JOB ADVERT: Humanitarian Affairs Officer (HAO), OCHA BUEA

Job Description

Agency: UNOCHA

Title: Humanitarian Affairs Officer (HAO), OCHA BUEA

Job ID: 20031

Practice Area - Job Family: Crisis Prevention and Recovery - HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS

Vacancy End Date: 03/01/2019 (Midnight New York, USA)

Duty Station: Buea, Cameroon

Education & Work Experience: F-2-Year College Degree - 7 year(s) experience, I-Master's Level Degree - 5 year(s) experience

Languages Required: English, French

Grade: NOB

Vacancy Type: FTA Local

Posting Type: External

Bureau: Africa

Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension

Background

Given the current crisis in the South-West and North-West regions of Cameroon, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is scaling up its presence to support the mobilization and coordination of an effective and principled humanitarian response.

Under the leadership of the United Nations Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator for Cameroon, OCHA maintains an office in Yaoundé and field offices in the Far North (Kousseri and Maroua) and in the South-West (Buea). The primary objectives of OCHA in the South-West and North-West regions include the following:

1. Advocate for access to humanitarian assistance for affected communities through the collection, analysis and relevant dissemination of information,
2. Support the development of humanitarian needs overview and humanitarian response plans for 2019;
3. Coordination of the implementation of the humanitarian response plan in the regions, through   liaison with NGOs, UN agencies  and local authorities/communities as appropriate;
4. Promote a protective environment that respects the human rights of all, including internally displaced populations, returnees and ethnic minorities.
5. Organize, facilitate and report on various coordination meetings, contribute to organization of dedicated event in the region.

The HAO is expected to have comprehensive knowledge of the South-West and North-West regions of Cameroon, UNOCHA operations, humanitarian partners, operations of the government and NGOs. In-depth knowledge of humanitarian principles and awareness of protection of civilian policies are required. The HAO will provide regional knowledge and local networking essential to the credibility and authority of the statements and documents provided by OCHA and the Humanitarian Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide 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 participate in the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) and HRP Mid-Year Review and End-year Review processes, and any other strategic planning and field analysis initiatives that involve field input and analysis.
• Gather and verify information on issues affecting the humanitarian situation, emphasizing opportunities for response.
• Supports regional analysis

2. Assists in information management 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;
• Updating and roll out of OCHA information management tools;

3. Support 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

4. Provide proper monitoring and reporting focusing on achievement of the following:

• 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 district level partners provide analysis on response gaps and advocacy issues

5. Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the office and support Country Office efforts focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of sources of information related to coordination.
• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice

Competencies:

Level 1.2: Preparing information for advocacy

• Identifies and communicates relevant information to relevant audiences and advocate OCHA’s priorities

Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 1.2: Maintaining a network of relevant stakeholders

• Maintains an established network of contacts insuring adequate information sharing and serves as catalyzer for building partnerships
• Maintains a functioning network of civil society partners, to promote a better understanding of OCHA’s priorities and to support advocacy efforts

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 1.2: Fundamental knowledge of own discipline

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of humanitarian affairs;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Client Orientation

Level 1.2: Establishing effective client relationships

• Explore potential solutions to internal and external partners’ needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet partners’ needs;
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external partners.

Core Competencies

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity  
• Demonstrate OCHA 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
• Informed and transparent decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters degree or equivalent in political science, sociology, law, international relations, journalism and communication, or other related fields.
• A first level University degree with a minimum of 7 years’ of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience / Skills:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in humanitarian and inter-agency contexts, dealing with relief issues.
• In-depth experience knowledge of humanitarian principles and awareness of protection of civilian policies.
• Experience in collecting, analyzing, evaluating and synthesizing information.
• Good computer skills with generic tools (in (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• Experience working in South-West and North-West regions

Language requirements:

• Fluency in both oral and written English; knowledge of French
• Knowledge of local languages is an asset: Bakweri; Pidjin; Bakossi ; Balondo ; Bafo ; Oroko ; Bayangui; etc.

HOW TO APPLY?

All interested candidates are invited to apply online through the following link: https://jobs.partneragencies.net/erecruitjobs.html?JobOpeningId=20031&hrs_jo_pst_seq=1&hrs_site_id=2