UNOCHA Vacancy for Humanitarian Field Coordinator

Background
Given the current crisis in Nigeria, OCHA has to scale up its support to the Humanitarian Coordinator in mobilization and coordination of an effective and principled humanitarian response. OCHA is particularly concerned about vulnerable communities and those at risk due to current conflict. Under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, OCHA maintains an office in Abuja and a field presence in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in North East; the primary objectives of OCHA Nigeria include the following:

1. Advocate for access to basic services, especially water, sanitation, education and health for vulnerable communities, including collection, analysis and dissemination of information and negotiation of access.
2. Coordinate the implementation of humanitarian response in Nigeria with UN agencies and programmes, national and international NGOs and local authorities/communities as appropriate with focus on strengthening the Cluster Approach.
3. Enhance a protective environment that respects the human rights of all, including IDPs, returnees and minority clan.

The HAO is expected to have comprehensive knowledge of North East of Nigeria, UNOCHA operations, humanitarian partners, operations of the government and NGOs. As such the HAO provides the elements of institutional memory and local networking essential to the credibility and authority of the statements and documents provided by OCHA and the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator. They work with little supervision in the field, and are expected to prepare concise reports and analysis and are an integral part of the OCHA Team in Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of key functions:

Information Collection in support of Humanitarian Analysis and Response,
Information Sharing
Development of coordination and cooperation mechanisms among stakeholders
Monitoring and Reporting
Ensure accurate Information Collection in support of Humanitarian Analysis and Response, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
Review incoming field reports, prepare summaries of field activities and flag important issues to senior management
Actively contribute to the Inter-Sector Coordination Working Group and ensure its functionality. Actively collaborate with the various Sectors to ensure an effective, efficient and principled humanitarian response.
Actively contribute to the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) and Humanitarian Needs Overview process, and HRP/HNO Mid-Year Review and End-year Review processes.
Gather and verify information on issues affecting the humanitarian situation, emphasizing opportunities for response.
Supports field analysis and interface with the AIM working group to extract key action points that need follow up from assessments undertaken and the humanitarian Dashboard.
Ensure facilitation of information sharing among partners focusing on achievement of the following:
Pro-actively share information with OCHA and relevant stakeholders on pertinent issues.
Identify key pieces of information that will assist with organizational decision-making with a particular focus on improving humanitarian response.
Ensure the development of coordination and cooperation mechanisms among stakeholders focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Support existing coordination mechanisms and assist in the establishment of new field coordination wherever required.
Establish relationships with key stakeholders, including non-traditional humanitarian actors, in areas of operation to ensure humanitarian information flow from OCHA to partners and vice versa and ensure their participation in operations
Ensure proper monitoring and reporting focusing on achievement of the following:

Field visits to the Local Government Areas (LGAs) and support the collection of field information to monitor and improve ongoing response, coordination activities and information products.
Prepare succinct reports on the key humanitarian issues in the districts and workings with state level partners provide analysis on response gaps and advocacy issues
Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall coordination of humanitarian and emergency assistance. The root causes of the humanitarian/emergency situations are appreciated, ensuring that strong and effective responses are mounted. This facilitates operational agencies in succeeding in their core objectives, building of strong partnerships with relevant parties and the achievement of OCHA’s objectives.

Competencies

Preparing information for advocacy
Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating OCHA’s priorities
Building Strategic Partnerships
Maintaining a network of contacts
Maintains an established network of contacts, including Sector colleagues, for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues
Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders
Resource Mobilization
Providing inputs to resource mobilization strategy
Collects, researches and analyzes information on resource mobilization and utilization, drafts reports and documents and maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors and donor funded projects
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Basic research and analysis
Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
Fundamental knowledge of own discipline
Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments
Global Leadership and Advocacy for OCHA’s Goals

Preparing information for global advocacy
Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for OCHA’s goals for a variety of audiences
Maintains a functioning network of contacts in the media and civil society, to promote a better understanding of OCHA’s priorities and to support advocacy efforts

Client Orientation
Establishing effective client relationships
Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion
Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients
Core Competencies
Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity
Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
Self-development, initiative-taking
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
Creating synergies through self-control
Managing conflict
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing are the responsibility of each staff member.
Informed and transparent decision making

Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Master’s Degree or equivalent in political science, sociology, law, international relations or other related fields with up to 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level.
Experience:
Up to 2 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in complex emergency and inter-agency contexts particularly the North East of Nigeria, dealing with relief and transitional issues.
Familiarity with UN policies, rules and procedures, particularly in relation to humanitarian response and coordination, and knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance, especially the humanitarian reform agenda.
Ability to research, analyze, evaluate and synthesize information.
Ability to express clearly and concisely, ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and experience in handling of web based management systems.
Language requirements:
Professional fluency in oral and written English, Hausa and Kanori is required. Candidates will be tested on their linguistic ability.

Disclaimer
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Application Deadline:21/05/2018 (Midnight New York, USA)