Org. Setting and Reporting

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 effort. 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. This position is located in the Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU) of OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (OCHA ROAP), based in Bangkok, Thailand. (OCHA ROAP), of which its objective is to provide all related administrative services, both through remote support and physical deployment, to all OCHA offices across the Asia Pacific region. The incumbent reports to Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Head of HFU), OCHA ROAP.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Head of HFU), and overall supervision of the Head of office, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions: 1. Support Head of HFU to lead implementation of the HFU in response to concerns of suspected fraud and misuse of funds by partners: • Establish and maintain contacts with UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other key stakeholders to facilitate early detection of compliance issues in HFU-funded projects and ensure that appropriate prevention and control mechanisms are in place. Ensure stakeholders’ common understanding of funding guidelines and procedures by providing necessary training, particularly on the mitigation of fraud. • Provide guidance on fraud, financial misconduct and sexual misconduct to HFU partners. • Ensure appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms are established, in line with CBPF global guidelines, and inform the HFU Manager and Oversight and Compliance Unit (OCU) of all non-compliance issues. 2. Lead the HFU’s eligibility process by providing training and support to partners and facilitating the registration of new HFU partners through due diligence reviews and capacity assessments: • Provide training and support to partners on the HFU’s eligibility process as well as issues related to fraud and SEA. • Organize awareness raising sessions on the HFU’s eligibility process for prospective partners. • Coordinate with OCHA country-offices, UN agencies and other stakeholders on the identification of potential national/local partners eligible for HFU funding. • Oversee registration, due diligence, and capacity assessment processes for new HFU partner organizations. • Conduct preliminary screening of prospective HFU partners, including the revision and verification of administrative paperwork, internal guidelines on financial, human resource and procurement processes, as well as anti-fraud and PSEA policies and facilitate registration of potential HFU partners in the UN Partner Portal (UNPP). 3. Lead oversight of OCHA assurance actions: • Ensure compliance of partners with the signed Grant Agreement and HFU Operational Manual by overseeing budget implementation and revision, financial spot checks, financial reporting, audit procedures and refund processes for HFU-funded projects. • Update financial spot check report templates in accordance with the global CBPF operational guidelines and the HFU’s Risk Management Framework. • Regularly monitor OCHA’s Assurance Dashboard and collaborate with the HFU team to ensure necessary actions are taken in a timely manner to resolve any outstanding matters. 4. Facilitate communication with and support to HFU partners and other stakeholders to promote compliance with applicable rules and governance documents: • Ensure regular information sharing on compliance with the HFU Operational Manual with the Head of HFU Manager. • Contribute to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g., quarterly and annual reports, background and analysis papers, policy guidelines, briefings, presentations, correspondence, etc. related to HFU risk management and compliance matters. • Facilitate OCHA Executive Officer waiver request processes by effectively coordinating with partners and focal points at the CBPF Section’s Finance, Fund Management Support, and Oversight and Compliance units. • Maintain an up-to-date list of pending issues from audit reports, field visit/remote call reports, financial spot check reports, refunds, etc. for all HFU-funded partners and follow up with them on the implementation of recommendations from monitoring processes before the launch of a new HFU allocation. 5. Lead periodic revision of the HUF Risk Management Framework and Operational Manual in line with CBPF global guidelines: • Ensure the HFU Operational Manual aligns with CBPF global guidelines and relevant SOPs. • Facilitate awareness raising activities for partners, the HFU Advisory Board and other stakeholders on changes in current guidelines and their implications whenever major revisions are made. • Provide regular technical assistance and training on effective risk management for HFU partners. • Identify, analyze & manage key risks that may inhibit the HFU’s pursuit of its objectives and set out corresponding mitigation strategies/actions, including the periodic review of Risk Management Framework and the HFU Operational Manual. 6. Lead reviews of the HFU by UN oversight bodies, including the BoA and OIOS including compile all data and information required to support oversight procedures and prepare responses to queries from BoA and OIOS, as necessary.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance and related human rights issues. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery). 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. • 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. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. • Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in project management, development studies, international relations, public administration, economics, accounting or a related field is required. A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

A certificate or diploma in project management is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years (or 7 years if graduated with a first-level university degree) in areas of grant and/or programme management, humanitarian affairs, humanitarian emergencies, donor relations, monitoring and evaluation, communication and reporting, budget management and/or administration-financing is required. Experience in humanitarian financing, e.g., grant management, fundraising, and donor relations for humanitarian programmes is required. Experience in risk and compliance management is required. Experience in humanitarian context within the UN Common system or other comparable international organization is desirable. Experience in humanitarian assistance is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

Special Notice

Candidates must be Thai nationals. Appointment against this post is on a local basis; candidates shall be Thai nationals and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the ESCAP office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Thai nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to travelling and relocating to Bangkok in the event of an employment offer. Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements. The initial appointment is for a period of one year. Extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.