UN (United Nations)
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Posting Title: Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Accountability to Affected Populations), NOB
Job Code Title: Associate Human Rights Officer
Department/Office: Resident Coordinator System
Duty Station: KATHMANDU
Posting Period: 12 July 2022 – 26 July 2022
Job Opening Number: 22-Human Rights Affairs-RCS-185899-R- (E)
Staffing Exercise: N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Org. Setting and Reporting
The UN Secretary-General’s launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator – the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level – support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs.
With the aim of delivering on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Development System is repositioning itself with a reinvigorated resident coordinator system at the center. The UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office are instrumental in supporting coherence on the ground among UN agencies. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Accountability to Affected Populations) will be a member of the RCO Nepal.
Additionally, following the April 2015 earthquake, the Humanitarian Country Team took the decision that communications with and accountability to affected populations (AAP) would be a priority for the subsequent response. Since then, a Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Accountability to Affected Populations) has been placed within the Information Management Unit (IMU).
The position is located in Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Nepal and Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Accountability to Affected Populations) reports to Information Management Unit Manager.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Accountability to Affected Populations) will be responsible for the following duties:
1.PREPAREDNESS;
- Design and oversee the implementation of an annual community perception survey on resilience, key immediate post-disaster needs, communication channel, relief preferences (in-kind cash, for example) and other contextually relevant subjects across hill and Terai areas of Nepal.
- Undertake analysis from the annual perception survey and generate a narrative report that identifies key findings to facilitate the translation of these findings into actions.
- Design a strategy to ensure the HCT can ‘close the feedback loop’ and to provide information back to disaster affected populations in a way that is cognizant of the findings from the annual perception survey.
- If needed, support in designing an interactive voice response (IVR) telephone survey through which the HCT can obtain information rapidly in the event of a flood or earthquake.
- Lead the design of post-disaster perception surveys to be used following a disaster event.
- If needed, manage a competitive procurement process to appoint a third-party supplier to deliver the annual community perception survey as well as the IVR and post-disaster surveys.
- Chair the – Communicating with Communities Working Group (CwC WG) and in the start of the year, will undertake a review of its functionality and tools including of those messages that can be shared with communities in the event of a disaster. Design a strategy for strengthening the CwC WG which will be shared with HCT ahead of the monsoon every year.
2. RESPONSE;
- Manage IVR and post-disaster perception surveys on behalf of the HCT. As part of s/he will work to produce analysis once surveys have been completed in order that the views of and feedback from disaster affected persons can be shared and used to inform the design of response strategies.
- Support the implementation of surveys including through deployment to disaster affected communities.
- As chair of the CwC WG, will support the implementation of activities that ‘close the feedback loop’ in a way that is culturally and linguistically appropriate, well-coordinated and builds on preparedness investments.
3.ADVOCACY;
- Support preparation of advocacy strategies as well as bespoke advocacy products (op-eds, tweets, speaking notes etc.) as a means to disseminate findings from completed pre and post-disaster surveys and to influence decision-makers to act on the views of surveyed populations.
- Identify international actors and events with whom AAP experiences from Nepal can be shared as a means to contribute to the global AAP sector.
- On behalf of the UNRCO, s/he will attend meetings, workshops, conferences etc. to share AAP findings and approaches. To support attendance at such events s/he will be responsible for the design of high quality and effective presentations, speaking notes etc.
- In consultation with a senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer, assists in the design and preparation of studies on humanitarian, disaster, emergency relief and related issues and in various follow-up activities.
- Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues.
- Contributes to the preparation of various written documents, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, etc.
- Develops and maintains reference/resource information on specific topics or policy-related issues; responds to various inquiries and information requests internally and externally.
- Assists in the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, work shops, etc. with other agencies and partners to facilitate exchanges of professional expertise and views on specific humanitarian-related subjects/issues; serves as reporter to such events.
- Maintains awareness of current humanitarian affairs and related issues, to include relevant political, policy, gender considerations or other developments in AAP
- Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of information management, archival, record keeping and record disposition. Knowledge of electronic data maintenance, including appraisal, conservation and migration management; records preservation and description. Ability to conduct research and provide recommendations on information management trends. Ability to demonstrate conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills and conduct independent research and analysis, identifying and assessing issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
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.
TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Development Studies, Disaster Management or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree is required.
Work Experience
A minimum of 2 years work experience in accountability to affected populations within the humanitarian sector is required.
Experience and knowledge of the International humanitarian system, agencies and emergency response preparedness in consultation with Government is required.
Experience in management, coordination and liaison with disaster affected communities, Government agencies, relief organizations, donors and national and/or international humanitarian organizations is a desirable.
Experience in managing surveys and data collection is a desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, Fluency of written and spoken English and Nepali is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
NOTE: ‘Fluency’ equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and ‘knowledge of’ equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview
Special Notice
This is a project post. Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate or the availability of the funds. Staff Members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her.
National Professional Officers are nationals of the country in which they are serving, and their functions must have a national context, i.e. functions that require national experience or knowledge of the national language, culture, institutions, and systems.
THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF NEPAL. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Nepal nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Nepal in the event of an employment offer. 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.
Note to current staff members at the General Service level: Should a current General Service staff member (not on Continuing or Permanent Appointment) be selected for this post, he/she would need to resign from his/her General Service appointment before receiving a new appointment at the National Officer level.
Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements. “Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. ”
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the
application.
Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat.
Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents botha cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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 email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (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.