Desk Officer – Pakistan and Nigeria, May 20 Vacancy

I. Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Main Objective

Part of the Operations Department, the Desk Officer supervises mission’s activities in assigned country, provides leadership and vision to the agency’s program agenda, and supports the development of new programs or missions.

Specific objectives

1. General Responsibilities

The main responsibility of the Desk Officer is to ensure that each mission under his/her supervision operates based on a sound humanitarian strategy and follows the ACF standards of operations.

1. Mission management

The post is for management of Pakistan and Nigeria programs.

Supports and follows up field missions on:
    Developing, following and/or amending country strategies
    Safety and Security management (prevention and management)
    Timely answers to specific questions on context and donor policy
Ultimately validate program’s definition as laid out in proposals and assure coherence with ACF operating principles, charter and mandate.
Work with Technical Advisors to ensure that all programs are defined and implemented following ACF technical protocols and quality guidelines, and that new initiatives are implemented as needed.
Track success rate of the program activities completed as per implementation plan.
Responsible through liaison with the field and extensive coordination with NY technical and financial departments:
    To provide timely support in writing, editing, formatting and validating proposals
    To provide timely support in writing, editing, formatting and validating reports

The desk officer must liaise consistently and productively with the Technical Advisors in HQ and have an overall strong knowledge of the technical issues, politics of the region, relevant research, and best practices on all points related to programs and humanitarian issues in the missions he/she supervises.  

1. Programs funding
   Work with Administrators and Finance Controllers to ensure that current and future programs are sufficiently funded and that general support is sufficient for implementation. Keep informed of donors guidelines evolution so he/she can support and validate the writing of proposal’s budget.
2. Donors
   Maintain donors’ correspondence files. Focal point for donor relationship provides relevant update on context, country strategy and programs’ progress. Will explore possibilities of funding with the full range of institutional donors as well as collaborating with the External Relations Dept. to support grant development with other major private donors. Keep informed of donors guidelines evolution so he/she can support and validate the writing of proposals.
3. Work with HR Department
   Validate the organizational structure of the missions, participate in the definition of necessary posts, of job description and help the recruitment process. Brief field expatriates during their passage in New York: Development of mission support documents (country profiles, briefing packets, etc.) For this purpose, interns might be recruited, and their supervision falls under this job description Support and supervise the Country Director: implement evaluation, follow up and assistance on HR related issues, in close liaison with HR Director. Supports the HR Director and the Operations Departments in the recruitment process of expatriates (interviews, evaluations, trainings).
4. To liaise extensively with External Relations Dept. on field issues.
   Develop links between Operations and External Relations, by: Providing information from reports that could be translated into press releases or communiqués Liaising with External Relations to enhance content material for the website Liaising with the External Relations Senior Officer on the definition and provision of contents suitable for wider dissemination and advocacy work Being available for interviews and press related events on matters pertaining to the missions he/she follows
5. Representation in the United States
   Attend relevant conferences and meetings, including for instance monthly Interaction and OCHA/UN meetings when the agenda includes missions under his/her portfolio. Develop a network of key contacts within the circles of NGOs, institutional partners, academia and diplomatic representation.

 

II. Supervisory Responsibilities

The Desk Officer supervises the Country Director (CD) and will write performance review in accordance to HR policy.

He/she may manage 1-2 unpaid HQ staff consisting of volunteers, interns and/or Work-Study students. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

III. Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions.
To travel to the field (usually in the developing world), the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult and highly stressful situations and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

IV. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

The duties of the job require regular attendance at least 5 days/week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations.
Must be able to travel as required (minimum 25%) for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the missions under supervision. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well is to infectious diseases.

V. Requirements

Master's degree or equivalent plus five to ten years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Field experience as Country Director (preferably) with ACF with exposure to highly political, complex emergency and security environments (field experience: minimum 5 years). Field experience in Pakistan and or Nigeria highly desirable. Very solid working knowledge of English is indispensable.
Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles of ACF.
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex and sensitive material and report on it cogently to colleagues.
Demonstrated knowledge of international humanitarian affairs, including a solid understanding of donor policies and procedures (with emphasis on ECHO, OFDA, UN, DFID).
Solid understanding of international humanitarian assistance programs with emphasis on the functions, politics and procedures of the UN system and donor governments.
Relevant experience in Representation and Advocacy. Ability to represent the organization, defend humanitarian positions and arguments in public forums.
Excellent interpersonal skills.

Please apply online at http://actionagainsthunger.theresumator.com/apply/8bYKnn/Desk-Officer-Pa...