Senior Emergency Officer

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

PR4

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

• Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.

In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2024-01-01

Job Posting End Date

December 21, 2023

Standard Job Description

Senior Emergency Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

In view of the increased emergency preparedness and response needs, for both refugee and IDP situations, in the context of complex humanitarian operations where UNHCR’s leadership and coordination role is increasingly important, UNHCR’s emergency capabilities have been adjusted and reinforced to proactively anticipate, prepare for and respond to emergencies with urgency, speed and nimbleness, as outlined in the Policy on Emergency Preparedness and Response (UNHCR/HCP/2017/Rev. 1).

In light of these new challenges, the Division of Emergency, Security and Supply (DESS) has been reconfigured its functions and established an emergency coordination, preparedness and response structure with a view to build a more robust and predictable emergency response and organizational preparedness based on effective leadership and coordination at senior level; strong engagement with governments; the community-based approach for protection and assistance services; and effective emergency information management.

The incumbent will be a member of the Emergency Response Team, led by the Principal Emergency Coordinator, report to Senior Emergency Coordinator and be on permanent standby for emergency deployment. When deployed on an emergency, the incumbent will receive specific ToRs for the mission, including reporting lines during the deployment.

The Emergency Response Team is based at HQs in Geneva, but s/he will be deployed within 72 hours when called and expected to spend in total some 50% of time on mission outside HQs. S/he will deploy as part of the Team or individually to prepare and respond to new refugee and/or IDP emergencies and provide coordination and operational support to the UNHCR Representative in the country or region. In situations, Senior Emergency Officer will act as a team leader to lead and coordinate a team of ERT deployees and other emergency staff. In an IDP operation where the cluster approach is activated, the incumbent may assist Senior Emergency Coordinator in the coordination of the cluster at national level. While in Geneva between emergency missions, the Incumbent will be assigned geographical regions to cover and regularly liaise with the relevant regional bureaus to support on planning and preparedness actions. The incumbent will also participate in capacity building and emergency simulation activities in the regions concern and support emergency training activities, as required.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• In the event of an emergency, be ready for deployment within 72 hours.
• Assist in managing an inclusive and constructive process with all relevant partners to address the priority emergency needs of persons of concern.
• Initiate and/or manage the development of a broad network of partners, and good coordination practices in line with the Refugee Coordination Model.
• Manage a consultative process to ensure a consistent approach of the organization’s emergency criteria and policies for the selection of partners. Guide the process with government counterparts, partners and persons of concern to develop and implement a comprehensive protection and solutions strategy, ensuring that this forms the core basis for all sector/cluster planning and the overall humanitarian response.
• Ensure that key elements in the protection and solutions strategy include SGBV prevention and response mechanisms, community and individual feedback mechanisms, as well as other systems to protect children, including access to education, from the outset of an emergency
• Ensure the establishment of protection monitoring systems in order to improve evidence-based programme planning.
• Ensure that gender equality considerations inform all protection planning and programme design.
• Promote international and national law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct in particular Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and advocate that all sectors and /or in clusters in applicable operations fulfil their responsibilities mainstreaming protection.
• Design, deliver and monitor programmes on an AGD basis to address identified protection needs.
• Provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners on all protection related issues in the emergency operation.
• Assist in managing a transparent, consultative and responsible process for the approval of country-level emergency budgets and the allocation of resources.
• Ensure and monitor compliance with financial rules and regulations.
• Ensure the timely submission of projects to donors, CERF and pooled funding mechanisms (as applicable) and adequate reporting.
• Assist in the drafting of the strategic response plan/appeal, ensuring an inclusive process with all relevant partners.
• Provide timely submissions to the LCC/Hqs CoC as applicable.
• Support the offices by identifying, disseminating and applying good practices of innovative emergency response with a view to improving protection and assistance to persons of concern.
• Undertake assessment and preparedness planning missions in conjunction with other team members, relevant Bureaux and Divisions, in order to determine and guide appropriate programme interventions before the emergency occurs.
• Ensure that project partnership agreements are prepared on time and take into account available resources and contributions of UNHCR, partners and persons of concern
• Advise Bureaux and operations on emergency programme preparedness and protection strategies and response interventions.
• Work closely with the relevant Regional Bureau and operations to ensure that timely and adequate emergency preparedness measures are taken.
• In collaboration with PDES, undertake “real time evaluations” of emergency response, as required.
• Provide lessons-learned of programme emergency preparedness and response, and facilitate related emergency training and learning events as applicable.
• Set targets for impact and performance monitoring.
• Coordinate a consultative process with government counterparts, partners and persons of concern to develop and implement a comprehensive protection and solutions response strategy.
• Coordinate the design and implementation of participatory, community and rights-based protection approaches.
• Clear the submission of the country emergency operations plans as well as funding submission, appeals and reports.
• Negotiate partner agreements.
• Chair and represent the protection working group/cluster in inter-sector/cluster meetings at sub-national level.
• Represent UNHCR in inter-agency operations and programme fora.
• Represent DESS in emergency coordination meetings (as requested) at HQs or regional level.
• Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P4 – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Business Administration, Social Science, Economics, International Relations or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Emergency Management

