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:
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.
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.
- 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
Education:
- Bachelor degree or equivalent in field related to humanitarian sectors (social science, international relations, Health, protection, wash, nutrition, food security) or other related fields.
- A relevant first level university degree with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- 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).
- Proficiency in both oral and written English; knowledge of French
- Knowledge of local languages: Bakweri, Pidjin, Bakossi ; Balondo ; Bafo ; Oroko ; Bayangui, .. is an asset. .
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension