Hardship LevelD
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Residential location (if applicable)
Dakar, Senegal
GradePR2
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-02-01
Job Posting End DateFebruary 14, 2024
Standard Job Description
Associate Inter-Agency Coordination Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Inter-Agency Coordination Officer is usually located in Country Operations, Multi-Country Offices, Regional Bureaux, and Regional Refugee Coordinator's Office or in the Partnership and Coordination Service (PCS) in Headquarters. S/he plays a crucial support role in ensuring UNHCR's approach to partnership and inter-agency processes are coherent. The main aim is to assist senior management, as well as partner agencies, to ensure that UNHCR can fulfil its role to support the Government to lead the refugee response, coordinate other actors - including development actors at the early stages of a refugee response - and support the adherence to UNHCR inter agency commitments in IDP situations. This should be done in line with UNHCRs Mandate, the Global Compact for Refugees, the 2019 IDP policy, and agreed inter-agency commitments.
The Associate Inter-Agency Coordination Officer ensures that support is provided for strategic planning, assessment, monitoring and analysis, of any joint assessments or interagency plans at the field level. The incumbent will have direct contact with other staff members in the inter-agency structure from UN agencies, international and non-governmental organizations, and the government. The post requires the ability to prioritize tasks and to organise work independently based on direction from the supervisor. The incumbent will put particular emphasis on multi-sectorial information, coverage of information sources (UN and non-UN) and contributions to programs and projects, and interagency processes and products. The incumbent will be tasked with setting up and supporting different inter agency meetings, ensuring UNHCR's coordination role where applicable and UNHCR input where necessary. S/he will also be tasked with ensuring note taking and information sharing across a number of actors. The incumbent may also be tasked with the collection, presentation and dissemination of agreed inter agency data and information, including that coming from various stakeholders outside of UNHCR.
S/he will also support the Inter-Agency Coordinator in maintaining a constant dialogue with donors on the overall funding/resource status of the humanitarian programs in close collaboration with all partner agencies (UN and NGOs). A key tool in this regard will be the facilitation and support of periodic Inter-Agency meetings, sector or cluster specific meetings, as well as to support the broadening of relevant inter-agency information through meeting reports, situation updates and newsletters.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Provide support to inter agency processes, including for coordination in refugee settings and cluster coordination in IDP settings
- Include partners in any UNHCR led interagency response, respecting their respective mandates and programme priorities.
- Provide appropriate support for operational planning and forward looking coordination of the inter-agency humanitarian and development response.
- Support the planning of adequate contingency and preparedness for new emergencies / scenarios is in place.
- Close follow up on the strategic, operational, and day to day basic assistance sector/ cluster issues.
- Coordinate the basic assistance Sector by chairing regular working groups meetings, ensuring all agencies in the sector are adequately represented, liaise closely with a wide range of donors and governmental institutions, etc.
- Provide close guidance and support to basic assistance working groups at field level.
- Provide analysis on key humanitarian / development issues and trends in close collaboration with the information management team.
- Conduct regular programmatic and funding gaps analysis.
- Support the development of harmonized assessment, monitoring and evaluation activities in line with the agreed inter agency response
- Draft correspondence, documents and reports, guidance notes, background information for meetings and workshops.
- Conduct regular field visits to support and build the capacity of field working groups as well as ensuring field perspectives underpin the sector strategy.
- Develop a harmonized referral system for the sector in conjunction with the information management team.
- Liaise with external partners and local organizations on behalf of different sectors, the Interagency Coordination Unit, and UNHCR.
- Lead, facilitate, and organize dedicated Sector Working Group meetings and technical task forces.
- Prioritize tasks and organize work independently.
- Engage with all sectors and identify IA Coordination activities.
- Make recommendations on IA Coordination issues.
- Work closely with government counterparts on issues related to the basic assistance.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Social Sciences;
Development Studies;
Economics;
International Relations;
Political Affairs;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in humanitarian or development programme implementation, including experience in facilitating inter-agency coordination at sector or macro-level. Good knowledge of the UN system, NGOs and related planning and coordination practises. Knowledge of MS Office applications. Knowledge of refugee protection principles and framework. Presentation delivery and/or public speaking experience.
Desirable
Demonstrated expertise in emergency response and preparedness planning and monitoring, including a good understanding of related standards and indicators. Demonstrated expertise in either assessments, monitoring and evaluation, research for programmes, and policy / context analysis. Experience in coordinating and implementing cash based interventions, including harmonization of practices and operating procedures. Experience in leading and facilitating meetings, delivering presentations, and conducting trainings for technical and non-technical audience. Work experience in the interagency response.
