Humanitarian Affairs Officer–UN OCHA , UN Jobs Afghanistan

• Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
• Location: Kabul
• Grade: Level not specified – Level not specified
• Occupational Groups:
  • Communication and Public Information
  • Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
• Closing Date: 2023-02-28

This position is open to Afghanistan Nationals ONLY

BACKGROUND

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 for the rights of people in need
• promote preparedness and prevention.
• facilitate sustainable solutions.

In December 1991, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 46/182 designed to strengthen the United Nation’s response to both complex emergencies and natural disasters. In addition, it aimed at improving the overall effectiveness of the UN’s humanitarian operations in the field.

• Afghanistan remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.  In 2023, 28.3 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance as the country enters its third consecutive year of drought-like conditions and the second year of crippling economic decline, all the while still reeling from the after-effects of decades of conflict and recurrent natural disasters. Over four decades of conflict, coupled with climate change, environmental degradation, and insufficient investment in disaster risk reduction strategies, have contributed to the increasing vulnerability of the Afghan people to cope with the sudden shock of natural disasters and increased risks posed to livelihoods. On average, each year, around 230,000 people are affected by natural disasters. Destruction of shelters, crops, food stocks and damage to household and community assets such as water and sanitation infrastructure result in the need for emergency support to protect people from the elements.

Given the context in which it is operating, the National PIO will help strengthen OCHA’s humanitarian coordination, disaster preparedness, and response in the field offices. Activities include communicating on humanitarian priorities, response and challenges and supporting public information and advocacy activities as defined by the OCHA Afghanistan office.

Position Purpose:

The position is expected to provide direct support to the OCHA Afghanistan units in relation to public information, reporting, strategy development, monitoring and assisting in administrative and logistical issues where required.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Head of Public Information, the incumbent will be expected to be able to perform the following, but tasks will be assigned according to OCHA Afghanistan requirements and capacity:

Summary of key functions:

• Public information
• Information Management
• Coordination with partners

1.)        Public information

• Prepares high-quality communication products and analysis by establishing and maintaining the reporting system within the region.
• Drafts or contributes to the drafting of regular OCHA products on the humanitarian situation across the country (i.e.: daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly).
• Ensures the flow of information and analysis of developments in the region, including tracking trends and sharing information.
• Ensures implementation of public information activities to publicize priority issues and/or major events of humanitarian significance, including drafting information strategies, coordinating efforts, monitoring, and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analyzing the outcome.
• Undertakes activities to facilitate accurate and humanitarian-focused media coverage (e.g., press releases, interviews, background briefings, and other special activities), including film and photo coverage, of priority issues and/or major events, including World Humanitarian Day.
• Prepares content for multimedia platforms including Twitter and Facebook to draw attention to humanitarian needs and response in Afghanistan, including the work of the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund;

2.)        Information Management

• Monitors and analyzes current events in the country, public opinion, and press, identify issues and trends and advises management on appropriate action/responses and approaches for media relations.
• Coordinates with key regional stakeholders on advocacy initiatives to ensure coherent media strategy and common messaging.
• Contributes content to and maintains appropriate and timely web and social media outreach through OCHA Afghanistan’s social media platforms; and may draft content for the Humanitarian Coordinator or OCHA HQ as needed.
• Monitors the performance of public information products, including feedback, and adjusts accordingly.
• Curates and translates and social media content for local audiences and monitors trends and comments on social media platforms including amplification of content from humanitarian partners as appropriate. Supports the gathering of content to build OCHA Afghanistan’s photo library/catalogue including photos and video.
• Translates OCHA products, including press statements, humanitarian updates, infographics etc. as necessary.
• Monitors and tracks social media metrics on a monthly basis to measure profile performance and provide insights and learnings on best performing content.

3.)        Coordination with partners

• Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies, including establishing and maintaining a network of media and regional humanitarian communications focal points.
• Participates in coordination meetings such as the UNCG or other working groups as required.
• Supports outreach to local media outlets/networks at the national and sub-national level.
• Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc.
• Supports efforts to highlight the value-added role of OCHA to Member States as well as the media and the public, in support of fundraising and visibility of OCHA.
• Manages third party vendors in the production of public information products.
• Provides guidance to other sections on public information best practices, may supervise, more junior staff, and performs other duties as required.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies: 

• Achieve Results-LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively-LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously-LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility-LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination-LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner-LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion-LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

General (across the functions)-Event planning and execution:

• Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as OCHA’s overall brand and mandate.

General (across the functions) Public relations:

• Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organization, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public

Communications-Brand & quality management:

• Ability to position a OCHA brand and uphold it to a high level of quality

Communications-Media Relations

• Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages

Multimedia production:

• Ability to create and combine images, text and audio-visuals to produce multimedia content.

Digital & Innovation Innovation management:

• Being able to create the strategies, conditions, structures, and systems to enable innovation at an organizational level.

Business Management-Customer Satisfaction / Client Management:

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfill and understand the real customers’ needs.
• Provide input to the development of customer service strategy.

Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, or related field.

OR

• Two (2) years’ experience with bachelor’s degree in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration, or related area, including at least a year with an international organization.

Experience:  

• Master’s degree with no year of experience or Two (2) years’ experience with bachelor’s degree in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration, or related area, including at least a year with an international organization.
• Humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is added advantage.
• Experience with crisis communications, reports, and feature writing, the UN common system, and field experience in the region is desirable.
• Prior UN experience and familiarity with its policies and procedures, particularly in the applicable job area, is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English, Pashto, or Dari is required

Applicant information about UNOCHA rosters

Note: UNOCHA reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNOCHA at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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