The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced an important vacancy for a Sub-office Coordinator based in Quibdó, Colombia. This full-time, fixed-term position offers experienced humanitarian professionals a unique opportunity to contribute directly to life-saving coordination efforts in one of Colombia’s most complex and vulnerable regions. With an application deadline of 10 January 2026, the role is well suited for candidates committed to humanitarian principles, field leadership, and strengthening local response capacities.
About OCHA and Its Mission in Colombia
OCHA plays a central role in ensuring that humanitarian emergencies are met with timely, effective, and principled responses. Its mandate focuses on saving lives, protecting people affected by crises, and ensuring that humanitarian assistance is coordinated, well-informed, and aligned with national and local capacities.
In Colombia, OCHA works at the intersection of humanitarian action, development, and peacebuilding. The organization supports evidence-based decision-making through strong situational awareness, coordinated data analysis, and advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable populations.
OCHA Colombia also facilitates predictable and flexible humanitarian financing and promotes protection-centered approaches that uphold human dignity and international humanitarian principles.
The Sub-office Coordinator position in Quibdó is embedded within this broader mission, providing leadership at the field level where humanitarian needs are most acute.
The Role: Sub-office Coordinator, Quibdó
The Sub-office Coordinator will be responsible for managing the OCHA sub-office in Quibdó and supporting humanitarian coordination efforts across the surrounding region. Reporting directly to the Humanitarian Affairs Officer, the postholder will lead the Local Coordination Team and serve as a key link between humanitarian partners, local authorities, and national coordination mechanisms.
At its core, the role focuses on operational leadership, humanitarian analysis, coordination, and capacity strengthening. The coordinator ensures that emerging crises are closely monitored, that accurate and timely analysis informs response efforts, and that partners are effectively mobilized to address urgent humanitarian needs.
Key Responsibilities and Areas of Impact
A major component of the role involves humanitarian analysis and situation monitoring. The Sub-office Coordinator will track developments related to emergencies and displacement, assess critical needs, and compile information in line with OCHA methodologies. This analysis supports decision-making, advocacy, and response prioritization, ensuring that humanitarian action is both rapid and evidence-based.
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On the coordination front, the coordinator will oversee daily field office operations, lead inter-agency coordination efforts, and maintain strong working relationships with NGOs, UN agencies, international organizations, and government counterparts. By facilitating meetings, supporting joint planning, and strengthening collaboration, the coordinator helps ensure a coherent and effective humanitarian response.
The position also emphasizes capacity building and preparedness. The Sub-office Coordinator supports local actors in emergency preparedness, contingency planning, and response readiness. This includes identifying strategies to strengthen local capacities and supporting workshops, training sessions, and coordination platforms.
Cross-cutting issues are integral to the role. The coordinator is expected to promote gender mainstreaming across all activities and contribute to discussions on protection-related concerns such as gender-based violence, confinement, recruitment, and humanitarian access. Weekly humanitarian situation reports and other analytical products are also part of the role’s regular outputs.
Required Qualifications and Experience
To be eligible, candidates should hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in fields such as political science, law, social sciences, public administration, international relations, economics, engineering, or business administration. Applicants with a first-level university degree may also qualify if they have at least two years of relevant professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis response, rehabilitation, or development work.
For candidates with a Master’s degree, prior experience is not mandatory, although experience in complex emergency environments, humanitarian coordination, or familiarity with the UN system—particularly in Colombia—is highly desirable. Strong analytical, negotiation, leadership, and interpersonal skills are essential, as the role requires constant engagement with diverse stakeholders under challenging conditions.
Fluency in Spanish and a working knowledge of English (both written and oral) are required.
Core Competencies and Professional Profile
OCHA is seeking candidates who demonstrate a strong results orientation, innovative thinking, adaptability, and determination under pressure. The ability to engage and partner effectively, facilitate coordination, and promote diversity and inclusion is critical. From a technical perspective, competencies in resource management, communication, operations management, systems thinking, and effective decision-making are central to success in this role.
As part of the UN system, the position aligns with UNDP’s broader people management and ethical standards, including a zero-tolerance policy toward harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority.
Contract Details and Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Sub-office Coordinator role is graded at NOA level and offered as a one-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension subject to performance and organizational needs. A probationary period applies, consistent with UNDP fixed-term appointment policies.
UNDP and OCHA are equal opportunity employers and strongly encourage applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Employment decisions are based solely on merit and suitability, without discrimination.
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Why This Opportunity Matters
This position places you at the heart of humanitarian coordination in a region facing persistent challenges. It offers not only professional growth within the UN system but also the chance to make a tangible difference by strengthening collective responses, supporting local capacities, and advocating for the protection of vulnerable communities.
For professionals passionate about humanitarian leadership, coordination, and field-based impact, the Sub-office Coordinator role in Quibdó represents a meaningful and rewarding career opportunity.
