Resource Mobilization and Communication Specialist

Location : Yaounde, CAMEROON

Application Deadline : 02-Apr-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Type of Contract : TA International

Post Level : P-3

Languages Required : English   French  

Duration of Initial Contract : 11 MONTHS

Background

The Far North of Cameroon, which is bordered by Nigeria in the west, Chad in the east, and Cameroon North Region in the south, has a population of 3,993,007 occupying a territory of 34,263 km², i.e., 18% of the overall population (22,179,707 inhabitants) of the country is living on 7% of its territory (continental land), making the Far North the second most populated region, after the Centre. It has a Sudano-Sahelian climate (on the northern part) and Sudano-Sahelian dry tropical climate (from the centre to the south), which is characterized by recurring dry spells, with a rainy season normally occurring between July and September. The region and its inhabitants are particularly vulnerable to climate change and changes in weather patterns. Recurring natural disasters such as droughts and floods together with volatility of markets that are resulting, constantly push many households and communities of the Far North into chronic vulnerability.

This critical situation has been exacerbated by Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, which has escalated in an exceptionally accelerated pattern, and within two years became a major threat to peace and security in the sub-region. Its impacts have been dramatic especially in the Far North. The economy in the Far North region of Cameroon is practically paralyzed due to the closure of its border with Nigeria. Business activities have been affected around the border area that hitherto relied on cross-border trade. Moreover, with the closure of the border, Cameroon’s ability to collect customs revenue at border entry points has been reduced. Boko Haram has also been stealing cattle, burning villages and burning farm lands in rural communities in Cameroon. The situation has led to a destabilization of commodity prices prompting the Government to send cereals, food and milk to local markets in order to help stabilize the prices of these commodities.

In addition, the Far North is characterized by a population of which young people make a very large percentage. Unfortunately, the majority of this segment is often severely underserved in terms of access to knowledge, guidance, and development of skills that are crucial to growth on all fronts: social, educational, and economic. Unemployment or under-employment levels are very high among the youth, resulting in the all-too-common sight of young people lurking around street corners with a lot of free time on their hands that often gets consumed in unproductive or even harmful pursuits. The outcome is a general state of hopelessness, stagnation, and apathy, leading to frustration and lack of initiative or any active involvement in the improvement of self or the community in general. In some cases, the results have been even more extreme, manifested in acts of violence or even recruitment by criminal or terrorist groups such as Boko Haram.

Recently Boko Haram attacks intensified along the borders and massacres within Nigeria borders have further increased leading to a heavy inflow of refugees from Nigeria (56, 400), IDPs (81,700) and IDP/returnees (36,000) caused by the deteriorating security situation is also putting more pressure on host communities of the Far North region, who are already disproportionately affected by years of poor socio-economic development and political marginalization. Overall, there are several negative impacts on key sectors of the local economy, the environment, food security, nutrition and social basic services creating socio-economic tensions, which are undermining social cohesion and security.

In support of the ongoing humanitarian efforts, UNDP, with Japan cooperation support and in partnership with UNESCO and FAO, launched in 2015 a project on early recovery and to strengthen communities’ resilience in the East and in the Far North. Out of this, concrete achievements have been made on local economy revitalization, social cohesion, livelihoods and environment protection. More than 200 households benefited from income generating activities and 5 markets has been build or modernized to ensure to the IDPs, refugees and local populations better trade environment and social interaction. UNDP intends to pursue its interventions by extending early recovery efforts to youth employment and to radicalization preventing.

UNDP Cameroon is seeking an Advocacy and visibility Specialist for partnership and resource mobilization based in Yaoundé for integrated Ealy Recovery (ER) and resilience Programme development including livelihoods and economic recovery, establishment of Rule of Law, community security, social cohesion, etc.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Resident Representative, the Advocacy and Visibility Specialist for Partnerships and Resource Mobilization of the Project “Preventing Radicalization and Strengthening Early Recovery efforts of Women and Youth in Response to the Deteriorating Human Security Situation in the Far North of Cameroon 2016” will perform the responsibilities as follow:

Support UNDP “Preventing Radicalization and Strengthening Early Recovery efforts of Women and Youth in Response to the Deteriorating Human Security Situation in the Far North of Cameroon 2016” project on resource mobilization  

