EXTERNAL/INTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME – SOMALIA

EXTERNAL/INTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT


Title: Humanitarian Affairs Analyst, UNOCHA
Type of Contract Fixed Term (100 Series)
Level: NOB (UNOCHA reserves the right to recruit at a lower level)
Direct Supervisor:Head of Office, UNOCHA Somalia/Deputy Head of Office
Duty station:Nairobi

Duration:One Year (with possibility of extension)

Date of Issue:3rd February 2009
Closing Date: 17th February 2009


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. To date, over 300,000 people remain recently displaced with the number increasing. In addition, Somalia has up to 400,000 protracted IDPs living in temporary settlements for over ten years throughout the country.

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. Key Functions:
Under the overall guidance of the Head of Office and the Senior Policy Advisor, 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:

1) Inform longer term planning through the collation, verification and analysis of information from internal and external information sources, with the aim of identifying the humanitarian implications of political, security and socio-economic events and issues. To this end, ad hoc updates or topic specific reports and weekly analytical reports will be produced.

2) Conduct ad hoc analysis upon request on specific areas or issues, focusing primarily on political developments, clan dynamics, security and access, conflict analysis broadening the scope to include regional issues and analysis of how such factors impact on vulnerability and the humanitarian situation in the context of Somalia.

3) Maintain relations with analytical and research based organisations both Somali and international to exchange ideas and information and support the development of common analysis.

4) Further develop and maintain the OCHA database on key Somali actors

5) Act as the OCHA focal point for liaison with Somali authorities at the request of the head of office, and the Somali Embassy in Nairobi

6) Assist in the identification and analysis of the protection situation for civilians and humanitarian access including providing recommendation as required

7) Analyse trends and the environment in public discourse in Somalia and advise the PIU and Policy Advisor on appropriate means of response/outreach to Somali audiences.

IV. Functions / Key Results Expected
Play a strategic role in identifying humanitarian and access issues and problems to be addressed in the Region of responsibility. Develop innovative suggestions and approaches to deal with technical issues. Timely delivery of outputs, in accordance with overall objectives and policies. Serve as an effective spokesperson and form 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
Corporate Competencies:
· Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
· Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNOCHA
· Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
· Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:
· Builds strong relationships with partners, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
· Ability to manage complex problems proactively and effectively, including responses to emergencies.
· Ability to work independently, with efficiency, competency and integrity with people of different national backgrounds.
· Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance
· Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
· Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.
· Proven report writing skills

VI. Recruitment Qualifications
Education:
· Master’s degree in political science, sociology, law or international relations.
Experience:
· At least five years of relevant professional experience, preferably in complex emergency and inter-agency contexts, dealing with relief and transitional issues.
· Knowledge/working experience in UNOCHA is desirable.
· Basic knowledge of social science, development, humanitarian relief issues, law or journalism is desirable
· Computer proficiency, including working knowledge of e-mail and MS Office products (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.)
Language requirements:
· Fluency in English is desirable
· Knowledge of Somali and Arabic is desirable.

VII. Submission of application
Please send your curriculum vitae, marked “Humanitarian Affairs Analyst - UNOCHA” by 17th February 2009 to: The Deputy Country Director (Operations), United Nations Development Programme - Somalia, P.O. Box 28832,00200, Nairobi, Kenya, fax: 254-20- 4183641, e-mail: registry.so@undp.org

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are required to fill a P11 Form and submit it together with the application.
Find the P11 Form for Fixed Term Contract Holders on this link:
http://www.so.undp.org/index.php/Download-document/42-P11-form-for-fixed-term-and-ALDs.html


UNDP will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.
This vacancy announcement is also available on http://jobs.undp.org/ and on the Relief Web site (http://www.reliefweb.int/)