OCHA-Civil Military Coordination Officer-P3 at Canadem

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Background

• The humanitarian crisis in Nigeria's North-East is one of the most severe in the world today, with 8.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and 6.9 million targeted for humanitarian assistance. The crisis remains one of the most severe in the world today and shows no sign of abating despite military advances against Boko Haram, adding to the long history of marginalization and chronic underdevelopment as well as high rates of poverty and unemployment.
• The prolonged humanitarian crisis has had a devastating impact on food security and nutrition Nigeria's northeast, with 5.2 million people currently in need of food assistance including 50,000 people in faminelike conditions. In February 2017, the UN's Secretary-General issued an urgent call to action to the international community. The inclusion of North-East Nigeria in the Secretary-General's global call to action - alongside some of the largest humanitarian crises in the world - was a clear sign of the severity of the situation.
• The displacement situation remains complex, with new displacements occurring simultaneously with returns of IDPs and refugees. Some 1.7 million people are internally displaced and over 1.2 people have returned 'spontaneously' to areas of habitual residence since August 2015, mainly in Adamawa State. Compounding existing humanitarian concerns are the movements of returnees from Cameroon into areas of high insecurity, and where the capacity of the humanitarian community to respond is stretched. Some 19,000 Nigerians have returned from Cameroon in 2017 - including 4,400 forced returns - and the Government of Cameroon has indicated the possible return of an additional 80,000 Nigerians in the coming months.
• Civilians continue to bear the brunt of a conflict that has led to widespread forced displacement, violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Gender-based violence has emerged as one of the major manifestations of the conflict between Boko Haram and the government of Nigeria, creating increased vulnerabilities for women and girls from exploitation and abduction to sexual slavery, rape, and torture. As UNICEF has noted, most suicide bombers are women or children, with at least 83 children used as suicide bombers in 2017 - a figure four times higher than for the entire 2016.
• At least 60 deaths and 4,500 confirmed cases have been reported since a cholera outbreak was declared in August 2017. A cholera response and prevention plan has been developed to address the immediate needs of 3.7 million people that could be affected by the cholera outbreak in Borno state, requesting $10 million.
• Humanitarian access continues to be hampered by insecurity, and between 450,000 and 700,000 people in North-East Nigeria remain beyond the reach of aid workers. However, through coordinated logistics, joint infrastructure, and strengthened civil-military coordination, humanitarian teams can now reliably access some areas that were previously inaccessible. Nine humanitarian hubs are also being established across Bomo State, including three that are already operational (Gwoza, Ngala and Bama).
• OCHA facilitates a CMCOORD working group with the theatre command in Maiduguri. In February 2017, OCHA Geneva conducted a mission lo review CMCOORD coordination mechanisms and recommended the development of a CMCOORD Action Plan (2017-2018). The plan was endorsed by the HCT in September and outlines a series of trainings of military and humanitarian partners as well as the development of key policy documents - including the development of country specific civil-military guidelines - that should ,enhance the working relationship with the national armed forces. The strengthening of civil-military coordination was also highlighted in the UN Security Council's resolution 2349 following their visit to the region.
• Main partners and stakeholders in the field: OCHA works in close collaboration with over 75 humanitarian organizations and ensures constant liaison with the Government, through the newly established Inter-Ministerial Task force, NEMA and SEMAs, including by supporting the HCT, the HC and the DHC. This includes military structures at federal and state levels.
• Occasional travel will be required to the OCHA country office in Abuja and sub-offices in Yobe and Adamawa. UNHAS provides air transportation between Maiduguri, Yola and Abuja three times a week on a no-cost basis.
• Maiduguri (Borno State) is a non-family duty station, security level 5. SAT (Security Awareness Training) is a mandatory requirement for travel to Bomo state, and will be conducted by DSS in Abuja prior to deployment to d/s.

Main Responsibilities and Tasks

• Support the CMCoord Officer (P4) based In Maiduguri in developing Nigeria specific humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination Guidelines for humanitarian operations in North-East Nigeria in support of the OHCT/HCT. Ensure that the country-specific guidelines are properly disseminated and understood by both the humanitarian actors and the military forces present, as well as by local actors, as appropriate.
• Promote, and ensure adherence to the above Guidelines within the entire humanitarian community and advise on potential consequences if these principles are compromised a Support the CMCoord Officer (P4) based in Maiduguri in developing and rolling out a CMCoord training on Nigeria specific Humanitarian CMCoord Coordination Guidelines, humanitarian principles and humanitarian operations for Nigerian Security Forces, incl. CJTF and humanitarian actors at federal, regional and local government area levels. a
• Support the CMCoord Officer (P4) based in Maiduguri in maintaining and strengthening the relationship with key Nigerian Security Forces, incl. Civilian Joint Task Force in order to promote and preserve humanitarian space and respect for humanitarian principles, achieved through clear and mutually agreed upon strategic messaging coordinated by the Working Group.
• Support the monitoring, analysis and reporting on any major accomplishments and progress as well as identify and follow up any potential or actual friction points in relations between the humanitarian and military communities.
• Support, in coordination with the Borno based Security and CMCoord cells, the organisation of assessment missions in newly accessible areas in NE Nigeria.
• Maintain contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, and other actors; ensure appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UN system, including on early warning and contingency planning.
• Support and/or lead Access Working Group and link this work to the initiatives of the Operational Humanitarian Country Team, the HCT and Government led coordination mechanisms,
• Carry out farther duties incidental to the above or as assigned by the HC, DFIC or OCHA head of office.
  

Qualifications

• Fluency in English
• Excellent writing, analytical and communications skills
• Experience in humanitarian inter-agency coordination, UN-CMCoord and access issues,
• Experience in working with multiple organizations,
• Experience in conducting and coordinating inter-agency needs assessments,
• Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian assistance,
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural teams under demanding working conditions,
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and to meet tight deadlines