Volunteerism Opportunity, Cameroon: United Nations Office of the Resident Coordinator needs the services of a Humanitarian and NEXUS (Humanitarian, Development and Peace) Specialist in Yaoundé
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Application deadline: 20 June 2021: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures, volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities. In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct.
Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
Organizational Context & Project Description: The Office of the Resident Coordinator is the main support structure for UN Country Team activities for the strengthening of the joint activities of the United Nations system in Cameroon. It coordinates UN operational activities for development so that United Nations assistance is aligned with national development priorities and the demand for capacity-building following international treaties and development goals. The Resident Coordinator is the leader of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), and his role is to bring together the various UN agencies to improve the coherence and effectiveness of their work for the development of Cameroon. A Humanitarian Development Peace (HDP) Coordinator was deployed in support to the RC/HC to develop a HDP Nexus approach in Cameroon and enhance the UN-World Bank Partnership. Sustainable Development Goals 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Application deadline: 20 June 2021:
Assignment Title: Humanitarian and NEXUS (Humanitarian, Development and Peace) Specialist
Country of Assignment: Cameroon
Host Institute: Resident Coordinator Office
Volunteer Category: International Specialist
Number of Volunteer: 1
Duration: 24 months
Expected Starting Date: 01-10-2021
Duty Station: Yaounde [CMR]
Assignment Place: Family Duty Station
Description of task
Under the direct supervision of the Resident Coordinator and with day-to-day direct supervision and support from the Humanitarian Development Peace Coordinator, UN Resident Coordinator Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Ensure the liaison between the RCO and OCHA and other humanitarian actors, for the timely provision of information to the RC, including the preparation of briefing notes, key messages, analyses, and reports.
- Support the coordination between RCO and OCHA, including for the definition and reviews of context, strategic and programmatic documents and through the RCO representation in technical meetings such as inter-sectoral meetings.
- Support the coordination among humanitarian, development, and peace-building partners the synergies of strategies and programmes supporting populations affected by crisis in areas of convergence in crisis-affected regions of Cameroon where the complementarity of mandates may enable more effective durable solutions.
- Support the leadership of the HDP Coordinator by preparing the HDP Nexus Task Force meetings; provide minutes of meetings; follow-up on recommendations; communicating with relevant stakeholders at local, regional and national levels.
- Support the creation of a common understanding of the HDP nexus approach and buy-in of local, regional and national authorities, through the production and updating of information products such as reports, charts and infographics by turning data into graphical products to convey messages and a storyline; develop advocacy materials including presentations and other visual materials.
- Facilitate information exchange and the promotion of data and information standards; engage with the humanitarian, development and peace-building stakeholders at national, regional and municipal levels to ensure those information activities are coordinated and consistent with international standards and practices; advocate for the use of data standards and common platforms, and the open exchange of information as appropriate.
- Support the establishment of a common data system of humanitarian, development, and peace-building actions operating within the same area of convergence.
- Support the HDP Coordinator’s efforts to enhance the UN- World Bank Partnership.
- Provide advocacy support for the following signatures issues identified by UNCT: protection in relationship to Legal identity and Leaving No One Behind; Modernisation of Data and Statistics with a focus on digitalisation and Private sector engagement; and
- Provide any support to RCO coordination and secretariat tasks as required.
Discover and apply for more jobs through this link: Careers | Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (hrlrc.org)
Qualifications/Requirements
Required degree level: Master degree or equivalent
Education – Additional Comments:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional four years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Required experience: 24 Months
Experience remark:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, recovery/reconstruction, development, peace-building or related area, is required.
Language skills:
- English(Mandatory), Level – Fluent
- French(Optional), Level – Working Knowledge
Area of expertise: Emergency response, immediate relief operations, and post-conflict humanitarian aid operations
Driving license: No
Competencies values:
Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Judgement and Decision-making, Knowledge Sharing, Managing Performance, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams
Application procedure:
Prerequisites
This assignment is funded by JICA, therefore only former Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JICA-JOCV) who could get recommendation by JICA-JOCV Secretariat are eligible to apply. Please check your application eligibility here: JICA website.
This is a UN Volunteer assignment and eligible candidates must be 25 years of age or older.
Selection process
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment, via competency-based interviews held via skype or telephone.
How to apply
Please apply via the link below. Humanitarian and NEXUS (Humanitarian, Development and Peace) Specialist | UNV
You may apply to a maximum of three assignments per advertisement and indicate your order of preference in the ‘Additional Remarks’ section of your profile.
Discover and apply for more jobs through this link: Careers | Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (hrlrc.org)
Assignment Place Remark
Living Conditions
Yaounde is the political capital of Cameroon and the second most populated city in the country after Douala. The official languages of Cameroon are English and French. Yaounde features a tropical wet and dry climate with constant temperatures throughout the year and high temperatures ranging from 27 to 29 degrees C. Yaounde also features a lengthy wet season covering a ten-month span between February and November. However, there is a noticeable decrease in precipitation within the wet season, seen during the months of July and August. Yaounde is a UNDSS security level 3 duty station.
The Resident Coordinator Office in Yaoundé is in Bastos district, where most Embassies and International Organizations have their offices. Several services (banks, international schools, etc.), restaurants and supermarkets are in Bastos. Transportation in Yaoundé can be done by taxi, although it is recommended to call private taxis rather than street taxis for security reasons.
The security situation in the city of Yaoundé is partially satisfactory. Petty crime is the main threat. Electricity cuts and water shortages are frequent. Visa, passport and yellow fever vaccination card are required for entry. Other vaccinations are strongly recommended.
COVID-19: Restrictions and other measures introduced as part of the government’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 remain largely unchanged in Cameroon as of Feb. 17. Land and sea borders remain closed to international travel. However, freight transport via land and sea routes is likely to continue but will be subject to increased screening. Air borders also remain largely closed, but authorities have permitted several flights out of Douala International Airport (DLA) and Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport (NSI). All citizens intending to travel to Cameroon must present a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours before the flight. In addition, travellers from high-risk countries as defined by the authorities face compulsory testing at the port-of-entry. Travelers without test documentation, who display symptoms, or test positive for COVID-19, face a 14-day quarantine at a government[1]approved hotel. It is currently unclear when regular air travel will resume. Domestically, nonessential businesses can operate, and limits have been lifted on local public transportation. Schools and universities are open but must adhere to strict health guidelines. All residents are required to wear facemasks. Restrictions on groups of more than 50 people remain in place; however, bars and restaurants have been allowed to reopen. The country’s national carrier, Camair-Co (QC), is operating some domestic flights.
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
