About the Context
Since the beginning of 2022, the security situation in Niger remains volatile. Humanitarian access in some areas is one of the main challenges in the implementation of humanitarian responses in Niger. This is visible in a number of regions with significant humanitarian needs, including Tillabéri, Tahoua, Maradi and Diffa. The presence of multiple armed actors has contributed to restricting humanitarian space.
The purpose of the Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) function is to enable a principled humanitarian response in a safe manner, for the communities and partners NRC works with, and for its staff. Despite the efforts of the humanitarian community to deliver assistance to those in need, security and access constraints remain significant challenges. Obstacles such as conflict and violence, environmental and physical challenges, bureaucratic hurdles, and interference in humanitarian operations hinder the delivery of services and protection to displacement-affected people.
In this context, strengthening humanitarian coordination to promote access is essential. This is one of the reasons for the establishment of the Access Working Group (AWG) in Niger, whose objective is to contribute to a more effective and coordinated humanitarian response, to support the efforts of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and other partners in the implementation and monitoring of the HCT access strategy and action plan, and to analyse access constraints with a view to resolving bottlenecks. NRC, as an active member of this body, wishes to strengthen its participation by providing a dedicated staff member to act as Co-Lead alongside OCHA.
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What we are looking for
The Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Adviser supports principled response design and implementation by providing analysis, operational support, and technical guidance to ensure sustained and quality access for NRC Niger. The Adviser reports to the HAS Manager for line supervision, and technically to the Country Director (CD), and works closely with the Country Management Group (CMG) on implementing NRC's Humanitarian Access Framework.
The position combines two complementary functions. First, as NRC's internal HAS Adviser, the incumbent advises on strategic decision-making, programme design, monitoring, and operational footprints to be principled, conflict-sensitive, adaptive, and contextually driven. Second, the Adviser co-chairs Niger's Access Working Group (AWG) alongside OCHA, contributing to inform and brief humanitarian organisations and fora (notably the NGO coordination groups) on humanitarian access issues and barriers, and collecting information from humanitarian actors to inform the AWG. While the position is hosted by NRC, the incumbent is expected to spend significant time with the offices of AWG member organisations, in a spirit of collaboration and collective outcomes.
The AWG Co-Lead function drives collective action to overcome humanitarian access barriers impeding the delivery of principled and quality assistance to populations in hard-to-reach areas, and in response to new emergencies. The Co-Lead also capitalises on existing initiatives, research results, and available tools, making them accessible to AWG member organisations.
What you will do
Direct support to programmes (40%)
- Advise programme teams on the design of conflict-sensitive activities, adapted to access dynamics.
- Contribute to contextual and access analyses in proposals, reports, and strategic notes.
- Participate in Project Cycle Management (PCM), integrating access analysis and supporting programme decision-making.
- Train programme teams and local partners on humanitarian access issues and negotiations.
- Support planning and prioritisation of activities based on access constraints and risks.
AWG Co-Lead and advocacy support (40%)
Strategy development & implementation
- Provide support on periodic access strategy development processes, ensuring AWG members' perspectives and aspirations are represented in the strategy and work-plan.
- Contribute to the collection of information from humanitarian actors, notably NNGOs, to guide the implementation of the work-plan, including access severity mapping, incident reporting and monitoring, stakeholder mapping, bureaucratic constraints, negotiations, policy development, advocacy and training.
Management & capacity building
- Support the preparation and facilitation of monthly and ad-hoc AWG-Niger meetings, including agenda preparation, co-chairing, minute-taking, and follow-up of action points.
- Support the establishment of temporary sub-working groups/task forces on specific activities.
- Contribute to the organisation and delivery of access training and workshops, within the humanitarian community or with external stakeholders.
Access analysis & humanitarian advocacy
- Support the roll-out of the NRC access monitoring tool, internally and with NGO partners, to inform programme decision-making and advocacy at country and regional level.
- Draft bi-monthly access reports based on the NRC access monitoring tool, and thematic briefing notes upon request.
- Contribute to regional analyses and advocacy notes in collaboration with the Regional Access Adviser and Regional Head of Advocacy.
Networking & coordination
- Build synergies with existing actors and fora (OCHA, ICCG, clusters, civil-military coordination) to ensure AWG-Niger analyses are informed by programmatic and operational priorities.
- Network actively with AWG members, donors, and Country Directors of INGOs and UN agencies to ensure the relevance and visibility of the AWG's contribution.
- Co-represent AWG-Niger in meetings of the regional Task Force on Access.
Support to the security department (20%)
- Work with the Security Manager to analyse access-related risks and develop mitigation measures.
- Contribute to the preparation and implementation of security plans, including acceptance, protection, and deterrence approaches.
- Provide advice on engagement with parties to the conflict, including non-state armed groups and state armed forces at the country level, when requested by management.
- A working relationship with the HAS Coordinator based on functional and complementary collaboration, without any hierarchical relationship or line management responsibilities
- Support field security assessments and contribute to strategic decisions on presence and expansion.
- Participate in the management of access incidents and post-incident follow-up.
- Develop and maintain networks of community and security contacts.
- Perform any other task related to HAS and the position, as delegated by the HAS Manager.
What you will bring
1.Professional Competencies
- Minimum 5 years' experience in humanitarian work in conflict/post-conflict or volatile contexts, including in a senior role.
- Master's degree in a relevant field (or Bachelor's degree with equivalent work experience).
- Demonstrated experience in humanitarian programming and access.
- Strong understanding of humanitarian principles and how to operationalise them within a humanitarian response, including humanitarian access dilemmas.
- Previous experience in complex contexts and participating in access negotiations with an NGO and/or UN agencies.
- Demonstrated excellent writing and analytical skills.
- Fluency in French, both written and verbal.
- Working proficiency in English, both written and verbal.
Context Related Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
- Demonstrated experience in and/or knowledge of the Sahel region is a strong asset.
- Experience leading or contributing to coordination forums (AWG/HAWG or equivalent) would be a strong asset.
- Experience with NGOs and the UN system would be an asset.
- Experience in risk management with implementing partners.
- Experience in remote management is an added value.
- Prior experience as a trainer is an added value.
2.Behavioural competencies
- Handling insecure environment
- Planning and delivering results
- Working with people
- Analysing
- Communicating with impact and respect
- Coping with change
Find more details Job Description_ HAS Adviser Niger.pdf
What we offer
- Duty station: Niamey, Niger
- Contract: 12 months
- Salary&benefits: grade 8 on NRC’s salary scale (The contract is national/resident)
- NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
- We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.
- Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC https://www.nrc.no/career/what-we-offer/
- Kindly send any questions about the application process to: [email protected]. Applications sent via email will not be accepted. Please check your application status on your NRC application profile.