Humanitarian Affairs Assistant Bamenda
Onsite
Cameroon
10 months

1
assignment(s)

Open recruitment (advertised)

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General
Description of assignment title
Humanitarian Affairs Assistant Bamenda

Assignment country
Cameroon

Expected start date
01/03/2024

Sustainable Development Goal
17. Partnerships for the goals

Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity
UNOCHA

Type
Onsite

Duration
10 months
(with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments
1

Duty stations
Bamenda

Details
Mission and objectives
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a department of the United Nations Secretariat. Its mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors, to alleviate human suffering and advocate the rights of populations in need, and to promote disaster preparedness and prevention.

Context
OCHA is part of the United Nations Secretariat and is responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure an effective and coherent response to emergencies, in accordance with humanitarian principles, and in partnership with national and international actors.

In order to effectively support the coordination of the humanitarian response, OCHA Cameroon is working to strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacities, to help advocate for people in need, to reinforce humanitarian access and to be able to provide support to humanitarian partners who assist the most affected and vulnerable populations.


OCHA Cameroon maintains an office in Yaoundé and field offices in the Far North (Maroua and Kousseri), in the Southwest (Buea) and Northwest (Bamenda).
To meet the increased requirements for coordination support, the UNV will be part of the Buea sub-office.

Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of sub-office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Humanitarian Affairs Assistant will:

• Support the Buea sub-office with regular reporting, including daily, weekly and monthly reports, as well as updates and ad hoc humanitarian reports;
• Carry out regular field visits to collect information necessary to understand the impact of the humanitarian situation and the needs of the most vulnerable communities;
• Support data collection and analysis of the humanitarian situation across the Southwest region, including supporting information management, field assessments, community and research liaison;
• Support the provision of information in response to internal and external requests and queries;
• Participate in the development of presentations, information products and contact sheets;
• Write field visit reports and meeting notes ensuring that adequate and accurate records are kept;
• Provide advocacy support for organizing events, preparing on-the-ground briefings for visitors;
• Support the Cameroon office in its humanitarian coordination role, contributing to strengthening relationships with authorities and relevant stakeholders, including clusters, international and national NGOs; and participating in relevant meetings;
• Contribute to coordinating humanitarian field missions.
• Assist in maintaining meeting schedules, contact lists and relevant operational documents;
• Provide support to the Buea sub-office in the organization of meetings, workshops and other activities: support travel management processes; administrative and operational support; focal point for logistical and administrative matters;
• Contribute to the development of stakeholder maps “who does what or” (5W);

• Any other related tasks/support as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.


13. Results/expected outputs:

• As an active OCHA team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to OCHA and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
o Timely production of regular reports, ad hoc reports, and responses to requests for information;
o Increased presence in the field, including through assessment support, preparation for field visits and community liaison;
o Meeting minutes and field visit notes are prepared, shared and stored in a timely manner;
o Meeting calendars, contact lists, presentations and other information products are up to date;
o The work of the sub-office team is effectively supported;

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed


Eligibility criteria
Age
27 - 80

Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in a national/international organization working in crisis management, in the humanitarian field is an asset.

Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;


Area(s) of expertise
Administration, Crisis and emergency response, Communication

Driving license
-

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
French, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in social sciences, International relations, , Development, Natural Disaster Management, Human Sciences, Public Administration, or another relevant/related field.


Competencies and values
• Professionalism: understanding of contexts and operations relevant to OCHA; discretion, tactful;; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors;; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work autonomously under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; sound security awareness;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and OCHA in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of operations;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational skills and ability to manage work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to communicate with staff and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; ; willingness to travel within the area of operations;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards OCHA’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.


Other information
Living conditions and remarks
This position is located within the OCHA field Office of Bamenda.
Bamenda: is the capital city of the North-West region of Cameroon, one the two regions affected by the anglophone crisis since 2017. Bamenda is located 366 km north-west of the capital city Yaounde. Before the crisis, Bamenda was a vibrant buzzing city of around 2 million people. The crisis has caused massive movements of Internally Displaced People. Bamenda enjoys a cool climate and scenic hilly location, and the main industries are the processing of agricultural produce such as coffee, elementary food processing, handicraft, cottage industry, education (schools), tourism/hospitality, construction works and transport, which used to flourish thanks to proximity and trade with neighboring Nigeria. Many of the city's inhabitants are English-speaking, and Cameroonian Pidgin English is the main language spoken in the shops and on the streets of Bamenda. OCHA has field office in Bamenda which provides humanitairian aid to populations affected by the crisis including IDPs, returnees and other vulnerable populations.


As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at : https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1747141524344064