The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a United Nations organization tasked with helping countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth and human development. Headquartered in New York City, it is the largest UN development aid agency, with offices in 170 countries.

. Organizational Context

Part of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the role of the OCHA Liaison Office to the African Union (AU) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (OCHA-AULO) is to facilitate the OCHA partnership with the African Union, including its eight Regional Economic Communities and Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) and the UNECA on humanitarian action in Africa. The goal of the partnership is to make humanitarian action more effective, strengthen resilience, enhance the predictive, preventive and response capacities of AU humanitarian initiatives and mechanisms and showcase replicable best practice and Africa’s humanitarian tradition.

The OCHA-AU Partnership is based on a 2010 Memorandum of Understanding in three areas: (1) Coordination of humanitarian assistance (2) early warning, disaster preparedness and response and (3) advocacy for the protection of civilians affected by conflict and natural disasters. The MoU is implemented through mutually agreed multi-year to Plans of Actions. The AULO works with the African Union Commission, RECs/RMs and more than 47 other stakeholders accredited to the AU for a more enabling environment and inclusive humanitarian action in Africa through coordination, liaison and partnership.

This position is located in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – AULO, Office of the Deputy Head of Office.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Head of Office, the incumbent is responsible for:
1. Overall working level coordination of the AULO engagement in coordination of humanitarian initiatives with the African Union and of partnership activities with partners accredited to the African Union Commissions and
2. Events management of partnership initiatives and Secretariat of humanitarian coordination platform. More specifically the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Summary of Key Functions:

• Keep abreast with developments in the AU relevant to the OCHA-AU partnership and identifying issues in need of the Representative head of Office and the Deputy Head of Office’s attention;
• Ensure the smooth flow of relevant information within the office through regular consultations with the Deputy Head of Office,
• Liaise with staff seconded to the African Union and other stakeholders, prepare and as appropriate, disseminate relevant information;
• Advise the Deputy Head of Office, on possible courses of action and strategic issues requiring OCHA management’s awareness and/or action by keeping in close contact with all stakeholders and participating in key meetings and events, closely monitoring developments highlighting relevant Africa Union partnership issues.
• Undertake day-to-day follow up and report on AU Commission activities and contribute to the preparation of the AULO’s inputs to regular Headquarter reporting processes/outputs
• In coordination with the Humanitarian Affairs, Refugees and Displaced Persons Division (HARDP) of the AU Commission and under the direction of the Deputy Head of Office and the Head of HARDP, acts as the Secretariat of the humanitarian coordination mechanism/platform- convenes meetings, processes and proceedings of the meetings (drafts and disseminates record of proceedings and facilitates follow up of action points);
• As assigned by the co-Chairs of the Coordination mechanism, leads and/or participates in the working groups/sub-groups of the platform/mechanism; ensures collation and organisation of inputs into reporting mechanisms
• Leads on partnership events management in collaboration with the HARDP, AUC, RECs and/or Member states as relevant and in coordination with all Public Information and media resources available, ensures coverage of the same;
• Supports the Humanitarian Civil Military Coordination capacity in AULO with participation in relevant AU peace and security coordination mechanisms/platforms and processes as needed;
• Leads in collation of AULO periodic reports and provides inputs to AU-Stakeholders coordination platform humanitarian information products;
• Support and/or facilitate the AU Commission preparation of the AU’s 6-monthly humanitarian situation reports to the AU’s decision-making organs highlighting major issues of humanitarian concern;
• Assist HARDP with preparation of reports, correspondences, briefs and related background documents for initiatives, workshops and meetings as required, including speeches, talking points and presentations;
• Liaise with OCHA-AULO to facilitate effective partnership and coordination with relevant AUC Departments
• Develop and maintain expert knowledge of and on African and humanitarian issues in Africa and keep abreast of humanitarian developments as a basis for anticipating humanitarian developments in the region and contributing to forward planning of the OCHA-AULO’s forward planning and the AU’s early warning, preparedness and response coordination as relevant and appropriate;
• Maintain close contact with Member States, humanitarian and other partners accredited to the African Union and make proposals for joint initiatives, ensure prompt dissemination of accurate information on humanitarian situation in Africa and its sub-regions and participate in assessment missions as may be required;
• Propose engagements, meetings and initiatives and facilitate follow up as appropriate;
• Assist/Backstop UNCMCOORD and or Humanitarian Affairs Officer (s) in their absence as may be requested and
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Impact of Results

• The Office has determined the necessity of these functions in order to contribute towards the fulfillment of its mandate and efficient management of the partnership with the African Union on humanitarian issues. Frequent interaction with the AU’s HARDP, AU Departments and offices, UN Agencies, Funds Programmes and offices, Non-Governmental and multilateral Organizations, non-African Member States and organizations with partnership agreements with the AU, OCHA Country, regional and HQ offices.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to OCHA’s mission, vision and values
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race and nationality sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

• Professionalism
• Technology awareness
• Planning and Organizing
• Client Orientation
• Analytical and Conceptual Thinking
• Communication & Networking
• Teamwork
• Commitment to Continuous learning

Job Requirement

Education:  Advanced university degree is required in social sciences or related fields with proven demonstration of relevance

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related areas;
• Background in international affairs or development;
• UN or NGO experience required;
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills;
• Excellent computer literacy and skills (word, excel, lotus notes, data bases and internet);
• Ability to work with moderate supervision, with efficiency, competency and integrity in a multi-cultural environment

Language Requirements:  Proficiency in written and oral English is essential. Knowledge of a second UN language is desirable

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa