Background:

To assist the Government of Pakistan in addressing the humanitarian challenges faced by the Pakistani population, especially after the recent floods in the country, OCHA provides support to UN agencies, NGOs, donors and other humanitarian organizations working in Pakistan. One of OCHA's strategic priorities is to ensure collection, analysis and dissemination of information – of which, the assessment of needs are the most fundamental for proper planning and coordination of the humanitarian community’s timely and adequate delivery of humanitarian assistance to the populations. As such, the Assessment Coordinator/Expert is a key role in a humanitarian response.

Responsibilities:
Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Head of Office, the Assessment Coordinator/Expert will be responsible for the following:

1. Co-chair the Assessment Working Group with the NDMA counterpart and lead the Assessment Technical Team in accordance with established Terms of reference;

2. Ensure implementation of agreed upon SOPs and guidelines for coordinated assessments and monitoring in any emergencies;

3. Support and provide technical guidance in any improvements needed of the methodologies, SOPs or guidelines;

4. Provide leadership and guidance in initiating planning and undertaking ofany multi-cluster initiative/assessments that will be called upon;

5. Work in close collaboration with the clusters as to improve joint multi sector and cluster specific assessments and surveys;

6. Guide and provide technical support to clusters and agencies when designing surveys and ensure alignment in methodology, use of indicators and guidelines with the outlined AWG SOPs;

7. Provide and lead the inter-sectoral analyses of collected needs information and draft needs assessments reports;

8. Maintain an updated assessment registry and an up to date overview of the needs situation country wide;

9. Consolidate assessment results from diverse sources (joint assessments initiatives, other assessments, secondary data, baseline data, remote sensing);

10. Promote innovative technologies to improve effectiveness and efficiency in information management;

11. Ensure engagement and participation is achieved from provincial level and all relevant agencies;

12. Work closely with the Information Management Unit, Field Coordination Unit and Reporting Unit within OCHA;

13. Perform any duties that might be requested.

Competencies:

Technical Skills

· Must have strong knowledge of Excel and MS Access. Skills in SPSS or other statistical software and GIS are an asset.

· Ability to present information in understandable tables, charts and graphs

· Communications and technical writing using both graphic and narrative presentations

· Data management skills

· Assessment, survey and Monitoring and Evaluation expertise

Managerial Skills

· Able to manage and work with a multidisciplinary team and provide leadership and guidance for assessment operations

· Excellent written and oral presentation skills

· Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills

· Willingness and ability to work in hardship environments

· Cultural and gender sensitivity

· Good knowledge of humanitarian coordination practices

· Ability to lead in context of partnership-building and consensual decision-making

Core Competencies:

Professionalism – Comprehensive knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of humanitarian issues , emergency relief and related human rights issues; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to analyze and articulate the protection dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response; demonstrated problem-solving skills; and very good knowledge of region of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions; strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement; ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian protection and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system; demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations; ability to relate humanitarian protection issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, economic, social and human rights programmes in affected region.

Communication – Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts, recommendations and presentations to staff at senior levels and donors, both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style in English as well as in Urdu.

Planning & Organizing – Ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Client orientation – Ability to identify client’s needs and match them to appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain effective and productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; capacity to keep clients informed of [progress or setbacks in ongoing projects. Ability to monitor ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’’ environment to keep informed and anticipate potential problems

Teamwork – Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.