Closing date: 29 Jul 2009 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Chad - N'Djamena
"The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees). Also, the United Nations does not concern itself with information on bank accounts".
Date of issue: 15 July 2009
Post title and level: Head of OCHA Office, P-5
Duty station: N’Djamena, Chad
Duration: 6 months
Vacancy Notice number: OCHA/G/26/2009
Deadline for applications: 29 July 2009
Date of entry: asap
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for diversity
Background:
As a result of the deterioration of the situation in Chad, the number of IDPs has been increasing steadily for the past 6 months. As of April 2007, humanitarian organisations estimate there are about 140,000 in eastern Chad. The area also hosts about 235.000 Sudanese refugees from the neighbouring Darfur region. 700,000 Chadians from host communities would be affected in a way or another by the presence of IDPs and refugees. The presence of refugees and IDPs has disrupted economic, ethnic and environmental balances. Tensions between communities are on the rise.
OCHA first established an office in Chad in 2004. Due to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, the ERC / USG decided to increase OCHA’s presence in the country in 2007.
Chad is a UN non-family duty station.
Duties and responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of and reporting to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, and the overall supervision of the Chief of Section, Africa II (CRD New York) the Head of the Office is expected to manage and/or undertake the following duties and responsibilities:
Coordination
- Liaise on a regular basis with all relevant actors on the implementation and delivery of humanitarian activities in Chad;
- Ensure that coordination structures at local, regional and national levels operate in a coherent and cost-effective manner;
- Maintain regular contacts with the OCHA HQ in New York and Geneva, the OCHA Regional Support Office in Dakar and OCHA offices/presences in neighbouring countries;
- Represent OCHA in all UN and IASC decision-making forums in Chad;
- Ensure that relevant humanitarian policy, response plans and advocacy initiatives are developed, endorsed and implemented by relevant stakeholders in Chad.
- Oversee the organization and participate as appropriate in inter-agency needs assessments and recommend necessary action in light of evolving needs, gaps, funding shortfalls, and possible areas of duplication.
- Coordinate, support or participate in high profile missions to the country by senior UN, donor or NGO officials.
- Guide efforts to ensure that humanitarian coordination mechanisms are strengthened and in line with existing policies/approaches including the Humanitarian Reform.
- Lead or participate in the advocacy of humanitarian issues including clarification on the role of humanitarian organizations through national and international media..
Information management/Advocacy
- Ensure that the Humanitarian Coordinator is provided with thorough and timely analysis on the humanitarian situation in Chad;
- Ensure a regular and timely exchange of information with OCHA Headquarter;
- Ensure that the Information Management Unit works closely with relevant actors to develop and observe standards for the collect, analysis and dissemination of humanitarian information.
- Ensure that the production and dissemination of information products by the office is in line with OCHA information management and advocacy policy and standards.
- Ensure the quality and format of OCHA products, such as weekly situation reports, monthly analytical updates, special thematic reports, special alerts on breaking developments, the website geographical maps.
- Peruse and/or draft internal notes for headquarters such as Note to Management and the Note to the ERC.
Security
- Represent OCHA at the Integrated Security Management Team and ensure close collaboration with all officials responsible for security in areas of operation; .
- Ensure MOSS and MORSS compliance for all OCHA offices nationwide as well as staff residences.
- Ensure that OCHA headquarters in New York is aware of critical gaps and concerns by humanitarian actors regarding the security arrangements.
- Brief OCHA staff members on their responsibilities and perform accordingly.
Resource mobilization/appeals
- Convene regular donor meetings to brief on funding patterns, critical gaps, achievements and other issues regarding the financial support for humanitarian operations in Chad and participate in other relevant donor forums.
- Oversee the planning, preparation and execution of the annual Consolidated Appeal Process for Chad, including relevant documentation and events.
- Lead resource mobilization at country and regional levels, liaising and working with the HQs and Regional Office;
- Ensure a transparent use of resources and accountability to donors.
- Brief local and international media on all issues pertaining to the implementation of humanitarian operations.
Management of OCHA offices in Chad
- Manage the OCHA Office in Chad, including general oversight for core functions undertaken by the various units.
- Oversee the quality and scope of support provided by OCHA to humanitarian partners in Chad.
Work implies interaction with the following partners
- Staff in OCHA New York and Geneva, with the Regional Office, and with OCHA offices/presences in the region.
- The Humanitarian Coordinator in Chad.
- Representatives of other UN agencies and departments, NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, government authorities, donors and the diplomatic community and media.
Competencies:
Professionalism: Sound knowledge of and exposure to a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, to include approaches and techniques to address difficult problems; strong analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response; ability to identify issues and to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems; including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned country/area; ability to work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff.Familiarity with the Consolidated Appeal Process and familiarity with programmatic issues surrounding relief to recovery transition would be an important asset.
Communication: Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style.
Planning & Organizing: Ability to plan own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.
Technology Awareness: Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, internal databases, Internet, etc.
Teamwork: Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Managerial Competencies:
Leadership: Strong managerial/leadership skills; demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing the analysis of complex human resources, financial or administrative management policy and programme issues; proven record of building and managing teams and creating and enabling environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills. Tact in negotiating skills, good judgment and decision-making skills.
Judgment/Decision-making: Mature judgment and initiative; imagination, resourcefulness, energy and tact; proven ability to provide strategic direction and ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve goals.
Managing Performance: Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work of others; ability to make timely decisions; Ability to coach, mentor, motivate and develop staff and encourage good performance.
Qualifications
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in political science, sociology, law, international relations, business administration, management or other relevant field. A combination of relevant academic background (at least a first level university degree id est Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and extensive professional experience in a related area may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs or in related area, including at least 5 years at the international level. Extensive professional experience in crisis-affected countries and/or in the field involved with information and inter-agency coordination in complex emergencies and natural disasters would be a strong asset.
- Fluency in written and spoken French and English is essential.
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
All posts are subject to availability of funds.
Applications from qualified female candidates and from nationals of non- and under-represented countries are particularly encouraged.
Diploma of completed University degree may be requested in due course.
Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration.
This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions at the same level in other field duty stations.
Candidates will be expected to move periodically to new functions throughout their careers and are subject to the assignment by the Secretary-General to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations.
Mailing address:
Palais des Nations
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Fax: (+41 22) 917 0080
E-mail: ochavacancies@un.org
Reference Code: RW_7TYHSP-17
