HAO, Humanitarian Military and Security Coordination Analyst at United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - UNOCHA

Job ID: 2030
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term
Contract Duration: 1 Year with Possibility for extension
Bureau: Regional Bureau for Africa
Languages Required: English (verbal and written) in both is essential and knowledge of local Nigerian languages will be very helpful
Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks
Agency: UNOCHA
Grade: NOA
Practice Area: UN Coordination

Background

• OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to:
  • Alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies
  • Advocate for the rights of people in need
  • Promote preparedness and prevention
  • Facilitate sustainable solutions.
• In December 1991, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 46/182 designed to strengthen the United Nation's response to both complex emergencies and natural disasters.  In addition, it aimed at improving the overall effectiveness of the UN's humanitarian operations in the field.
• OCHA holds the unique global mandate for the common service for Humanitarian Civil Military Coordination for I/N NGOs and UN agencies.

Operational and Organizational Settings

• A humanitarian crisis persists in the North East, which is marked by ongoing complex and protracted protection crisis. More specific to the North East 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 Humanitarian Military Security Coordination HAO 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 Humanitarian Civil Military Coordination and Access (Head HCMCoord & Access) with overall direction from the Head of OCHA and working as an integral part of the organization's Team, the incumbent will be ensuring maximum professionalism and adding capacity in supporting the mandate of OCHA.
• This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA Maiduguri). The HMSCoord will report to the Head HCMCoord&Access and UN OCHA Head of Office.
• Noting that humanitarian operations, humanitarian dialogue and coordination, happens in an insecure environment equal weighting to a security and HAO with specialist skill set in humanitarian- military coordination is necessary. 

Key Duties and Accountabilities

• The NO-A HMSCoord works under the leadership, supervision, strategic and operational direction of the Head HCMCoord&Access. Within limits of delegated authority, the HMSCoord will be responsible, in whole or in part, for the following duties;
• Operational Focal Point: Under the supervision of the Head HCMCoord&Access serve as an operational focal point and day-to day liaison to the Nigeria Armed Forces (NAF) and other security forces. The incumbent works closely with Access officers and may deal with access negotiation issues to facilitate humanitarian convoys.
• Mapping. Contribute to humanitarian-civil-military and security mapping and engage with the Area Security Management Team and UNDSS on security issues pertaining to UN operations in the area of responsibility (AOR).
• Development of Strategy: Support assessment and analysis of the humanitarian- civil-military and security environment in order to contribute to the formulation and implementation a HCMCoord strategy and action plan with a view to analyse how they may increase or decrease humanitarian space.
• Dissemination of Guidelines: In consultation with the HCMCoord and Access team 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. Promote and advocate 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: Establish and maintain a contact network with other UN Agencies and I/N NGOS 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: Support the humanitarian coordination structure in the AOR by advising on an appropriate mechanism to interface with military representatives. Support sub-national cluster coordinators or humanitarian organizations in requesting military support for humanitarian activities, ensuring the requests are appropriate and in line with applicable guidelines. Monitor activities by military forces to support humanitarian organizations.
• Military Liaison: Facilitate the establishment and maintenance of 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, advise and 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: Provide substantial inputs to advisory briefings for Management or on HCMCoord issues. Advise humanitarian agencies on policy or specific humanitarian civil-military coordination issues related to HCMCoord;
• Training: Identify UN-HCMCoord training needs of both humanitarian actors and military forces in the AOR and recommend/design a training strategy and materials to support identified requirements. Arrange such training events as required and agreed with the Head of HCMCoord..
• Access. Support with Access colleagues the Humanitarian Cargo Notification System as main interlocutor, using the networks and contacts in the humanitarian community to facilitate clarity on movements and restrictions of humanitarian cargo.
• Miscellaneous: Perform other duties as may be requested by the Head of HCMCoord and/or the Head of Office as applicable.
• With regard to security file assist senior leadership in the following: 
  • Updating and communicating information regarding the security situation in the country.
  • Maintaining the Security Plan, including updating staff lists and warden lists.
  • Preparing Security Risk Management Measures and RSMs and monitoring compliance.
  • Assists in reporting security incidents affecting UN personnel, offices and assets.
  • Organizes and delivers training courses on security awareness and preparedness, with particular focus on national staff;.
  • Liaises and coordinates, as appropriate, with the host government security organizations and/or personnel, including national and local provincial authorities, military, and police officers, as well as non-governmental organizations and other non-State actors in the area of operation.
  • Maintains regular contacts with DSS and Security Focal Points of UN agencies

Qualifications
Education:

• A Master's Degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences, Law or related field would be desirable.
• A first-level University Degree in combination with four additional years of relevant and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced University Degree or senior military leadership diploma or above.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Previous experience in humanitarian civil-military coordination and security related experience is desirable, or previous experience in support relevant experience in major humanitarian operations
• Former exposure to Nigerian Armed Forces
• Excellent command of Office suite applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
• Familiarity and good knowledge of social, political and economic conditions in the region
• Proven skills in facilitating meetings and reporting, strong successful communicator

Operational Skills:

• Knowledge of regional, international and local military forces and completion of the UN-HCMCoord Course and UN-HCMCoord Officers' Course is highly desirable but not a requirement.
• Previous work experience in, and good knowledge, of Nigeria and civil and military interlocutors is an advantage
• Knowledge of HF and VHF radio operation;
• Experience in diplomatic security, protection and intelligence is considered an asset;
• Knowledge of host country safety codes;
• Possession of a valid Nigerian driver’s license
• Ability to travel
• Physically fit

Language Requirements:

• High fluency in English (verbal and written) in both is essential and knowledge of local Nigerian languages will be very helpful.

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.

Communication:

• 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.

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 decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning & 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.

Creativity:

• Ability to actively seek to improve services offer new and different options to solve problems/meet client needs, and promote and persuade others to consider new ideas.