[freelance] Humanitarian Affairs Officer/ECOWAS Liaison Officer at UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)

Industry: NGOs Jobs

Specialization:NGO / International / Legal

Minimum Educational Qualification: Degree

Minimum Experience Required: 4 Year(s)

Application Deadline: 2011-07-26

Job Title:  Humanitarian Affairs Officer/ECOWAS Liaison Officer(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Sep-2011 Duration of Initial Contract: One Year 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 ECOWAS 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 ECOWAS 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 / ECOWAS Liaison Officer will work closely with the Department of Humanitarian and Social Affairs of ECOWAS and coordinate with the Humanitarian support Unit (HSU) within the office of the Resident Coordinator for Nigeria The Humanitarian Affairs Officer / ECOWAS Liaison Officer will report to the OCHA Head of Regional Office (ROWCA). The HAO/ECOWAS Liaison Officer will have the following main functions:Engage dialogue with ECOWAS 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.
Participate and support ECOWAS’ initiatives including the measuring of the impact of natural disasters such as floods in West Africa, follow-up on the setup of ECOWAS’ regional stockpile in Mali aswell as any other initiatives related to humanitarian preparedness and response.
Assist in the elaboration of ECOWAS MoUs with regional agencies and institutions on DRR/Preparedness and provide training support to the ECOWAS Emergency Response Team.
Assist in the development of short and medium-term strategy, policy, planning and priorities, especially in finalizing ECOWAS’ 3-year humanitarian action plan.
Maintain day to day and technical liaison with the humanitarian department of ECOWAS 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. 
Keep abreast of all key developments through regular monitoring and analysis of developments in the member states of ECOWAS and their impact on the humanitarian situation, regional early warning mechanism, development of regional and preparedness in a consistent and well-coordinated manner. 
Provide regular feedback to ROWCA and use public information and advocacy tools (reports; updates, special bulletins; websites) to keep ECOWAS 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.
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented AgendaLevel 1.2: Preparing information for advocacyIdentifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate
Results-Based Programme Development and ManagementLevel 1.2: Contributes into results through primary research and analysisAssesses 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 contactsMaintains 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 ApproachesLevel 1.2: Enhancing processes or productsGenerates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
Level 1.2:  Providing inputs to resource mobilization strategiesAnalyzes 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 SharingLevel 1.2: Basic research and analysisGenerates 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 University degree in political science, sociology, law, international relations, or related field
Four to Six years of relevant professional experience in the field of international humanitarian affairs
Experience working with ECOWAS an advantage
Fluency in English and French (written and oral) 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.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.

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