Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Economic Community Of West African States Liaison Officer, Abuja

losing Date: Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Background
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between OCHA and ECOWAS on 05 February 2004 with the following objectives: Enhance the response to humanitarian crisis, contribute to the attainment of lasting peace in the region, improve capacity of in humanitarian action and conflict management, better address the needs of the vulnerable populations, alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies, advocate for the rights of people affected by conflict and natural disasters, promote preparedness and prevention and create an enabling environment for sustainable development. The Liaison function will contribute to strengthening the partnership and engagement with the in order to coordinate principled humanitarian response and effectively engage Member States on disaster preparedness and response and other humanitarian issues with regional implications The Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Liaison Officer will work closely with the Department of Humanitarian and Social Affairs of and coordinate with the Humanitarian support Unit (HSU) within the office of the Resident Coordinator for Nigeria
The Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Liaison Officer will report to the Head of Regional Office (ROWCA).
Duties and Responsibilities
The HAO/ Liaison Officer will have the following main functions:
1. Engage dialogue with in her/his role of strengthening preparedness and response and provide support on policy and operational aspects relating to acute poverty, complex emergencies and impact on disasters.
2. Participate and support ' initiatives including the measuring of the impact of natural disasters such as floods in West Africa, follow-up on the setup of ' regional stockpile in Mali aswell as any other initiatives related to humanitarian preparedness and response.
3. Assist in the elaboration of MoUs with regional agencies and institutions on DRR/Preparedness and provide training support to the Emergency Response Team.
4. Assist in the development of short and medium-term strategy, policy, planning and priorities, especially in finalizing ' 3-year humanitarian action plan.
5. Maintain day to day and technical liaison with the humanitarian department of aswell as other key entities within the organization and to provide timely and relevant information to the RC and the ROWCA Head of Office on all urgent and important humanitarian issues with regional implications.
6. Keep abreast of all key developments through regular monitoring and analysis of developments in the member states of and their impact on the humanitarian situation, regional early warning mechanism, development of regional and preparedness in a consistent and well-coordinated manner.
7. Provide regular feedback to ROWCA and use public information and advocacy tools (reports; updates, special bulletins; websites) to keep humanitarian department, the RC and the ROWCA Head of Office, abreast of humanitarian developments and support coordinating plans and resource mobilization efforts for humanitarian activities.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda
Level 1.2: Ppreparing information for advocacy

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP's mandate

Results-Based Programme Development and Management
Level 1.2: Contributes into results through primary research and analysis

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly

Building Strategic Partnerships
Levle 1.2: Maintaining a network of contacts

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues
• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches
Level 1.2: Enhancing processes or products

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Resource Mobilization
Level 1.2: Providing inputs to resource mobilization strategies

• Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors
• Develops a database of project profiles. Identifies opportunities for project proposals for presentation to donors

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
Level 1.2: Basic research and analysis

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches

Required Skills and Experience
Education
University degree in political science, sociology, law, international relations, or related field
Experience:

• Four to Six years of relevant professional experience in the field of international humanitarian affairs
• Experience working with an advantage

Language Requirements:
Fluency in English and French (written and oral)
Additional Requirements:

• Proven inter-personal and good communication skills
• Experience in a multi-cultural environment
• Computer literacy
• Fluency in English and French (written and oral)

Interested candidates should apply online through the website by clicking on the Apply now button. The system will prompt you to upload a CV on the next page.
Please note that instead of a CV you're required to download the UNDP Personnel History Form (P11) from the following link http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc Complete it and upload when prompted.
Applications without a fully completed P11 form will not be considered. Only applicants that are shortlisted will be contacted.
The system will only allow for one attachement.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.