Humanitarian Affairs Analyst, UNOCHA

I. Position Information

Title: Humanitarian Affairs Analyst, UNOCHA Type of Contract: Fixed Term Appointment (Local) Level: NOB Direct Supervisor:Head of Mogadishu Office Duty station:Mogadishu Duration:One Year (with possibility of extension)

II. Organizational Context

Over the past sixteen years Somalia has experienced a series of widespread conflicts and natural disasters (droughts and flood) resulting in massive death, displacement, the collapse of community support structures, and the disruption of livelihoods. During the period between February and April 2007 violence in Mogadishu intensified and resulted in large-scale population movement out of the capital to other parts of South Central Somalia. Following the holding of a national reconciliation congress in July, which was boycotted by opposition groups, and efforts by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to establish itself in the capital, instability and violence in Mogadishu is again on the rise.

The direct effects of the conflict, combined with poor Gu rains which have resulted in the lowest cereal production in Somalia’s ‘breadbasket’ regions in a decade, have caused a sudden dramatic deterioration in the humanitarian situation in South Central. Up to 1.5 million Somalis, primarily in South Central are now in need of life-saving assistance

The response of OCHA and the Somalia Inter-Agency Standing Committee has been a mix of humanitarian and recovery/transitional initiatives that seek to:

1) Save lives, alleviate suffering and increase access to basic humanitarian services for populations at risk and strengthen their resiliency to better withstand natural or conflict related disasters. 2) Enhance the protection of, and respect for, the human rights and dignity of affected populations. 3) Strengthen local capacity for social service delivery and response to natural or conflict-related disaster. Given the challenging and worrying context of Somalia, OCHA will continue to play a key role to support the Humanitarian Coordinator in mobilization and coordination of an effective and principled humanitarian response. OCHA is particularly concerned that vulnerable communities and those at risk from natural disasters and conflict receive humanitarian assistance and protection, which meet their assessed needs and enable them to rebuild sustainable livelihoods. Under the leadership of the UN Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator for Somalia, OCHA maintains an office in Nairobi and a strong field presence inside Somalia; the primary objectives of OCHA Somalia include the following:

1. Advocate for access to basic services, especially water, sanitation, education and health for vulnerable communities, including collection, analysis and dissemination of information and negotiation of access.
2. Coordinate the implementation of humanitarian response in Somalia with UN agencies and programmes, national and international NGOs and local authorities/communities as appropriate with focus on strengthening the Cluster Approach.
3. Enhance a protective environment that respects the human rights of all, including IDPs, returnees and minority clan.

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Mogadishu Office the Humanitarian Affairs Analyst will play a key role in ensuring the primary objectives of OCHA Somalia are met. This is expected to occur by contributing to the following:

Summary of Key Functions:

 Analyse humanitarian situation  Develop and implement proper strategies which will be suitable with local contexts  Develop and maintain coordination and cooperation mechanisms among stakeholders  Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management

1. Analyse humanitarian situation

• Gather information on issues affecting the humanitarian situation, including political, security, social and economic developments, with a special emphasis on their impact on vulnerability, displacement and protection.

• Provide analysis of the operating environment, with the aim of assisting in the establishment of accepted frameworks for engagement and disengagement in areas of conflict.

1. Develop and implement proper strategies which will be suitable with local contexts

• Facilitate the development and implementation of strategies aimed at building the capacity of local authorities and communities to better respond to humanitarian crisis.

• Assist in the development of appropriate strategies to improve the application of humanitarian principles and develop ground rules for humanitarian interventions.

• Support the development of strengthened protection strategies in the relevant area of operation, in particular for women, children, minorities and displaced communities.

1. Develop and maintain coordination and cooperation mechanisms among stakeholders

• Support existing coordination mechanisms and assist in the establishment of new field coordination for a wherever required.

• Liaise closely with the Office of the UNDSS, UN agencies, NGO’s and other partners to ensure a safe and effective operating environment.

• Facilitate and support the coordination of humanitarian interventions through developing routine information and idea exchange with local and international aid actors, and participating in and facilitating joint field assessments, evaluations and routine monitoring mechanisms

• Support, in collaboration with UN agencies, NGOs and other local partners, the development and monitoring of the implementation of the Common Humanitarian Action Plan in the relevant area of operation.

• Seek ways to improve the participation of local actors in the relevant area of operation, including authorities, beneficiaries, and civil society, in the planning and implementation of aid activities.

1. Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management

• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals. • Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners. • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

IV. Impact of Results The key results have an impact on the success of identifying humanitarian and access issues specific to the Region of responsibility. In particular, the key results have an impact on strong partnerships with relevant parties to help meet OCHA’s objectives with respect to overall policy initiatives and coordination of humanitarian and emergency assistance.

V. Competencies Functional Competencies:

Level 1.2: preparing information for advocacy  Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UN’s priorities  Maintains a functioning network of contacts with a variety of stakeholders to promote a better understanding of OCHA’s development agenda and to support advocacy efforts

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Level 1.2: Contributes into results through primary research and analysis  Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration  Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation  Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development  Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly

Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 1.2: Maintaining a network of contacts  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

Level 1.2: Enhancing processes or products  Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things  Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Resource Mobilization

Level 1.2: Providing inputs to resource mobilization strategy  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  Provides data and information needed for preparation of fund raising activities and resource mobilization documents ensuring needs of donors are met

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 1.2: Basic research and analysis  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 Level 1.2: Fundamental knowledge of own discipline  Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position  Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks  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 UNDP’s Goals

Level 1.2.: Preparing information for global advocacy  Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for UN’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 UN’s priorities and to support advocacy efforts

Client Orientation

Level 1.2: Establishing effective client relationships  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 team work  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

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education: • Master’s Degree or equivalent in political science, sociology, law or international relations or related field with 2 years of relevant experience. • A first level university degree in political science, sociology, law, international relations or related field with 4 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience: • Relevant experience at the national or international level preferably in complex emergency and inter-agency contexts, dealing with relief and transitional issues is a requirement.

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language requirements: • Fluency in English is desirable • Knowledge of Somali and Arabic is desirable.

How to apply:

“Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit electronic application by visiting http://jobs.undp.org/.