating joint approaches with UN and partner agencies for assessments, planning and response. 
• Support to emergency information needs through coordinated reporting, emergency reporting and information analysis.
• Support inter-agency contingency planning and take the lead in matters related to natural disasters, including ensuring that the various contingency plans are updated, consistent and well-coordinated;
• Support the promotion of the common needs assessment tool and the coordination of humanitarian partners for undertaking assessments in the field;

Performs other duties that may be required by the supervisor or the Head of the Office.

 Results Expected:

• Key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of inclusive relief/recovery activities, creation of partnerships as well as ensuring the response reaches population affected by disasters and crises in a shortest possible time when they are in need. Strengthened coordination with local Government counterparts and relief/recovery partners which contributes to strong partnerships, information exchange and coherence and planning of needs assessments and responses thereto. Focused support to preparedness activities in support of the Government and the humanitarian community. A client-oriented and efficient approach impact on the image of OCHA in the country.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to OCHA’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.
• Positive and constructive attitude with ability to interact with all individuals regardless of gender, national and cultural background.

Functional Competencies:

Professionalism

• Ability to perform a broad range of program coordination activities aimed at effective and efficient functioning of coordination mechanisms and information management.  
• Solid problem-solving skills
• Ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data
• Ability to work with accuracy under time constrains and pressure in a stressful environment
• Ability to perform tactfully, confidentiality, takes initiative and proves good judgment
• Demonstrates strong IT skills

Communication

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors

Teamwork

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment and respects diversity.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues and shares knowledge to achieve organizational objectives.

Planning and Organizing

• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjust priorities as required
• Ability to plan own work and use time efficiently, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexity
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
• Leads effectively by example and shows conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work with minimum supervision in a multi-cultural environment.

Education:
 

• A completed advanced university degree (Masters) in Social Sciences, Economics ,International Relations, Political Science or related field with five (5) years of relevant experience

OR

• In lieu of the Masters degree, completed a first-level university degree(Bachelors) in Social Sciences, Economics, International Relations, Political Science with seven (7) years of relevant experience.

Experience:
 

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant work experience in a senior position, in the field of Humanitarian Affairs/ International development.
• Relevant experience in working with an UN agency or other humanitarian agency is desirable.
• Experience in the area of emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, humanitarian/development environment, field coordination is an asset. 

Language Requirements:

• Excellent oral and written command of English is required. 

Operational Skills:
 

• Excellent liaison, interpersonal and general communications skills;
• Ability to work with minimum supervision in a multi-cultural environment.
• Coordination and Information Management skills
• Training and or capacity building skills
• Presentation skills
• Excellent command of MS Office suite applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)

HEC attested degrees are a prerequisite for employment at UNDP. During the recruitment process candidates may be required to present HEC attested degrees.

Foreign Qualified Candidates: Foreign degree holders shall be required to (i) Present a verification/certification letter from the university verifying the degree & student enrollment, or (ii) Foreign degree Equivalence Letter from HEC.

UNDP provides the Equal Opportunity for all equally qualified male & female including the physically challenged candidates, female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply (local and internal VA)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) does not charge fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interviews, selection or induction etc. Moreover, UNDP does not concern itself with any information on the applicants bank accounts

"UNDP has zero tolerance towards Sexual Harassment (SH) and Sexual Exploitation & Abuse (SEA)”.

Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension