CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: United Nations
Country: South Africa
Closing date: 02 Sep 2014

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:

The position of a consultant for the preparation of the World Humanitarian Summit will be located in the Regional OCHA Office for Southern Africa, in Johannesburg, South Africa, to support the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) Secretariat of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Under the general supervision of Head of the Office OCHA ROSA, the consultant work closely under the guidance of international staff deployed by WHS Secretariat HQ.

Background on the WHS:

The landscape of humanitarian action has changed since 1991, when a landmark resolution of the United Nations General Assembly established the international humanitarian response system as it is known today. Growths in the scope and diversity of humanitarian needs, and a more complex operating environment, have created new risks. There are also new opportunities: a wider range of actors and inter-operating networks are involved, and innovations improve service delivery in each response. This is why preparations are under way for the first World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) in 2016. The United Nations Secretary-General has requested that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) organize the summit, to help a changing humanitarian community work together better to serve people in need. It is a unique opportunity to take stock and adapt. The summit will be the highlight in a process of change that begins now, but lasts well beyond the event itself. It will set the agenda for work beyond 2016 to make humanitarian action more inclusive, global and effective – and overall, fit for the future.

The Summit will focus on a few core themes to set the agenda. Four broad categories have emerged from recent policy discussions. These are: 1) Humanitarian effectiveness, 2) Reducing vulnerability and managing risk 3) Transformation through innovation, and 4) Serving the needs of people in conflict. For more information on the background to the Summit (Location, Timing, Themes, and Consultation Process etc.), please visit: www.worldhumanitariansummit.org. Please find also the document WHS at a Glance attached to the Terms of Reference as an integral part of them.

Responsibilities:

Within delegated authority, the consultant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Contributes to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the World Humanitarian Summit preparatory stakeholder consultations for Eastern and Southern Africa.
• Collates data from various sources, including Survey Monkey, word/pdf survey responses and workshop reports
• Analyses survey responses and workshop reports by stakeholder group as well as by thematic area.
• Prepares and contributes to the preparation of analysis reports, documents and communications, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, briefings, presentations, correspondence related to the regional consultations.
• Supports efficient flow of communication between the Regional Office and the World Humanitarian Secretariat teams, arranging teleconference meetings, providing adequate feedback on progress of the preparation of the regional consultations, identifies risks and provides mitigation measures.
• Maintains a close relationship with all relevant stakeholders to ensure fluent communication.
• Undertakes and provides support to missions of the Head of the Regional Office in WHS related activities.
• Performs other duties as required.

Results Expected:

Provides sound analytical inputs and advice on the stakeholder consultations. Provides timely delivery of assigned outputs. Develops partnerships and interacts effectively with colleagues internally and externally.

Competencies:

• Professionalism:Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. 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 judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, 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 extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment. 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.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• 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.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• Creativity:Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
• Client Orientation:Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
• Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
• 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.

Qualifications:

• Education:Completed or enrolled in advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, mathematics, political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced degree enrollment or completion.
• Experience: Experience in data analysis, qualitative and quantitative research, humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area. This can be through academic studies.
• Languages: Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of other languages used in the stakeholder consultation – French, Portuguese and Arabic – is desirable.
• Other:Expertise in conference management and organization with a wide array of different humanitarian and development stakeholders (NGOs, Member States, Affected Population) will be an asset as well as a good knowledge of the region. Excellent computer skills, including data management and analysis software.

Duration for consultancy:Monday, 15 September - 20 October 2014 (5 weeks)

Location:Sunninghill, Johannesburg, South Africa

How to apply:

Deadline for Applications: Tuesday, 2 September 2014

Kindly provide cover letter and P11 form to Ms Wahyu Srigandani at srigandani@un.org, copying Michelle Thulkanam at thulkanam@un.org.