Job Vacancy: Programme Officer

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Job Vacancy: Job title: Programme Officer

Job description: Details:Mission and objectives:Established in 1997 by the General Assembly, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) serves as the United Nations focal point for mine action and supports its vision of “a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies.” UNMAS coordinates and collaborates with fourteen UN departments, agencies, programmes and funds to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problems of landmines and explosive remnants of war, including cluster munitions. UNMAS establishes, manages, and provides strategic direction to mine-action coordination centres in countries and territories as part of peacekeeping operations and humanitarian emergencies or crises. In these situations, UNMAS may plan and carry out mine-action projects, support and coordinate the work of local and international mine-action service providers, and set priorities for mine clearance, mine-risk education and all other aspects of mine action.Context:The active non-international armed conflict in Nigeria continues in the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY). The conflict has displaced over two million people who then sought refuge in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps or camp-like settings and host communities across the BAY states. In November 2023, the Borno State Government confirmed that plans were underway for the decongestion of camps and establishing a pathway for: i) the return of IDPs to their places of origin; ii) relocating IDPs in camps to new housing settlements; or iii) integration within local communities. The overall aim is to close and decommission all camp structures firstly in Maiduguri town and MMC (Maiduguri Metropolitan Council)/Jere town, and secondly in garrison towns (local government areas or LGAs) of Borno. Ten sites for return, resettlement or relocation have been potentially identified in the LGAs of Ngala, Monguno, Bama and Pulka. UNMAS conducted an analysis, using available information, and has shown that these areas are impacted by the presence of explosive ordnance (EO).The potential movement of IDPs following camp closures exposes them to the potential threat of EO. UNMAS recorded 474 EO incidents between January 2023 and March 2024, including 255 IED incidents, the majority of which were in Borno. Over the same period, 190 people were injured or killed, of which 148 were civilians versus 42 security forces casualties. UNMAS also recognizes that the number of incidents and accidents may be higher because of poor reporting. As there are currently no survey and clearance activities conducted by mine action operators, the risk from EO is mitigated through the delivery of explosive ordnance risk education (EORE). EORE is part of the broader mine action programme and goes beyond the communication of safety messages. UNMAS works to ensure that mine action information is managed and used by all humanitarian and development stakeholders in planning and strategy development.Task description:Under the supervision of the UNMAS Chief of Mine Action Programme leadership, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:1. Programme Development Planning and Coordination
a. Assist in the coordination of the the development and articulation of the Programme Strategy (PS) in line with relevant UN and government and/or national or regional strategies, and review/update at necessary intervals.
b. Support the Head of Project Unit to ensure PS and related work plans are accurately budgeted and resourced.
c. Support the management team to translate the Strategy into implementation/results work plans and associated monitoring mechanisms and draft project documents as needed for the implementation of the programme.
d. Coordinate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in-country and at HQ, to ensure aligned and coherent planning and implementation processes.2. Development and Follow up of resource mobilization opportunities
a. Monitor humanitarian and development, inform CMAP of trends and needs to identify potential areas of intervention within UN mandates and existing capacity.
b. Stay abreast of policies on mine action, UN policies, and cross-cutting priorities, such as gender, diversity, conflict sensitivity, sustainability, and environment, to be included in project delivery as relevant.
c. Coordinate preparation of programme documents, including concept notes, proposals, and associated budgets.
d. Draft and/or review funding agreements and other project documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.
e. Prepare, and provide editing support for high quality summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, project reports, annual reports, situation reports, briefing notes, code cables, and UN reports.
f. Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and ensure relevant team members implement follow-up actions, as appropriate; research and prepare analytical, and sometimes sensitive documents for the management team.3. Stakeholder Coordination, Representation, and Inter-agency collaboration
a. Support the CMAP to establish and build relationships with UN, international organizations, donors, governments, and mine action stakeholders for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of programme implementation.
b. Participate in, contribute to and report on the relevant inter-agency, UN mission, donor and inter-governmental coordination meetings in consultation with relevant programme technical experts when required.
c. Support the management team with UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNSDCF, humanitarian response plans, integrated strategic frameworks, etc.
d. Assist in the coordination, participate in, and/or contribute to the Mine Action Area of Responsibility/Sub-Cluster under the Protection Cluster, where relevant, including the formulation of the mine action components for the Humanitarian Needs Overview and Response Plan Response plan, in collaboration with the UNMAS Geneva office.
e. Support the applications of policies, practices and procedures associated with the overall implementation of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle and associated funding and monitoring mechanisms, where relevant, in collaboration with the UNMAS Geneva office.
f. Support the development of communication strategies, linked to resource mobilization strategies, where relevant, to maximise communication impact and outreach and build awareness of the Country Programme.
g. Support design, coordination and dissemination of public information products and communication activities as well as gather and draft content for communications products and platforms.
h. Support CMAP preparations for official meetings, events, briefings, and field visits, and prepare talking points, briefing notes, presentations and speeches for the management team and senior UN officials.4. Knowledge Management and Document Management and Innovation
a. Maintain records of programme files and other necessary programme documents such as documentation of decisions and actions taken on programme issues.
b. Implement relevant standards, tools and templates to effectively manage programme and project development and implementation.
c. Identify, contribute to, record and share the ongoing development and implementation of best practice, lessons identified, and innovative approaches to improve overall programme
performance.
d. Contribute to the management and upkeep of risk management and issue management logs and processes.Requirements:programme/project development or management, in either public or private sector organizations.
● Progressive experience in programme/project development or management, in either public or private sector organizations.
● Experience working internationally in humanitarian, conflict, or development contexts is required.
● Experience working in humanitarian mine action or explosive risk reduction programmes is highly desirable.Important information:
This position is open to Bachelor and Master degree holders. Whilst candidates with bachelor degree’s are required to have minimum 4 years work experience, candidates with master degrees are required to have minimum 2 years of work experience.Competencies and values:● Integrity and Inclusion
● Leading self and others
● Partnering
● Result Oriented
● Agility
● Solution focused
● Effective communicationArea(s) of expertise:

• Crisis and emergency response
• Business management

Required education level:Bachelor degree or equivalentOther information: Maiduguri is a non-family duty station. There is a local airport in Maiduguri and the temperature gets as high as 40 degrees. Water is readily available and there are a couple of banking institutions that personnel can choose from. There are several reliable communication providers that personnel can choose from. There is a medical facility within the UN compound to give first aid treatment and there is a teaching hospital within the Maiduguri metropolis where severe cases can be referred to. Electricity is epileptic in Nigeria. However, most accommodation facilities have a back up generator to cater for electricity supply. Nigeria is a mix of culturally Christian and Islamic religion. UN personnel are cautioned to behave in a manner appropriate to local customs. Personal dress should be professional and modest, and public displays of affection should be avoided. Public exhibition of sexual intimacy is forbidden and may expose to official criminal charges or other malicious acts. Women must dress appropriately in light of cultural and religious requirements to cover their body sensitive parts. Staff are to avoid all public display of sexual intimacy.Nigeria is a unique country and the UNMAS programme is a unique operation. It provides an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as stamina and commitment. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Location: Maiduguri, Borno State

Job date: Wed, 29 May 2024 00:49:19 GMT

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