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination
ER-Inter-Agency Resource Mobilisation
ER-Inter-Agency External Relations
CO-Public Speaking
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
CB-Cash-based Programming/Managing/Planning
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile The ideal candidate should also have relevant working experience with UNHCR in the areas of Reporting, External Relations and Inter-agency as well as in supporting UNHCR in its external and internal engagements to strengthen the Organization’s strategic positioning and facilitate effective communication and advocacy on inter-agency issues. The incumbent must have diplomatic skills and the ability to courageously take quick decisions. In that sense, understanding of Inter-agency principles is essential.
Previous experience with UNHCR in one the Central Sahel Countries in the areas of Reporting, External Relations and Inter-agency coordination as well as excellent interpersonal skills for interaction with government authorities, UN sister agencies, and NGOs are also required. The candidate should have excellent drafting skills as he is expected to draft several internal and external documents for UNHCR in Burkina Faso. He should be fluent in both French and English (oral and written).
The candidate is expected to contribute to consultative processes for activities related to the governance of specific multilateral inter-agency actors most relevant to the AoR; meetings with financial and development partners; good coordination practices. Apart from excellent functional competencies, the incumbent would also be expected to possess proven leadership skills and demonstrated experience in working with a Regional Bureau. The candidate must have strong skills in promoting dialogue and consultations to strengthen partnerships and having frequent contact with UN Agencies colleagues. S/he must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills as s/he will work closely with external stakeholders, such as UNHCR-funded partners, operational partners, decentralized and deconcentrated offices of Host Government Ministries on issues related to partnerships and in the context of capacity building.
The incumbent is expected to be attentive to all aspects of partnerships, in accordance with the inter-agency Partnership Principles, Code of Conduct, UN and UNHCR communication and sharing information rules, policies and regulations, and other relevant documents. He/she must have strong capacities in terms of coordination, building and maintaining good relationship skills, etc.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): French
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Burkina Faso is grappling with a complex blend of crises, leading to rapid population displacement from rural areas to secondary towns—the primary refuge for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in search of safety. Further, the adverse socio-economic impacts of inflation and the Ukrainian crisis continue to strain the nation's economy. Forced displacements, both primary and secondary, as well as commuting, pose additional threats to IDPs, over 80% of whom are women and children heavily reliant on largely insufficient humanitarian assistance. In 2023, forced displacement within and across borders has escalated markedly due to the activities of non-state armed groups (NSAGs), affecting over 2 million IDPs and more than 38,000 refugees and asylum seekers residing in out-of-camp settings. This is in addition to over 90,000 Burkinabè refugees in neighbouring countries and approximately 2.2 million individuals at risk of statelessness. As per the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) 2023, 4.7 million people require humanitarian assistance. The Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) 2023 aims to address the acute and urgent needs of 3.1 million people. Burkina Faso also serves as a transit country for many individuals from West and Central Africa, who frequently embark on journeys to Europe via Libya. UNHCR’s engagement in the Humanitarian-Peace-Development Nexus and the search for durable solutions with development actors is a priority for the operation, and so is the inclusion of refugees in national protection systems and development plans.
Under the direct supervision of the Representative, the Associate Inter-Agency Coordination Officer will provide strategic and operational guidance and advice to UNHCR staff and implementing inter-agency activities in line with the Burkina Faso’s MYMP protection and solutions strategies (2022-2025) within available resources and agreed inter-agency commitments. S/he will assist senior management, as well as partner agencies, to ensure that UNHCR can fulfil its role to support the Government to lead the refugee response, coordinate other actors - including development actors at the early stages of a refugee response - and support the adherence to UNHCR inter agency commitments in IDP situations.
The incumbent is expected to work and keep regular/daily contacts with the Representative and staff at in the field as well as Operations’ colleagues at the Regional Bureau for WCA region, to consult, discuss operational issues, and to seek common grounds for solutions on activities and programmes of importance to UNHCR in Burkina Faso and with persons on matters of great importance to UNHCR’s programmes. These contacts may include also heads of national/ international organizations, embassies, UN agencies, and high officials/ ministers in the national government.
Living and Working Conditions:
Burkina Faso has very basic infrastructures, including in the health sector. In Ouagadougou, there are more than 20 health clinics, but only 7 recommended by the UN System. Epidemics and other disease outbreaks are common in the operational area.
Ouagadougou is a non-family duty station, and you are eligible for R&R for every eight weeks. Banking services available include more than five international banks among which two are recommended by the UN System (United Bank of Africa and Ecobank).
Hot and dry desert environment with high daylight temperature fluctuations.
In the field, due to security-borne restrictions, the office has built four guest houses for staff on short missions. Due to its limited capacity, staff are not advised to permanently reside.
Housing in Ouagadougou is mainly individual houses and are easily available. But most buildings are not well maintained and need repair. Electricity is very expensive, and a backup generator is recommended.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Development Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Affairs, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
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Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance