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Humanitarian Technical Competencies Updated August 2011
Technical Competencies: Humanitarian Advisers
The focus of DFID’s Humanitarian Advisory Cadre is to support DFID’s
humanitarian policy as well as humanitarian response in developing countries
– both long term/chronic and acute/rapid onset. Humanitarian Advisers also
have a key role in building resilience and helping reduce the risks of
humanitarian crises including climate change, disasters, food insecurity,
violence or conflict. Humanitarian Advisers do this through:
Humanitarian risk assessment and analysis
Managing and planning humanitarian responses
Understanding of humanitarian theory, practice and architecture
Qualifications and Experience
All Humanitarian Advisers are required to have a minimum of a masters
degree or equivalent level of academic and professional experience in a
subject area clearly related to humanitarian work. In exceptional
circumstances substantial experience will be accepted in lieu of higher
degrees. Knowledge and experience gained working on or in developing
countries and/or in fragile and conflict affected environments, is required.
Humanitarian Advisers are required to demonstrate knowledge and
experience of technical competencies alongside the core DFID competencies.
Competence Levels by Grade
The required competence level at each grade is summarised in Table 1.
Table 1 - Humanitarian Primary and Specialist Technical Competencies by Grade
A2L/SEO A2/G7 A1/G6
Technical Competencies
1 Level of understanding of the required Broad – all Strong with Fully proficient
technical competencies depth in some in all aspects
aspects - all
2 Knowledge of desired technical Not required One Both - broad
competencies based
Shared Advisory Competencies
3 Knowledge and understanding of Not required Yes Yes to
shared technical competencies leadership level
Core DFID Competencies
4 DFID Core Competencies At Grade At Grade At Grade
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Humanitarian Technical Competencies Updated August 2011
Technical Competencies: Humanitarian
REQUIRED
Humanitarian risks For example, knowledge/understanding of:
assessment and
analysis context in which they operate including in particular gender,
climate, conflict, and security risks
early warning and early response systems
humanitarian risk assessment methodologies and analysis
humanitarian implications of political, media, scientific, and
other non humanitarian reporting
government and non government capacities and readiness
for humanitarian analysis and response
Enabling Advisers to:
draw timely, objective and accurate judgments regarding
risk reduction and humanitarian response, based on
relevant political, social, legal, economic historic and
anthropometric analysis and data
provide advice to geographic and policy departments
regarding the scale, severity and urgency of humanitarian
risks, and advise on steps necessary to ensure these
adequately and appropriately addressed by DFID and
others
where appropriate, work with geographic and policy
departments to strengthen the capacity of governments to
plan for and respond to humanitarian crises, and to be
accountable for their actions in disaster management
contribute to the development of relevant country strategies
specifying how humanitarian and developmental resources
can be deployed to reduce risk and meet basic needs in
line with humanitarian principles
work with regional and policy departments to ensure that
humanitarian issues are addressed as an integral part of
DFID’s work, providing support and advice as required
report succinctly and effectively on humanitarian risks.
Planning and managing For example, knowledge/understanding of:
humanitarian
responses context, operating environment, including security issues
humanitarian principles and best practice
the principles of Good Humanitarian Donorship
the respective roles and responsibilities of different
agencies
the repertoire of possible interventions including gender
dimensions, the actions required to deliver them and the
respective risks associated with them
international humanitarian aid architecture
humanitarian monitoring and evaluation best practice
scale and timing of required responses, and how these
relate to other interventions, including developmental ones.
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Humanitarian Technical Competencies Updated August 2011
Enabling Advisers to:
advise DFID and HMG more broadly on the range of
humanitarian options, including on financing and other
forms of support, and on when to withdraw humanitarian
inputs
develop a comprehensive package of responses, including
an effective strategy of financial support to relief agencies;
effective working with the broader international
humanitarian system and other donors; and, where
relevant, efforts by the UK and others to support
humanitarian diplomacy
monitor the performance of key partners, in particular of the
UN, in terms of both operational delivery and coordination
roles. Analyse more broadly the overall impact and
effectiveness of the humanitarian response
advise on the balance of risks related to different types of
interventions – for example home based v. centre based
therapeutic feeding
identify the most important constraints on humanitarian
interventions, to advise on how these constraints might be
removed, and what it means if they cannot.
Humanitarian theory, For example, knowledge/understanding of:
practice and
architecture humanitarian tools, methodologies, theory and practice,
survey techniques and other analytical tools
HMG and international humanitarian response system,
particularly other state supporters of humanitarian
responses, the UN, NGOs and Red Cross system. Civil-
Military Cooperation (CIMIC) issues, including with
Peacekeeping Operations
humanitarian standards, human rights, international
humanitarian law and other relevant legal and customary
standards
expectations of overall systemic performance
humanitarian funding mechanisms and associated
reporting
DFID humanitarian operational and policy objectives
UK policies with regard to improving international
humanitarian system
Enabling Advisers to:
have a firm grip on the theoretic and technical
underpinnings of humanitarian action
understand and advise on the overall international
response and the position of UK within this
flag up and explain standards and legal issues
advise on proper relationships and respective roles of
international military and humanitarian engagement
ensure that DFID’s response is in line with humanitarian
principles and law, and does not inadvertently contribute to
increasing the risks facing affected populations
promote UK humanitarian reform agenda, and interact with
the wider humanitarian community, including donors.
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Humanitarian Technical Competencies Updated August 2011
DESIRED
Disaster Risk For example, knowledge/understanding of:
Reduction theory,
practice and DFID Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Policy and
architecture (required Implementation Plan
for certain posts) DRR methodologies, theory, best practice and analytical
tools
DRR programmes, objectives and priorities
indicators for monitoring and evaluating effectiveness of
DRR programmes, including cost effectiveness
International system and funding mechanisms for DRR,
including the 10% commitment
how DRR applies to different contexts and how it relates to
other sectors, including climate change adaptation, food
security, social protection (safety nets) and the private
sector
Enabling Advisers to:
advise DFID on most effective way of implementing the
DRR Policy and ensure current commitments are met by
2009
integrate DRR effectively within DFID’s development and
humanitarian programmes, as well as provide training to
DFID staff
work with other DFID teams which form central
components of the DRR Policy to ensure DRR remains a
key part of their own strategies
monitor performance of key DRR partners, assess impact
of programmes and advise DFID on how they could be
strengthened and improved if appropriate
advise DFID country offices on how DRR can be most
effectively implemented drawing on examples of best
practice in prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response
and recovery
Practical experience of For example, knowledge/understanding of:
running humanitarian
operations setting up and running humanitarian operations in the field
leading staff to achieve results in difficult conditions,
including insecure environments
practical problems encountered in the field including
deliberate interference by controlling authorities
Field based co-ordination arrangements.
Supporting DFID country offices in recovery and response
phase
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Humanitarian Technical Competencies Updated August 2011
Enabling Advisers to:
have better understanding of the work of concerned
authorities, humanitarian and development agencies in the
field
play a constructive and supportive role with agencies in
dangerous, isolated or unhealthy environments. Know when
to advocate for improvements – for example increased or
safer air transport
be an effective support to agencies working with local
authorities
understand how co-ordination works on the ground, what
are the opportunities and pitfalls.
SHARED TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES (REQUIRED)
There are four areas of knowledge and skills are common to all advisory groups. These are
intended to add value to DFID’s professional advisory skill base and the ability of advisers to
meet business needs.
Knowledge and The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and
understanding of international architecture for aid and development the
international aid UN, European Union, G20, International Finance
Institutions, regional institutions and NGOs
Aid instruments and how they are deployed – project
financing, sector-wide approaches, budget support,
technical assistance, results based aid, and global funds
The changing aid landscape and the role of new players –
e.g. emerging economies, BRICS, private foundations,
business and think tanks
The UK international policy framework and its implications
for international development – e.g. trade, security, fragility
and climate change
Collating, analysing Able to access, critically appraise and use evidence, demonstrating
and presenting skills in the following areas:
evidence/research
using statistical and Understand a range of qualitative and quantitative research
wider analytical skills methodologies including the application of basic statistical
methods
Critically appraise* and assess the quality of published
research and other potential sources of evidence
Interpretation, use and presentation of data and evidence in
defining policy and practice
Comprehension of key concepts from social and cultural
analysis and basic understanding of the use and application
of political economy analysis
*Critical appraisal is the process of carefully and systematically
examining research to judge its trustworthiness and its value and
relevance in a particular context
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Humanitarian Technical Competencies Updated August 2011
Economic concepts, Familiarity with key economic concepts
appraisal and value Good level of general numeracy
for money Understanding economic approaches to project appraisal
and evaluation, including different ways
of measuring efficiency, equity and impact
High quality professional input to programme design and
evaluation in line with assessing value for money and
results
Evaluation and Competent (level II or above in DFID’s evaluation
results competencies) in applying best practice in evaluation
design, using a range of rigorous methods, and ensuring
high standards of independence and quality
Ability to design, commission and manage evaluations
including rigorous impact evaluations, with appropriate
technical support, in line with DFID standards
Familiarity with the core concepts underpinning DFID's
approach to results
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