UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF)
Consultant – Field Support Officer – Lugansk, Ukraine
BACKGROUND
As of December 2014, the humanitarian situation in parts of eastern Ukraine remains volatile and is continuing to deteriorate. Key informants describe some families moving back to the active conflict area as a result of discrimination and growing intolerance, and humanitarian actors have adopted a ‘do no harm’ approach inclusive of host communities to ensure that humanitarian interventions do not exacerbate existing challenges.[1] At least 4,356 people have been killed (including 298 from flight MH-17) and 10,016 have been wounded in eastern Ukraine as of 25 November 2014.[2] The number of people displaced within Ukraine has more than doubled, from 190,000 in late August 2014 to over 508,000, while more than 545,000 (200,000 in late August) people have fled to seek refuge in neighboring countries. While the burden on host communities is increasing, humanitarian access to certain areas remains limited, particularly in zones where armed hostilities are taking place, and hampering the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable.[3]
In April 2014, taking into account the occupation of Crimea and destabilization in Ukraine, UNICEF hired 3 Field Monitors covering 6 oblasts of Ukraine.
PURPOSE
Each Field Support Officer will provide routine monitoring and regular updates about the situation on social infrastructure, affected populations, IDPs, returnees in their respective regions and on any arising children’s rights issues which will enable UNICEF to prepare for potential intervention in order to prevent any child rights violation or to meet the needs of the children and women in difficult circumstances.
Deliverables based on the work plan:
  • Weekly plans (each Friday 09:00 AM);
  • Weekly reports (each Tuesday 09:00 AM) inclusive of data on UNICEF emergency response;
  • Weekly human interest stories in a format provided by UNICEF;
  • Photo shoots from sites of supplies and with beneficiaries on each UNICEF supply.Ad hoc reports as requested by UNICEF;
  • Distribution reports as necessary;
  • Minutes of participation in regional OCHA coordination and sector meetings; trip reports.
  1. Details of how the work should be delivered:
The Field Suport Officer will:
  • Provide oblast situation monitoring on a weekly basis by Tuesday 09:00 AM,[4] for evaluation to the Emergency Coordinator. Once feedback from the Emergency Coordinator is received by the Field Support Officer, the Field Support Officerresponds to feedback and sends an upgraded version of the reportin 24 hours;
  • Establish contacts with the government authorities, non-government and UN partners to ensure and immediate response as necessary on the ground, exchange informationon UNICEF response with local partners inter alia;
  • Participate in regional OCHA coordination and sector meetings as applicable;
  • Visit programme implementation sites, travel within the region to assess conditions of IDPs, returnees and local population as per the weekly plan;
  • Participate via phone/skype in weekly emergency meetings with the UNICEF Ukraine Country Office.
  1. Performance indicators for evaluation of results:
  • Quantity of work (no. of field trips per week as per weekly plan; no. of supplies verified through a spot check; no. of regional coordination meetings attended; targets to be set on a monthly basis with the supervisor);
  • Number of corrections and mistakes identified in the situation monitoring weekly report (any data that is inaccurate (target: 0 per report);
  • Quality of work (Quality of the reports and documents developed);
  • Responsibility (timeliness of submission and accuracy of reports and information requested by UNICEF; consistency in reporting);
  • Feedback from UNICEF Country Office, including feedback from the immediate supervisor, colleagues and NGO partners in the field on the work of the Field Support Officer.
  1. Qualifications/specialized knowledge/experience required to complete the task:
  • Master’s Degree in social sciences, public health, management, strategic planning or other relevant fields;
  • 5+ years of progressive monitoring and reporting experience for an NGO and/or government/UN
  • 5+ years of experience in conducting assessments
  • 5+ years of experience in implementation of community-based initiatives;
  • Proven excellent communication and networking skills;
  • Excellent command of Ukrainian, Russian, and English;
  • Previous experience with UNICEF and any other UN agency will be an asset.
  1. Description of official travel involved:
The monthly fee of the Consultant is inclusive of the travel expenses necessary to perform the duties within the assigned geographical area of responsibility thus no reimbursement claims will be accepted by the CO.
Travel will be authorised upon completion of the UNICEF’s “Basic Security in the Field” Course, “Advanced Security in the Field” Course, and “Landmine and Explosive Remnants of War Safety Training”.
The Consultant will agree upon the travel plan with the supervisor (on a monthly basis).
The deadline for submission of applications is 03 April, 2015.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Applicants that fulfil the above requirements are requested to complete a United Nations Personal History Form (P. 11) which is available at a web-site and submit it together with a CV and a cover letter describing your professional interests in working for UNICEF.
Please, indicate Field Officer Support - Luganskin the subject.
E-mail:
Remarks
* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
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[1] Serious violations of the ceasefire agreed in Minsk, Belarus are being reported daily and shelling has intensified in some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

[2] OHCHR/WHO

[3] OCHA, Humanitarian Needs Overview,

[4]Based on a questionnaire provided by UNICEF.