HCR Snr Emergency Leadership

Security Management Learning Programme

HCR Protection Learning Programme

HCR Management Learning Programme

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Previous job experience relevant to the function, including emergency operations. Understanding of the Transformative Agenda and the Refugee Coordination Model. Team-building qualities and creative thinking for rapid and effective solutions.

Desirable

Good knowledge of UNHCR financial rules, procedures and processes. Experience in providing training and in developing training materials. Knowledge of UNHCR specific programmes (MSRP, Focus, etc.).

Functional Skills

• PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
• PR-Developing Strategic Protection Framework
• TR-Training and Capacity Building of Governments and/or national programs
• MG-Field Operations Management
• PR-Accountability to Affected People – Principles and Framework
• PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation
• MG-Coordination
• CL-Protection Cluster Coordination
• CL-Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)
• PR-Refugee Coordination Model

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

He/she should have experience in emergency operations ideally also including the Americas. Experience in working in situations of mixed movements an asset. He/she should a strong team player, demonstrated leadership and coordination skills in an inter agency setting, have strong service-orientation, flexibility and proactivity to manage arising situations and challenges. Knowledge of, familiarity with, operations in the Americas and its range of challenges and issues from the political and the humanitarian perspectives would be key. Excellent communication skills. Knowledge on CCCM, Shelter management and asset.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

Spanish

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Deputy Director/Head of Protection and Solutions Pillar and in close liaison with the Head of External Engagement and the Head of Strategic Planning . The magnitude and complexity of forced displacement has grown in the Americas over the last decade, as the root causes remain unaddressed and are aggravated by organized crime, violence and insecurity, lingering results of the pandemic and climate events. In this context, this position based at UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for the Americas in Panama City, will play role in helping build a more robust and predictable emergency response and organizational preparedness in an inter-agency setting; strong engagement with governments; the community-based approach for protection and assistance services; and effective emergency information management.

This position plays a key role in enabling the Bureau to enhance its leadership in ensuring timely emergency preparedness, including monitoring of early warnings, risk analysis, contingency planning, capacity-building, compliance with corporate strategies, etc. He/she will provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners including by identifying, disseminating and applying good practices of innovative emergency response with a view to improving protection and assistance to persons of concern. The person in this position will act as the preparedness focal point for the Bureau, in support to COs and MCOs and in coordination with HQ DESS. The incumbent of the position should coordinate closely with other units in the Bureau. Even though the position is based in Panama, s/he is expected to travel on mission to remote locations in the field, where the quality of life and working conditions would be challenged alongside with security concerns.

Living and Working Conditions

Panama City is classified ‘A’ Duty Station (Family) and has good infrastructure (health, housing, banking, transportation, telecommunications and recreational facilities) and good supply of goods and services, with no particular health hazards. -In terms of security Panama is relatively safe compared to other cities throughout Latin America and it is rated as security level ‘1 minimal’ whereas for Darién Province (border with Colombia) it is security level ‘2 low’. The city is a communication hub and it is possible to fly to all countries of the region with direct flights and it offers good options for travelling in general. -UNHCR offices are located in the Canal Zone, in a green area outside the city centre called ‘Ciudad del Saber’ where most of the other UN Agencies are also located, as well as International Schools, NGOs and research centers, etc. -The cost of living is relatively high for the region (reflected in the post adjustment), especially for housing and health, but it is easy to find accommodation on the private market, including in the area of the office in houses or in the city centre towers in modern apartments. Most of the food is imported except for sea products and some fruits and vegetables. There is a wide range of international schools, several of them offering IB curriculum including some in the office area. -In terms of recreational activities, Panama being a hub for the purchasing of goods for neighboring countries, the city offers a lot of malls and doing shopping and going to malls is a common week end activity. Cultural offer is limited but there is a good offer of restaurants and a dynamic nightlife. Beaches on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts are reachable within one hour by car or by boat directly from the city and there are some options for hiking too. There is also a relatively good range of sports activities.

Skills

Additional Qualifications

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science

Certifications

Emergency Management – Other, HCR Management Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Senior Emergency Leadership – UNHCR, Security Management Learning Program – Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 – Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance