OPPORTUNITY: HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER -SB4

Job Description
Agency: UNOCHA
Title: HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER, SB4, OCHA BUEA (open exclusively for Cameroonians)
Job ID: 18268
Practice Area - Job Family: Management - HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
Vacancy End Date: 11/09/2018(Midnight New York, USA)
Duty Station: Buea, Cameroon
Education & Work Experience: G-Bachelor's Level Degree - 2 year(s) experience
Languages Required: English, French
Grade: SB4
Vacancy Type: Service Contract (SC)
Posting Type: External
Bureau: Africa
Contract Duration: 6 months
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 a field presence in the  Far North (Kousseri and Maroua) and is opening a sub-office in Buea; the primary objectives of OCHA Cameroon include the following:

1. Advocate for access to basic social services, for vulnerable communities through the collection, analysis and relevant dissemination of information,
2. Support the Head of office Buea in coordinating the implementation of the humanitarian response plan in the region, liaise with UN agencies and programmes, national and international NGOs and local authorities/communities as appropriate;
3. Organize, facilitate and report on various coordination meetings, contribute to organization of dedicated event in the region.
4. Promote  a protective environment that respects the human rights of all, including internally displaced populations, returnees and ethnic minorities.

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. Identification of Humanitarian Needs
Support the identification of humanitarian needs, strengthening of a common situational analysis and improving the humanitarian response; through:

• Political, security, social and economic developments analysis and their impacts on humanitarian and protection needs, as well as the operating environment,
• Production of fact-based field missions report including key recommendations;
• Meetings with relevant stakeholders and partners;
• Data collection from UN and NGO partners;
• Preparation and implementation of inter-agency field assessments and fact-finding missions.

2. Information Collection and Reporting in support of response

• Actively pursue the collection of field information to monitor and improve ongoing response, the coordination activities and information products.
• Ensure timely and qualitative reporting to the Head of Sub-Office including regular weekly field reports and daily updates.
• Gather and verify information on issues affecting the humanitarian situation, emphasizing opportunities for response
• Establish relationships with key stakeholders in areas of operation to ensure humanitarian information flow from OCHA to partners and vice versa and ensure their participation in operations.
• Provide support in focus group discussions during assessments
• Support sectors and OCHA Country Office in monitoring  CERF-funded projects

3) Develop and maintain coordination mechanisms among stakeholders

• Establish client-oriented relationships with key stakeholders to enhance adherence and engagement in coherent approach in implementing the humanitarian response plan
• Support existing coordination mechanisms and assist in the establishment of new field coordination fora wherever required.

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

Resource Mobilization:
Level 1.2: Providing inputs to resource mobilization strategy

• Gathers ground information pertaining to donors’ orientation and contribute to the regular update of the national funding monitoring matrix.

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:

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in political science, sociology, law, international relations or other related fields.
• A relevant first level university degree with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in complex emergency and inter-agency contexts, dealing with relief and transitional issues.
• In-depth knowledge of humanitarian principles and awareness of protection of civilian policies.
• Awareness of UN institutional mandates, policies, rules and procedures, particularly in relation to humanitarian response and coordination
• Ability to collect, analyze, evaluate and synthesize information.
• Ability to communicate ideas and concepts  clearly and concisely in both written and oral form.
• Good computer skills with generic tools (in (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, etc).

Language requirements:

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

Disclaimer

• THIS VACANCY IS ONLY RESERVED FOR CAMEROUNIAN CANDIDATS
• FEMALE CANDIDATE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED

NB: Please note that OCHA operates in a non-smoking work environment.
HOW TO APPLY?
All interested candidates are invited to apply online through the following link: https://jobs.partneragencies.net/erecruitjobs.html?JobOpeningId=18268&hrs_jo_pst_seq=1&hrs_site_id=2