Cameroon: Humanitarian Coordinator

Cameroon is today affected by three concurrent, complex humanitarian crises: Boko Haram violence in the Far North region; consequences of the influx of refugees from conflict in the Central African Republic into the eastern regions (Adamawa, North and East); and growing humanitarian needs due to the conflict in the Northwest (NW) and Southwest (SW) regions of Cameroon. Humanitarian challenges are reinforced by structural factors and chronic vulnerabilities that hinder the long-term recovery of affected people.

The crisis has had a major impact on the education sector: for the past three years, insecurity, displacement of teachers, and threats and attacks on education infrastructures and personnel have left 850,000 school aged children out of school. As of October 2019, on average 18% of primary school aged children are attending government schools in NW and SW, while an estimated 175,000 school aged children, including 59,000 adolescents remain displaced and with limited access to education. An estimated 30,000 students have been integrated in the primary schools of neighboring regions (Littoral and West), leading to an overstress of the existing education capacity in these regions, with reports of school classes of 200 children.

The humanitarian situation is projected in NW and SW regions to further deteriorate in 2020. The lack of progress towards political solutions, and an increase in violence are likely to result in further displacement and increase of humanitarian needs. The limited humanitarian assistance, coupled with limited availability of and access to basic health and WASH services and the poor vaccination coverage, are likely to lead to outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases, water borne diseases and an increase in malaria cases. The education system is unable to function in a context of high insecurity, and teachers and school aged children are in need of psychosocial support. Lack of education, already leading to developmental gaps in literacy and numeracy, will lead to illiteracy in the long term. Lower educational levels are associated with high protection risks, increase in child pregnancies, higher child and maternal mortality rates, reduced income and will take generations to resolve.

Finally, human rights abuses and violations, including torture, arbitrary arrest and detention and forced disappearances, continue to be reported at an alarming rate. In 2020, people in Cameroon will continue to be affected by the three above mentioned concurrent and complex humanitarian crises. The overall number of people in need of assistance and protection in Cameroon in 2020 is projected at 4.3 million.

ROLE DESCRIPTION: Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Cameroon Country Office (CO) Representative and /or Head of Office, and the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the incumbent will assist the Cameroon CO in the planning, coordination and implementation of humanitarian interventions, including rapid assessments, programme development and implementation. The incumbent will provide direct support to the CO and affected populations by the ongoing conflict in the acute response phase and, in consultation with the Representative and the Deputy Representative, will closely work with national authorities, humanitarian agencies, civil society and local counterparts to provide humanitarian assistance to the crisis affected communities in a manner consistent with the methodology outlined in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Cluster system and Humanitarian Programme Cycle (https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/programme-cycle)

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The scope of the activities listed below may vary depending on the length of assignment and phase of the crisis.

Programme Development and Implementation

• Ensure inclusion of RH, GBV, and gender concerns in joint UNCT/UNDAC missions and other rapid assessments in close collaboration with RH and GBV officers.
• Advise the UNFPA CO and sub-Office Coordinator (when applicable); assist in the preparation for and participate in coordination meetings relating to emergency response, and ensure follow up.
• Support the development of CERF, Flash Appeal proposals and ensure quality review.
• Coordinate the implementation of the UNFPA Standards Operating Procedures for humanitarian settings.
• Liaise with UNFPA ROs, SROs and HQ units to share information, provide necessary updates and seek guidance as necessary.
• Identify areas of collaboration with humanitarian agencies and national counterparts to address RH, HIV/AIDS, youth, gender and GBV issues in their plans, and programmes.
• Liaise with community organizations, faith-based organizations, and community leaders to increase their participation in the process of planning, monitoring and evaluating activities.
• Participate in CO and other cluster/ inter-agency meetings as needed.

Rapid Assessments/field visits

• As appropriate, participate in /ensure inclusion of UNFPA’s core Areas of Responsibility in rapid field/needs assessments of the crisis-affected populations.
• If applicable, visit IDPs and host communities and conduct in-depth interviews with community leaders, and other agencies present on the ground to gather information on the immediate needs of the people and the services to be provided.
• Undertake missions and assessments as appropriate to recommend strategic approaches and to address issues, such as RH, HIV/AIDS, gender, GBV, mental health and psychosocial issues, data and young people.

Orientation / Training

• Orient Country Office on Humanitarian Reform and UNFPA’s role within the reform, especially as it relates to the Cluster Approach and the contents CERF Life-Saving Criteria and provide overall orientation on UNFPA’s humanitarian mandate and Standards Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Familiarize/orient the CO with existing rapid needs assessment tools.
• Familiarize/ Orient the CO staff with existing UNFPA emergency procedures.

Coordination

• As requested, coordinate CO’s various interventions and represent UNFPA at Cluster / Working Group coordination meetings to share knowledge and ensure comprehensive understanding.
• Ensure inclusion of UNFPA mandate through participation in existing Clusters, and/or, if appropriate, assist in the establishment of working groups to address RH, GBV and gender.
• Liaise with other sectors/Clusters (such as health, protection, WASH, camp management, education, logistics, early recovery) to ensure inclusion of UNFPA’s mandate.

Communication/ Reporting

• Assist the CO in preparing relevant advocacy material and updates for relevant stakeholders and partners including donors.
• Assist in providing regular updates to OCHA and/or Cluster leads on UNFPA’s humanitarian interventions to be included in situation reports (i.e.: OCHA SitRep).
• Track and regularly update supported humanitarian interventions (i.e. status of funding proposals, distribution of supplies, training).

Resource Mobilization/Humanitarian funding

• Advocate for inclusion of ICPD PoA in emergency response and ensure UNFPA is well positioned in resource mobilization efforts, including humanitarian funding mechanisms such as Flash Appeal/ CERF).
• As necessary, identify and organize meetings with in-country donors to discuss resource mobilization.

Capacity Development

• Provide coaching to newly recruited staff and consultants, where appropriate.
• Coach and build capacity of staff members and staff of implementing partners responding to emergency/humanitarian crisis, as needed.

Any Other Duties

• Perform any other duties as required by the Representative and/or Head of Office, RO/SRO, and HQ.

Qualifications and Skills Required

• Advanced technical degree preferably in medicine, public health, social sciences, humanitarian response, international relations or related field.
• 5 to 7 years of experience in coordinating, developing and implementing humanitarian interventions in crisis settings.
• Knowledge of the humanitarian reform process and roles/responsibilities of humanitarian actors.
• Strong analytical, coordination and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in English required; Able to effectively communicate in French preferred.

All interested candidates, please send your CV and a brief motivational statement to UNFPA at surge@unfpa.org. Include the date of your earliest availability. In the subject line be sure to write: Cameroon Humanitarian Coordinator Vacancy / Relief Web