Humanitarian Affairs Specialist,P3,Asmara,Eritrea #105858 (Temporary Appointment)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up!

For every child, Safety

The Government of the State of Eritrea (GoSE) and the United Nations (UN) will soon embark on the new five-year United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) covering 2022-2026. Humanitarian response priorities (also known as Basic Services Response Priorities) are integrated into this framework for ease of synergy and transition into medium to long-term development interventions.

The Basic Services Response Priorities (BSRP) outlines nutrition, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, education, social and child protection as UNICEF’s areas of focus. By integrating humanitarian responses into the development programme, UNICEF aims to annually support approximately 500,000 vulnerable children including children with disabilities and in pastoralist communities, women-headed households,[1] pregnant and lactating mothers, and people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Eritrea is highly affected by climate change and extreme weather patterns, that parts of the country experience poor rainfall and cyclical drought conditions. The change in climatic conditions often impacts the coping capacities of the population, largely dependent (65-70%) on subsistence agriculture. Consequently, tackling household food insecurity and under-nutrition among children and mothers of child-bearing age remain a key priority. Whilst Eritrea’s immunization programme is among the best in the region (94% coverage), there are gaps in immunization coverage to be plugged in remote communities. In some of these remote areas, there has been incremental progress in accessing health and education services access indicators, which are still below national averages.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Deputy Representative and in close collaboration with Section Chiefs, the PM&E Specialist, the Communication Specialist, the Communication for Development Specialist, the Chief of Operations, and the Representative, the overall goal of this position is to support UNICEF Eritrea’s humanitarian preparedness and response. More specifically, the main responsibilities and tasks of the Humanitarian Affairs Specialist are to:

• Undertaking periodic field visits to affected geographical areas, to assess local conditions, and support the monitoring of humanitarian related activities and resources utilization. 
• Coordinate the planning, implementation, monitoring and quality reporting of the country office humanitarian response.
• Undertake analysis of key risks and monitor emerging humanitarian trends across the six geographical administrative areas (Zobas)
• As focal point for emergencies, coordinate the activities of the office in supporting the preparation and updating of the national disaster preparedness plan and formulation of strategic response action plan.
• In collaboration with all technical section focal points develop the CO Sitreps and support the drafting of the Emergency donors report. 
• Coordinate the country office preparedness and updating of Emergency Preparedness Platform, in liaison with Chiefs of Sections and Operations.
• Ensure Core Commitment for Children sensitive programming, foster harmonious relations with partners and support organizational learning and complementary strategies including the UNICEF Approach to Resilience, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and risk informed programming.
• Coordinate UNICEF’s programmatic approaches linked to risk informed programming and resilience for a better link between humanitarian aid and development.
• Identify potential funding opportunities and develop resources mobilization proposals to support the country office’s efforts to meet its humanitarian targets.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have:

Education: Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines, preferably with a focus on Human Rights.

Work Experience: Minimum Five (5) years of responsible professional work experience at national or international levels in humanitarian response programming, monitoring and evaluation. Experience working in emergency contexts in a developmental setting an asset.  Prior work experience with UNICEF/UN Humanitarian agencies and Government cooperation is preferred. Experience working on resilience programming and familiarity with working in complex programming environment is an asset.

Language: Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

Core values and Competencies

• UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability.
• UNICEF’s core competencies of Nurtures, Leads and Manages People, Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness, Works Collaboratively with others, Builds and Maintains Partnerships, Innovates and Embraces Change ,Thinks and Acts Strategically ,Drives to achieve impactful results, Manages ambiguity and complexity.  The functional competencies required for this post are Analyzing, Deciding and initiating action, Persuading and influencing and Applying Technical Expertise
• To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.