Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Panama City, Panama. OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit will be responsible for the management of the Latin America and the Caribbean Humanitarian Fund (LAC HF), which has been established in 2024 by the ERC to provide a stable and flexible platform for donors addressing emergencies across the region, including sudden-onset disasters, escalating crises, and ongoing humanitarian situations. The LAC HF will dynamically adjust its Country Envelopes based on evolving needs, donor interest and partner capacity. Each Envelope is managed by the respective UN Resident Coordinator or Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HCs), with support from an in-country Advisory Board, and working with national coordination mechanisms. While Colombia and Haiti have been prioritized initially and based on their success over time, the LAC HF could expand to other countries based on humanitarian needs and donor interest. This position requires regular missions in Colombia and Haiti, and other LAC countries, as needed. This position-specific job opening is being advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit in Panama City, Panama. The incumbent will report to the Head of Office, OCHA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit will be responsible for the following duties: • Serves as a senior policy officer; advise on overall policy direction on humanitarian financing and resource mobilization issues; and, more generally, reviews and provides advice on a diverse range of policy issues related to the localization agenda, the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Accountability to Affected People and Gender, with a particular focus on the Country Based Pooled Fund (CBPF) and CERF allocations. • Prepares policy position papers for review, including HCTs and OCHA strategies on humanitarian financing and resource mobilization. • Advises the Humanitarian Coordinators (HC) and OCHA Heads of Office in countries of concern on CBPF and CERF allocations, and leads liaison with necessary partners, including donors, UN agencies, NGOs and Cluster Coordinators in the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of OCHA managed funding allocations. • Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian financing trends and issues affecting the region, works with partners to ensure better reporting to the Financial Tracking Service and ensures the adequate use of the Grant Management System for the CBPF.. • For the CBPF, ensures proper financial management, overseeing recipient organizations’ compliance with applicable financial rules and undertaking verification activities in accordance with the CBPF Operational Manual; ensures full application of risk management and compliance frameworks and advises the HCs and Heads of Office in country of concern on risk management and compliance issues. • Assists in the production of appeals for international assistance; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA. • Leads engagement with member states and humanitarian partners in capacity-building, particularly those related to humanitarian financing, PSEA, AAP, gender and localization. • Provides support to OCHA field offices on issues related to donor engagement and field missions, monitoring of CBPF and CERF projects and liaison and support to OCHA supported humanitarian partners. • Initiates and coordinates activities related to technical cooperation and technical assistance projects in disaster response and disaster response preparedness; formulates project proposals and relevant project documents; provides technical support to field work; reviews and clears project reports for submission to governments. • Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian financing related issues; organizes follows-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on humanitarian financing issues; and ensures the implementation of recommendations emanating from relevant studies. • Assists or leads, as appropriate, in the preparation of OCHA humanitarian financing reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, background papers, policy guidelines in line with CBPF and CERF global guidelines and best practice. • In the context of OCHA managed funding allocations, partners with other humanitarian agencies to ensure effective monitoring of projects, in line with global practice, and to plan and evaluate complex humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes; helps ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations. • Supports the Heads of Office in countries of concern in establishing and maintaining contact with humanitarian donors in the LAC region, with the aim of developing strategic partnerships and supporting resource mobilization strategies for Humanitarian Response Plans and funding mechanisms such as the CBPF.. • Serves as the primary focal point on humanitarian financing, resource mobilization and localization topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc., ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues. • Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters. • Manages the Humanitarian Financing Unit, including staff planning, budget development, staff recruitment, induction, training, and performance management in line with corporate frameworks. • Promotes a positive and respectful working environment, upholding OCHA’s duty of care relating to security, health, safety and well-being. • Liaises as necessary with relevant OCHA Headquarters (HQ) sections including OAD, Country-based Pooled Fund Section (CBPFS), CERF Secretariat, Donor Relation Section (DRS), and External Relations and Partnerships Section (ERPS). • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of wide range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response. Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Knowledge of region or country of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery). Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations. Ability to relate humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, economic, social and human rights programmes in affected country/region. 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. • ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors 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. • 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. • EMPOWERING OTHERS: Delegates responsibility clarifies expectations and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work. Encourages others to set challenging goals. Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility. Genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise. Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort. Involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required. Experience in humanitarian financing (e.g. grants management, fundraising, monitoring and evaluation, and donor relations for humanitarian programmes) is required. Experience working with humanitarian pooled funds is desirable. Experience in the UN Common System or comparable international organization is desirable. Experience in the Latin America and Caribbean region is desirable.

Languages

French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is funded for a finite period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-general and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for these positions. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.