Director, Humanitarian Sector Division

About the role

The Director of the Humanitarian Sector Division (HSD) leads OCHA’s strategic reform agenda, ensuring coordinated, efficient humanitarian action worldwide. Reporting to the Under‑Secretary‑General/Emergency Relief Coordinator and the Assistant Secretary‑General/Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, the role shapes policy, diplomacy and operational readiness.

Key responsibilities

• Lead a large, cross‑functional and geographically dispersed workforce, integrating coordination, policy, negotiation and information functions in line with the Humanitarian Reset.
• Provide strategic and technical leadership to strengthen international humanitarian response systems and rapid‑response mechanisms.
• Contribute to OCHA’s overall strategies and policies, preparing strategic inputs and advising senior leadership on operational and diplomatic priorities.
• Drive humanitarian diplomacy, including geopolitical analysis, strategic engagement with influential actors and support for principled humanitarian access.
• Develop and implement innovative change‑management initiatives that modernise field coordination and inter‑agency mechanisms.
• Formulate and execute the Division’s substantive work programme, set priorities and allocate resources effectively.

Required profile

• Extensive senior‑level experience in humanitarian coordination, policy development or emergency relief.
• Proven ability to lead large, multi‑disciplinary teams across diverse geographic locations.
• Strong diplomatic and negotiation skills with experience engaging UN agencies, NGOs and government partners.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, change management and innovation within complex humanitarian settings.

Required skills