Expert profiles that are currently in much demand by the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit

Tasks

As a specialist in CVA or social protection, you may be deployed to a partner organisation (e.g. WFP, UNICEF, ICRC, IFRC, other international organisations) or be attached to an SDC cooperation office abroad. Your mission will include the following tasks:

• Developing and implementing CVA programmes, possibly in connection with the social protection system in your country of deployment;
• Carrying out feasibility studies, including market analyses, risk analyses, and the evaluation and selection of partner organisations and financial service providers;
• Supporting open and constructive communication with the relevant interest groups;
• Working together with partner organisations and/or the authorities in charge of planning and implementing humanitarian programmes;
• Developing and implementing standard operating procedures;
• Staff training and capacity building;
• Coordinating with partner organisations and participating in or (co-)chairing coordination committees on CVA or social protection;
• Strategic planning, advocacy and policy dialogue;
• Programme monitoring and evaluation as well as reporting.

Examples of missions undertaken by Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit specialists in CVA:

• Programme Policy Officer Cash and Social Protection, deployed to WFP in Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Humanitarian Affairs Officer Cash, deployed to OCHA in Dnipro, Ukraine

Skills

Ideally, you will have experience in implementing and managing CVA programmes or experience in working with governments on social protection. You have good knowledge of project management (PCM) and the multilateral humanitarian system. You have excellent social skills and intercultural sensitivity, and are a team player.
 

Qualifications

Five years' professional experience, including at least two years in a humanitarian or development context abroad in a relevant subject area. University degree or equivalent qualification in international relations, development cooperation, political science, social science, economics, business or a related field.

Tasks

You will work in the construction and rehabilitation of public buildings, private housing and infrastructure. You may also be required to work in the context of migration or humanitarian emergencies abroad. Within the framework of these projects, you will manage, in close collaboration with local partners, all tasks related to the different phases of architectural and engineering projects (strategic planning, preliminary study, design, tendering, and implementation). Your work may also involve clarifying the needs of populations and communities affected by conflict or disaster. You will also have to cooperate with SHA partners, national and international actors in the sector (non-governmental and UN organisations, authorities) as well as with the Swiss representations on the ground (cooperation office, embassy).

Skills

You are a reliable person, show initiative and flexibility and are able to work efficiently and independently; you are willing to take on responsibility for projects.

Qualifications

You have a university degree or equivalent professional training in architecture or civil engineering. You have at least five years of professional experience, at least two of which must have been abroad, ideally with an international organisation. You are willing to invest yourself in missions of at least 6 months abroad.

Tasks

As a WASH specialist, your job is to plan and implement the programmes to construct water supply and sanitation network systems. This includes all tasks relating to the construction process (identifying water sources, design, planning and implementation). You will use your technical expertise to ensure the technical integrity of the projects, which are often implemented in difficult contexts.

Requirements

You are reliable, flexible and take the initiative. You work independently and efficiently, and you are prepared to take on responsibility for a project.

Qualifications

You have a degree from a higher education institution or an equivalent vocational training qualification in civil or environmental engineering, hydrogeology, geology or the natural sciences. You have at least 8 years’ professional experience (minimum 3 years abroad), ideally within an international organisation. You are ready to commit to missions abroad that are at least 6 months long.

Tasks

Maintaining Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) projects and programmes aimed at improving disaster management systems by devising structural and non-structural measures such as risk assessments, developing preparedness plans/strategies, rescue training courses, community-based DRR, land use/catchment area management, early warning systems, awareness-raising, etc. and introducing DRR/CCA (climate change adaption) concepts in development projects as an overarching theme; additional tasks include policy dialogue, capacity building and networking in the DRR field with state institutions and project partners.

Skills

Proven skills in managing programmes and projects, particularly in the field of DRR; knowledge of the humanitarian challenges related to major natural disasters; good communication, conceptual and analytical skills.

