Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer / Deputy Head of Office

About the role

The Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer will serve as Deputy Head of Office for OCHA Afghanistan, supporting strategic and field coordination, communication, humanitarian financing and information management. Reporting to the Head of Office and under the Director of the Crisis Response Division, the role contributes to the UN’s mission to coordinate effective humanitarian action in emergencies.

Key responsibilities

• Act as Deputy Head of Office, overseeing strategic coordination, field operations, communication, pooled funding and information management.
• Provide high‑level technical and policy advice to UN agencies, Member States and other partners on humanitarian programmes and the humanitarian programme cycle.
• Monitor and influence the performance of OCHA’s humanitarian mandate and contribute to the evolution of UN humanitarian policy, including gender considerations.
• Develop and implement coherent disaster‑response strategies and procedures, especially for strategic coordination.
• Lead multi‑agency teams in disaster assessments, mobilise international assistance, manage appeals and prepare situation reports for the international community.
• Design and manage major projects, ensuring adequate staff, funding, equipment and supplies.

Required profile

• Extensive senior‑level experience in humanitarian coordination, emergency response or disaster management.
• Strong knowledge of the UN humanitarian system, humanitarian financing mechanisms and policy development.
• Proven leadership skills with experience managing multi‑agency teams in complex emergencies.
• Ability to integrate gender considerations and link humanitarian actions with political and peace‑keeping functions.
• Excellent analytical, strategic planning and communication abilities.

Required skills