UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of the UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.
The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services, UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), and the Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio. It provides services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.
UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement defined activities in support of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is a global humanitarian fund with a long-time funding target of $1 billion annually. It is one of the fastest and most effective ways to support rapid humanitarian response for people affected by natural disasters and armed conflict. CERF receives voluntary contributions year-round to provide immediate funding for life-saving humanitarian action anywhere in the world.
CERF Anticipatory Action (AA) frameworks enhance the efficiency of humanitarian aid by delivering life-saving assistance ahead of predictable emergencies, thereby enhancing communities’ resilience to better withstand shocks, and reducing their humanitarian impact. CERF-supported AA frameworks are predominantly for getting ahead of predictable climate-shocks funding complements CERF's core functions by using early warning systems to trigger rapid, pre-arranged financing based on forecasts, in support of UN-led anticipatory action plans. As of August 2024, CERF supports 18 AA frameworks for climate shocks in the form of droughts, storms and floods and for cholera across 15 countries.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The project is seeking to recruit a Humanitarian Operations Senior Officer (Anticipatory Action Officer) to support OCHA’s work in anticipatory action. Since this is a growing area of work within the organization, we are recruiting for a position that will be working with CERF. The Humanitarian Operations Senior Officer needs to be self-motivated and be able to thrive in an international, multidisciplinary team. The right candidate has the skills to work independently and with a team to guide anticipatory action processes across a diverse audience, takes initiative where needed, and demonstrates problem-solving skills.
They will be embedded in the CERF Programme Unit, which has developed the following value statement:
“The CERF secretariat is the steward of hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for life-saving humanitarian action each year and we recognize the magnitude of this task. We take pride in our work and strive for professionalism, speed and efficiency, always putting people affected by humanitarian emergencies first and supporting country teams. Within the programme unit and beyond, we value diversity and show empathy, respect and kindness. We assume positive intent (API) and care about others’ well-being. We value teamwork and collaboration, looking left and right to help each other and flexibly back each other up. We share information in full transparency, and we share our diverse knowledge and expertise. Each team member is responsible for their own area of work, which they are empowered to lead and coordinate. Each team member is encouraged to voice their views and opinions and to provide inputs for decision-making, especially when this contradicts the majority view. It is ok to disagree, but we do so thoughtfully, listening to each other’s arguments and trying to find the best solution. We always look for ways to learn, innovate and improve the way we work. Everybody who wants comes together in a weekly huddle to talk about what goes well and what doesn’t and to talk about things other than work.”
The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.