Field Assistant, UNOPS, LICA-4

at UNHCR
Location Somali, Ethiopia
Date Posted August 13, 2021
Category Business Development
Facility Management
Social Sciences
Job Type Contract
Currency ETB

Description

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT.

Field Assistants works under the direct supervision of the Camp Coordination and Camp Management Officer Sub-National Lead under the Cluster Approach. In complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters where UNHCR is designated as the Protection Cluster Lead Agency and Camp Coordination and Camp Management Sub-National Lead under the Cluster Approach, UNHCR performs a dedicated coordination, strategy development and advocacy function through the positions of the Cluster Coordinators (Protection & CCCM).

While Ethiopia battles residual needs from the 2015/2016 El Niño-induced drought, below average rains in the southern and south-eastern parts of the country led to a drought in lowland pastoralist areas, with the Somali region the worst affected. As a result, some 10 million people in Ethiopia require emergency food assistance. In addition, in 2017 another drought affected the same area of the country causing 8.5 million Ethiopians to be in need of relief food assistance. In September 2017, a series of events escalated in conflict between the Oromia and Somali regions. By the end of 2017, 1.6 million persons were displaced, and among these 1.1 million were displaced as a result of conflict. Internal displacement is increasing, due to the combination of drought and inter-communal tensions.

The Somali region currently hosts more than 844,642 IDPs living in 408 sites across the region. Displacement places additional strain on the limited resources for affected populations, which may also lead to competition over resources between host communities and displaced persons. Reports and assessments led by local authorities indicate that access to services is not designed to incorporate the needs of vulnerable groups amongst affected populations.

Since 2017 the UNHCR Sub-Office Jijiga made a significant contribution in its humanitarian response activities through Protection portfolio in providing assistance to the displaced population in the various IDP sites in Somali region that include Shebelle, Fafan, Liban, Siti and Doolo zones as well as mainly in Qoloji IDP site.  In 2020 the UNHCR IDP Response unit was given more push to scale up its interventions through Protection Cluster, UNHCR as a lead in the Region and through CCCM as the WG under Protection Cluster

Realizing the need for scaling up the UNHCR CCCM interventions in the many sites, UNHCR conducted a filed assessment to establish the extent which CCCM would be needed to support humanitarian response.  Findings from Nogob and Shebelle Zones along with Fafan Zone precisely Qoloji IDP Camp revealed massive need for scaling up CCCM activities.  With the activation of the CCCM Cluster in Ethiopia in March 2021, the process gave a boost to this plan where CCCM as a standalone cluster has now scaled up its interventions in approximately 8 regions.  UNHCR being the Sub-Regional CCCM Cluster lead sees the necessity to scale up its direct CCCM interventions while maintaining its CCCM Cluster lead role in the region.

Somali region like other regions has experienced continuous displacements as a result of multiple factors including tribal/clan conflicts, drought, floods and desert locusts which has contributed immensely to the human sufferings in the region.  It is estimated that as per the IOM DTM data Round 25 a total of 78,105 Households with a total of 473,160 individuals are currently displaced from the places of origin and accommodated in the formal and informal IDP camps/Sites managed by the Government body DRMB in Somali Region.  This has triggered UNHCR CCCM through IDP Response Unit to reposition itself in terms of increasing its response capacity to bring on board additional staffing to support its response in Somali region and be able to effectively and efficiently provide protection services and assistance delivery to the affected populations.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

  • Key Actor for community Mobilization and engagement, participate in the mobilization of community leadership and other community members in the IDP Camp/Site.
  • Develop and sustain good working relationships with IDP population in order to be well positioned to help communicate views, needs and issues between stakeholders.
  • Participate in information sharing/sensitization between camp management and the IDP population in coordination with other Agencies working at the IDP site., ensuring that all IDPs, regardless of literacy and language skills, can access information
  • Participate in awareness raising campaigns e.g. fire Awareness, Information awareness on communicable diseases such as COVID-19; Cholera etc.
  • Monitor services delivery in the various IDP Sites and report any identified gaps or concern.
  • Facilitate in organizing IDP community events
  • Assist in organizing and conducting surveys, assessments, and focus group discussions
  • Follow up on community activities to ensure full participation of women, vulnerable individuals and the youth is well represented
  • Participate in the relocation process and other durable solution activities.
  • Participate in periodic IDP Community Leadership meetings or other Meetings at different IDPs sites
  • Provide oral translation upon request for the CCCM team member and other UNHCR staff.
  • Provide the CCCM Officer with inputs for reports on CCCM interventions and other service delivery activities in the IDP Camps/Sites
  •  Represents UNHCR in the IDP general activities at site level by liaison with the DRMB/DRMOs for the IDP Response activities
  • Attend Sub-National CCCM Cluster Coordination meetings and provide UNHCR updates in absence of the CCCM Field Associate
  • Performed any other duties assigned by the UNHCR CCCM Officer.

WORK DETAILS

The Field Assistant is responsible for the Community Mobilization, Information Dissemination/Campaign and monitoring of services delivered in all the IDPs sites of Somali Region. This entails building effective collaboration with a diversity of stakeholders, ranging from the IDP community leadership structures in each IDP camp, humanitarian partners, host communities and local authorities. The CCCM Field Assistant reports to the CCCM Officer, maintains lateral communication and coordination with the UNHCR Protection and Resettlement Units.  He/she will develop and maintain community participation mechanisms in IDP camp/Site by ensuring that the voices of men, women, boys, girls and groups with specific needs are heard and represented.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

Job ID; 28764

Eligible Applicants: This position is advertised open to internal and external applicants.

Procedures and Eligibility: Interested applicants should consult the Administrative Instruction on Recruitment and Assignment of Locally Recruited Staff (RALS).

Additional  Information

  • Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
  • An eliminatory or complementary written test for shortlisted candidates may be concluded which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Number of Positions: Four (4)

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications;

  • Education & Professional Work Experience; Years of Experience / Degree
  • For G4 - 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

  • Counselling skills
  • Interviewing skills
  •  Negotiation skills

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES.

  •  Accountability
  • Communication
  • Organizational Awareness
  •  Teamwork & Collaboration
  • Commitment to Continuous Learning
  • Client & Result Orientation

Position Competencies

  • Competencies as defined in Job Profile

 

Applying Instructions

Interesting  and Qualified Applicant can apply through: www.unhcr.org – Careers- Vacancies

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Applications must be nationals of the country and be locally recruited within the country of their employment.

The closing date for submission of applications is on Thursday 19 August 2021 (Mid-night Ethiopian time).

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