Qualifications

University degree in environmental science (natural resources management, geography, geology, agronomy, forestry, rural engineer) or equivalent qualification with experience in disaster management/prevention and knowledge of key DRR and CCA concepts.

Tasks

Attached to an SDC office or seconded to a United Nations agency (UNHCR, UNICEF, UNRWA, WFP, IOM), you perform the following tasks:

• evaluate, monitor and analyse needs in terms of protecting and assisting different groups of refugees or IDPs via field visits;
• identify partnerships, formulate recommendations and assist governments or authorities in charge of planning and implementing protection programmes;
• coordinate operations to distribute goods and support services with other partners;
• advocate for protection activities at the regional/national policy level.

Actual examples of assignments performed by Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit experts in the field of protection/child protection

• Child Protection Capacity-Building Specialist, seconded to UNICEF, Belgrade, Serbia
• Protection Mainstreaming Officer, seconded to UNRWA, Gaza, Palestine

Skills

Five years' professional experience, at least two of which have been spent abroad working in the field of international protection, experience in managing/developing protection programmes, in particular for the protection of children in armed conflict, knowledge of the multilateral environment and its mechanisms, working with governments and humanitarian negotiations.

Qualifications

University degree or equivalent qualification in international humanitarian law and/or human rights, political science, international relations, development studies, social science or other related field.

Tasks

Attached to an SDC office or seconded to a United Nations agency (UNFPA/UNHCR/UNICEF, IFRC), you are responsible for:

• providing support and protection to victims/survivors,
• developing and implementing GBV projects/programmes, including monitoring and evaluation together with partners,
• developing and implementing standard operating procedures/referral pathways,
• participating in or (co-)chairing GBV coordination bodies,
• strategic planning, advocacy and consultancy.

Actual examples of assignments performed by Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit experts in the field of GBV prevention:

• Regional GBV Specialist, GBV Area of Responsibility, seconded to UNFPA, Nairobi, Kenya
• Protection Officer (GBV) for UNHCR, Khartoum, Sudan

Skills

You have five years' professional experience, at least two of which have been spent in a humanitarian or development context abroad working in a relevant field (gender-based violence (GBV), gender equality, protection/human rights, sexual and reproductive health); you have a clear understanding of the impact of power and violence on the lives of women and girls, boys and men. You are familiar with GBV guidelines, gender mainstreaming in humanitarian and development programmes, the victim-centred approach and gender equality. You have experience in project management and knowledge of the multilateral humanitarian system. Experience dealing with survivors of GBV in Switzerland or abroad is a plus.

Qualifications

University degree or equivalent qualification in international relations, development cooperation on GBV prevention, health, social science, social work, community development or other related field.

Tasks

Attached to an SDC office or seconded to a United Nations agency (UNHCR, IOM, UNDP, etc.), you are responsible for:

• dealing with, coordinating and advising on migration/forced displacement and durable solutions.
• You analyse situations and policy scenarios and develop effective advocacy strategies.
• You identify project development opportunities and monitor and evaluate the specific stages of project/programme implementation.

Actual examples of assignments performed by Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit experts in the field of migration/durable solutions:

• Durable Solutions Coordinator, seconded to UNDP, Mogadishu, Somalia
• Durable Solutions Adviser (DSA), seconded to UNDP, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Skills

Five years' professional experience, at least two of which have been spent abroad working in the field of major international policy processes for the governance and management of migration and forced displacement; knowledge of the concepts, methods and operational applications associated with durable solutions; ability to strengthen strategic partnerships for effective implementation; understanding of project management tools.

