This position is open to Nigerian Nationals Only

BACKGROUND

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.

A humanitarian crisis persists in the Northeast, which is marked by an ongoing complex and protracted protection crisis. More specific to the Northeast is an ongoing insurgency by Boko Haram which seeks to destabilize governance in the area.

These ongoing conflicts compromise humanitarian space and frame the situation, which the HAO, Humanitarian Military Security Coordination Analyst must seek to navigate to facilitate the humanitarian mandate.

This is a complex and difficult role balancing the military battlespace with the humanitarian desire to remain neutral impartial and independent.

Under the direct supervision of the Head, of Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination and Access (Head of HCMCoord & Access) with overall direction from the Head of OCHA and working as an integral part of the organization’s Team, the incumbent will assist in adding capacity in supporting the mandate of OCHA.

This job opening is being advertised for the position of HAO, Humanitarian Military Security Coordination Analyst (NOA) located in the OCHA Maiduguri Office and reports to the Head of humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination and Access and UN OCHA Head.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the Head, Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination and Access, the HAO, Humanitarian Military Security Coordination Analyst will be responsible for the following duties:

• Operational Focal Point: to assist the Head HCMCoord & Access by liaising with the Nigeria Armed Forces (NAF) and other security forces on day to day. The incumbent works closely with Access officers and may be required where applicable by the Head, HCMCoord & Access to assist with access negotiation issues to facilitate humanitarian convoys.
• Mapping. Assist with contributions to the humanitarian-civil-military and security mapping and engage with the Area Security Management Team and UNDSS on security issues pertaining to UN operations.
• Development of Strategy: Assist with the assessment and analysis of the humanitarian- civil-military and security environment to contribute to formulation and implement a HCMCoord strategy and action plan with a view to analyze how they may increase or decrease humanitarian space.
• Dissemination of Guidelines: To assist the HCMCoord and Access team to ensure that any applicable humanitarian civil-military coordination guidelines, country-specific guidance, or generic guidelines are properly disseminated and understood by both the humanitarian actors and the military and/or police forces present as well as by local actors, as appropriate. Aid the team by promoting and advocating for adherence to the applicable guidelines within the entire humanitarian community and advise on potential consequences if the guidelines are compromised.
• Liaison with Humanitarian Organizations: To support the team in maintaining a contact network with other UN Agencies and INGOs who are responsible for humanitarian-civil-military relations as well as NGO focal points for humanitarian civil-military coordination in the AOR.
• Support Humanitarian Coordination: To assist the team in supporting humanitarian coordination structure in the AOR on an appropriate mechanism to interface with military representatives. Support sub-national cluster coordinators or humanitarian organizations in requesting military support for humanitarian activities, following up to ensure the requests are appropriate and in line with applicable guidelines. As well as assist with monitoring activities by military forces to support humanitarian organizations.
• Military Liaison: Supports the team to maintain communication with the military forces in the AOR and establish mechanisms to resolve operational issues and ensure appropriate mutual exchange of information regarding ongoing relevant activities. Where relevant, and as instructed by the Head of the team to educate the military and/or police forces in the AOR on the structures and dynamics of coordination with and within the international humanitarian community and the practicalities of implementation.
• Assessment and facilitation: Provides support with inputs to briefings for Management on HCMCoord issues.
• Training: To assist the HCMCoord & Access team in identifying the training needs of both humanitarian actors and military forces in the AOR.
• Access. To assist Access colleagues working on the Humanitarian Cargo Notification System, by utilizing networks and contacts in the humanitarian community to facilitate clarity on movements and restrictions of humanitarian cargo.
• Perform other duties as may be requested by the Head of HCMCoord.

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief, related human rights, and security issues.
• Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems.
• Ability to work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife and human misery); ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.
• Knowledge of the NAF and related national and international security services.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda.
• Supports and acts in accordance with a final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks.
• Allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Communications:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately.
• Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style, and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Qualifications:

Education:  

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Science, International Relations, Political Sciences, Law, or other relevant science,

OR

• a related field or a first-level university degree with relevant academic qualifications will be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in humanitarian civil Military Coordination and Security is required.
• Experience with exposure to the Nigerian Armed Forces is desirable.
• Experience working with Office suite applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) is desirable.
• Experience in social, political, and economic conditions is desirable.
• Experience facilitating meetings and reporting strong successful communicator is desirable.

Language requirements

• Fluency in oral and written English is required. Candidates will be tested on their linguistic ability.
• Knowledge of Hausa and any other local languages is desirable.

Note:

• Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
• “Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable)”

Applicant information about rosters

UNOCHA reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNOCHA at the same grade level and with similar job descriptions, experience, and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

• UNOCHA has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
• UNOCHA   is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

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