Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
Location: Nairobi
Grade: Level not specified – Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
Banking and Finance
Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
Managerial positions
Closing Date: 2024-10-19
Background
The position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Somalia, based in Nairobi, Kenya. 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 OCHA-managed Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) is a multi-donor country-based pooled mechanism created in 2010 to allocate funding for the most urgent life-saving interventions in Somalia. Combining flexibility and strategic focus, the Fund ensures timely allocation and disbursement of resources, enables effective humanitarian action, and strengthens coordination. This position-specific job opening is being published for the position of HAO Pooled Fund Manager based in Nairobi, Kenya, and requires frequent travel to Somalia. The incumbent will report directly to the Head of Office in OCHA Somalia.
Duties and Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the HAO Pooled Fund manager 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 HCT and OCHA strategies on humanitarian financing and resource mobilization.
Advises the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), OCHA Head of Office 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 country, 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 HC and Head of Office 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 Head of Office in establishing and maintaining contact with humanitarian donors for SomaliaVen, with the aim of developing strategic partnerships and supporting resource mobilization strategies for the Humanitarian Response Plan 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.
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.
PLANNING and ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
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.
Required Skills and Experience
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 in combination with seven (7) years of relevant experience is required.
A first-level university degree in combination with nine (9) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
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 areas is required.
Experience in areas of project management, monitoring, and evaluation, donor engagement, or resource mobilization is required.
Experience working for humanitarian pooled funds is required.
Experience in the UN Common System or comparable international organization is desirable.
Two years work experience working for humanitarian pooled funds is desirable
Experience in the East African region is desirable.
Language:
Fluency in English is required and
Fluency in Somali is desirable.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.