The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a United Nations (UN) body established in December 1991 by the General Assembly to strengthen the international response to complex emergencies and natural disasters. It is the successor to the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator (UNDRO).

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the direct supervision of the Head of Amhara region sub-office, the incumbent will:

• Work closely with UN agencies, NGOs and other partners as appropriate and as required to establish functional, accountable and predictable coordination systems in designated areas of priority humanitarian concern.
• Maintain a close working relationship in the field with the relevant regional and zonal government officials especially the Bureau of Disaster Preparedness and Prevention, civic and non-governmental aid organizations, and specialized UN agencies in order to establish a cooperative network on humanitarian agenda;
• Spend at least one-third of his/her time visiting current relief operations and travelling extensively in vulnerable and crisis-prone areas of the region, assessing situations either independently, or jointly with Government counterparts and other humanitarian agencies;
• Gather data and reports on emerging relief needs and the arrival, transportation and distribution of emergency assistance to crisis-affected areas.
• Assist in the analysis of humanitarian trends and advise the head of sub-office on the likely implications for operational arrangements;
• Prepare detailed written situation reports, assessment reports using both primary sources and information collected from affected communities, collaborating organizations and Government counterparts;
• Provide verbal and written briefings to the Head of sub-office on returning from field visits and on any specific issues as required;
• Facilitate and attend regular coordination meetings as determined by the head of sub-office and draft meeting minutes accordingly;
• Assist the head of sub-office in organizing and facilitating field missions of OCHA staff, donors and other visitors and facilitate briefing visitors on the overall humanitarian situation as well as the activities of OCHA and other humanitarian agencies in the region.
• Perform other tasks as required.

Job Requirement

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: Zero years with an advanced degree and a minimum 2 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, rehabilitation, and  development, with good  field   experience   in   complex   emergencies with a bachelor’s degree

Skills

• UN or NGO experience is essential
• Ability to work with moderate supervision, with efficiency, competence and integrity.
• Ability and willingness to work with people of different backgrounds.
• Good communication, report writing & analytical skills.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. In addition, proficiency in the duty station language is required. Knowledge of one or more other local languages is an asset.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Demonstrates commitment to UNOCHA’s mission, vision and values
• Demonstrates respect to diversity
• Ability to analyze, explain and document issues and develop recommendations for appropriate action
• Consistently approaches work with energy, a positive and constructive attitude

Duty Station: Bahir Dar, Amhara Region