Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Head of Sub-Office, P3

Position description

Job Opening ID: 279989
Job Network : Political, Peace and Humanitarian
Job Family : Humanitarian Affairs
Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, P-3
Recruitment Type : Recruit from Roster Job Openings
Duty Station : SITTWAY (SITTWE)
Department/Office : Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Date Posted : Jul 31, 2026
Deadline : Aug 14, 2026

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Crisis Response Division (CRD) in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is 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 to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. This Recruit from Roster (RfR) is being advertised for the position of Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Head of Sub-Office in Sittwe, Myanmar. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, OCHA Myanmar, the incumbent reports to the Deputy Head of Office for Field Coordination.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Head of Sub-Office will be responsible for the following duties: • Manages day-to-day operations of OCHA Rakhine, while monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in assigned country/area. • Organizes and prepares studies on humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues; organizes follow-up work, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues overseeing the OCHA Rakhine team • Drafts and prepares regular situation papers/reports highlighting relevant operational factors affecting the humanitarian situation and response efforts. • Prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc. • Assists in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) • Ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues • Reviews and provides advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance. • Partners with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes and help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations • Provides substantial support to sector/cluster working groups as required and facilitate exchange on cross cutting issues • Establishes and maintains contacts with authorities, other UN, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc. • Supports advocacy initiatives on issues impacting humanitarian needs and response efforts through the collection of information, liaison with humanitarian partners, government officials, the media, etc • Manages the production of appeals for international assistance; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA. • Undertakes and provides support to technical assistance and other field missions, e.g. participates in field trips to undertake in-depth reviews of specific country coordination mechanisms. • Organizes and participates in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters. • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response. Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned country/area. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • 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 & 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or other related area is required. Experience supervising a team in a humanitarian context is required. Experience negotiating humanitarian access in a complex emergency setting with state and non-state actors is required 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 required. Experience representing a UN agency, NGO or similar organization at sub-national level is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Application instructions

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