Qualifications

Specific training in international law, political science and/or international relations, focusing on the legal bases governing migration and forced displacement (refugee protection regime, internally displaced persons, migration governance) at global, regional and national level, as well as international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

Tasks

Attached to a Swiss Cooperation Office / Embassy or seconded to a United Nations agency (UNICEF, UNHCR, etc.), you ensure that conflict-affected children have access to quality education in a safe and inclusive learning environment by performing the following tasks:

• identifying education project development opportunities and monitoring and evaluating the specific stages of project/programme implementation
• coordinating with local partners, government stakeholders, and other humanitarian actors
• providing technical support to education and protection staff
• developing strategies to identify out-of-school children and bring them into the formal education system

Skills

You have five years of professional experience, at least two of which have been spent in a humanitarian or development context abroad working in a relevant field (education in emergencies, child protection, education and vocational skills development). You are familiar with the concepts and methods associated with Education in Emergencies. You have experience in project management and knowledge of the multilateral humanitarian system.

Qualifications

University degree or equivalent qualification in international relations, human rights, pedagogy, social science or other related field.

Tasks

Seconded to a UN agency (WFP, FAO, IFAD) or to a Swiss Cooperation Office / Embassy, your main responsibilities may be: Supporting the coordination of a food security cluster. Apart from that the main goal is to support the development and implementation of integrated approaches within development and humanitarian aid programmes that address the linkages between food systems, agriculture, nutrition and livelihoods. An important factor will be to rapidly assess food security and nutrition needs in humanitarian crises and contribute to the design and implementation of emergency response interventions, including food distribution, cash transfers, and nutrition support. Tasks will include conducting comprehensive analyses and assessments of food systems, including their vulnerabilities, strengths and linkages with other sectors such as health, water and energy. It will also identify key actors, resources and opportunities for intervention in food systems. Develop strategies and action plans to promote sustainable and resilient food systems that prioritise food security, nutrition and livelihoods, especially in crisis-affected and vulnerable communities. And integrate principles of climate resilience, gender equality and social inclusion into food systems programming. Example of a recent assignment: Senior nexus programme officer, deployed to IFAD, Dakar, Senegal, regional tasks

Skills

5 years of professional experience, at least two of which must have been abroad in the humanitarian field of food security / food systems; comprehensive understanding of food systems dynamics, encompassing agriculture, nutrition, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic factors. Strong analytical skills to assess complex food security challenges, identify strategic intervention points, and develop integrated solutions that address the interconnectedness of food-related issues. Additionally, effective communication and collaboration abilities are crucial for fostering partnerships, advocating for policy changes, and mobilizing stakeholders to promote sustainable and resilient food systems.

Qualifications

University degree – or equivalent professional training – in food policy, food safety, nutrition, agriculture, economics, rural development, environmental sciences, sustainable development or other related fields.

Tasks

Seconded to a UN agency (WFP, UNICEF, FAO, IFAD, WHO), the primary objective of the Nutrition Nexus Specialist is to support the design, implementation and evaluation of integrated nutrition interventions within development and humanitarian assistance programmes, focusing on addressing the multi-sectoral determinants of malnutrition. Undertake comprehensive assessments of nutritional status, including prevalence and causes of malnutrition, in different populations and geographical areas. Analysing the underlying determinants of malnutrition, such as food insecurity, inadequate health care, poor sanitation and socio-economic inequalities in specific contexts is part of the tasks.

In addition to that develop evidence-based strategies and action plans to improve nutrition outcomes, integrating interventions across sectors, including (public) health, agriculture, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education and livelihoods. This also ensures that nutrition interventions are context-specific, culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of vulnerable populations, including women, children and marginalised groups.

Skills

5 years of professional experience, at least two of which must have been in the humanitarian field of nutrition / public health / food security / food systems; comprehensive understanding of nutrition / primary health / food systems dynamics, encompassing agriculture, nutrition, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic factors. Strong analytical skills to assess complex food and nutrition security challenges, identify strategic intervention points, and develop integrated solutions that address the interconnectedness of malnutrition. Additionally, effective communication and collaboration abilities are crucial for fostering partnerships, advocating for policy changes, and mobilizing stakeholders to promote healthy nutrition and resilient food systems.

Qualifications

University degree – or equivalent professional training – in nutrition, food policy, food safety, agriculture, economics, rural development, environmental sciences, sustainable development or other related fields.