Consultant - CivMil/Access Officer at World Food Programme (WFP)

Requisition: 101956
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Starting Date: 1 January 2019 or sooner
End Date: 30 June 2019, with possibility for extension
Status: Consultant

Background

• WFP as the lead agency for logistics coordination maintains logistics sector support capacity based in the Logistics Division of WFP HQ in Rome. It is comprised of a diverse, multi-skilled group of humanitarian professionals and is mandated by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) to complement and co-ordinate the logistics capabilities of co-operating humanitarian agencies during humanitarian response operations.
• Based on the needs communicated by the humanitarian community, the Logistics Sector in Nigeria is facilitating access to common storage for the humanitarian community, including for prepositioning. The Sector is also supporting logistics coordination and information management to maximize the use of available resources in-country, provide support and advocacy surrounding customs clearance, the movement of humanitarian cargo and government liaison, and establish a more coordinated and cost-effective operational approach.
• Where appropriate and according to humanitarian principles, the Logistics Sector will also liaise with the national military authorities and/or commands to implement these logistics services.

Objective

• To support field-level logistics coordination in the area of civil-military engagement and humanitarian access issues.
• Additionally, to ensure that inter-agency logistics operations at field level meet the expectations of partners and donors for logistics support through enhanced coordination, information management, and facilitation of common services.

Reporting Line:

• The Civil/Military Coordination & Access Officer reports to the Logistics Sector Coordinator.

Responsibilities
Coordination:

• Maintain dialogue and coordination with military counterparts and ensure the appropriate and mutual exchange of information about ongoing humanitarian logistics activities.
• Serve as the primary focal point for all matters, including policy, related to CivMil, in close consultation with the Logistics Sector Coordinator.
• Participate in working groups, meetings and consultations with other UN agencies and humanitarian partners.
• Organize meetings on CivMil matters with Heads of Agencies or other appropriate entities as required.
• Support and mentor humanitarian logistics and operations personnel involved in the response, on CivMil related issues.
• Provide situation reports on ongoing CivMil activities, and the overall civil-military relations, in agreed formats and timeframe.
• In resolving access constraints to operations, the CivMil Officer should be able to lead a documented access exercise, according to the existing WFP policy and procedures on access, and in consultation with the Regional Bureaux and HQ for further guidance.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Operations:

• Manage daily operations of CivMil/Access Associate, including setting daily work objectives and monitoring progress.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and dialogue with humanitarian actors, UN agencies, and particularly the UN OCHA CivMil framework; liaison with security forces to facilitate the movement and storage of humanitarian cargo in support of the emergency response; to ensure effective logistics operational planning and response.
• Establish and maintain reliable coordination mechanisms at the operational and tactical level with military and security forces, regarding humanitarian logistics activities. This includes implementation of the agreed mechanisms, including - but not limited to – consolidated movement notifications of cargo and associated escort facilitation, and support to the UN Humanitarian Air Service.
• Act as a point of contact for the Logistics Sector with militaries and other security actors to ensure an integrated logistics planning process and coordinate the prioritization and movement of humanitarian convoys.
• Promulgate and advocate with security forces, on the range of humanitarian planning and operational activities, while ensuring alignment with the established international and national CMCoord standards. Ensure that Humanitarian Principles, operational priorities and response plans of the humanitarian community in Nigeria, as related to CivMil, are communicated and appropriately considered.
• Provide expert assistance on CMCoord considerations, for developing plans to assist the humanitarian community in the emergency response.

Reporting:

• Monitor, analyze and report on major accomplishments/progress.
• Identify any potential/actual challenges with regard to coordination between military and security forces and the humanitarian community.

Qualifications
Education:

• University degree or equivalent experience and training in one or more of the following disciplines: International Relations, Political/Social Science, Business Administration, Economics, or Management related to the area of humanitarian and/or CivMil/CMCoord/CIMIC-related work.

Work Experience:

• At least five years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in international humanitarian work in a logistic, security or operational management function, or military international experience. Substantial exposure to, or experience in, both sectors is a strong asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required, a second UN language is a plus.

Key Competencies:

• Good analytical and problem solving skills;
• Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement, tact, negotiating skills;
• Familiarity with and experience in the application of Civil-Military Coordination, international policies and practices;
• Ability to cope with situations which may threaten health or safety (own, and others);
• Flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description;
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan in line with operational requirements;
• Willingness to travel for extended periods of time. Willingness to work in challenging environments / field locations;
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing;
• Ability to act as an interlocutor between CivMil actors and WFP/partners;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts;
• Ability to accurately assess CMC requirements when required;
• Ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Tact, persuasiveness and ability to work harmoniously with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. 

Terms and Conditions
WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.