• Propose strategies, action plan and mechanisms to strengthen UNDP, “Preventing Radicalization and Strengthening Early Recovery efforts of Women and Youth in Response to the Deteriorating Human Security Situation in the Far North of Cameroon 2016” resource mobilization;
• Strengthen relationship between the Japan Embassy/Government, other, donors and the UNDP country office and explore new areas of cooperation;
• Builds relationships with new donors and partners
• Undertakes ad-hoc donor studies (donor mapping, policies, sectoral and geographic preferences, economic and political background, development assistance strategies etc.), research and other activities to identify funding opportunities on ER and resilience areas;
• Serve as an interface between the above mentioned project and the technical staff of the Japan embassy and the JICA;
• Support the UNDP corporate and donors reporting requirements including narrative and financial reporting;
• Prepare ER, resilience, social cohesion and De-radicalization funding proposals as required  and  necessary for Japan Embassy or potential donors and partners;

Produce advocacy and communication tools to strengthen partnerships and resource mobilization

• Advise on communications systems supporting the mobilization and interests of partners;
• Support the communication tools for the visibility of the ER project towards government and people of Japan.
• Design communication tools in various language and in Japanese as well;
• Support the systematic sharing of results, testimony and other documents related to UNDP ER activities and results for Japanese audiences;
• Support ER in preparing success stories and ensure their dissemination to appropriate partners;
• Ensure the visibility of the Japan in the UNDP communication tools ;
• Develop/maintain a UNDP ER-related webpage/social media site (in both French and English) including creation of new web-based streaming content ;  
• Collect, document and disseminate ER programming experience and best practices for UNDP, Japan and other partners;
• Initiate, produce, manage and distribute multimedia products supporting key partnerships;
• Develop graphic supports and tools for reporting (tables, harmonization of statistics, etc.).

Support the UNDP ER corporate and donors reporting requirements including narrative and financial reporting:

• Planning and elaboration of a reporting strategy based on donors’ agreements, corporate requirements for reporting schedules for the ER and Resilience project.;
• Finalization of corporate and donors narrative reports including progress, annual and ad-hoc ones focusing on highlighting progress of targets against agreed upon indicators; analyzing impact, reflecting on lessons learned and operational challenges;
• Review financial reports as per donors agreements in close collaboration with Financial Management Associate;
• Facilitates knowledge building and knowledge sharing on ER as required by the organization, focusing on the following results:
• Identification and formulation of lessons learned and recommendations to be integrated into broader CO knowledge management efforts;
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Interpersonal and communication skills:

• Strong communication skills and proven ability to collaborate with different actors (Donors, UNCT, Government, civil society, etc.);
• Flexibility, discretion, and tact;
• Experience in working in multi-cultural team.

Professional skills:

• Good analysis and judgment;
• Teamwork, proven management and results-orientation;
• Proactive in problem-solving and recommendation for conflict prevention and resolution;
• Strong ability in managing confidential and politically sensitive issues, in a responsible way.

Technical aptitude:

• Strong management and programme development skills in the field of ER, including rule of law, community security, livelihoods recovery, reintegration and economic recovery, crisis governance and social cohesion;
• Strong understanding and experience with ER coordination in complex emergencies and cooperation with humanitarian partners;
• Management and Leadership;
• Capable of bringing together various actors from both humanitarian and development practice areas;
• Focuses on impact and result for the client;
• Shows conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
• Capable of mainstreaming gender and human rights;

Summary of Critical Competencies for Immediate Response situations:

• Possess a comprehensive set of competencies enabling immediately taking on the challenging role of leading resource mobilization efforts in the designated area of responsibility – strategic, integrity, results orientation, teamwork, good inter-personal skills, well developed communication skills, sound judgment, analytical skills, flexibility, proactive engagement, innovation, risk management, gender and culturally sensitivity, ability to work under pressure and demonstrates high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree in Social sciences, law, international development, or related areas with a focus on international relations or relevant field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level; in humanitarian or/ and Early Recovery/Development focused on donor relations management, reporting and fundraising;
• Good command in reporting and communication tools.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken French or English.
• Fluency in Japanese would be an asset.

TO APPLY

All interested candidates are invited to apply online through the following link:

 http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=65128