Humanitarian Access Specialist

The overall purpose of the role

DRC Somalia is looking for a dynamic and experienced Access Specialist who will provide overall technical guidance of DRCs operations to earn and maintain safe, principled and sustainable access to hard to reach populations across Somalia. A growing number of conflict and displacement-affected people in Somalia are facing an unprecedented drought, and now live in circumstances where they cannot access protection and basic assistance in accordance with their rights. The Danish Refugee Councils Operation in Somalia prioritises the need for greater emphasis on affected communities that live in hard-to-reach locations or otherwise marginalised and hard to reach due to marginalization.

The Access Specialist will support DRC teams in the implementation of global Access guidance, tools and policies in close collaboration with program, safety and support teams. The Access specialist will also collaborate closely with the Emergency Unit and the Global Access/H2R Advisors and DRCs growing Access department. The Access specialist will be expected to rove extensively throughout the DRC mission, supporting both static field sites and the mobile emergency response unit.

DRC is searching for a dynamic candidate, with a wide range of experience including program implementation. The Somalia context requires innovative thinking, and integrating access strategies with programmatic tools, objectives and activities. Strong candidates are those who are able to demonstrate a practical knowledge of the links between program implementation, acceptance and access.

Responsibilities

Access

• Collect, compile and distribute information relating to humanitarian access to the Country Director, Emergency Coordinator, Mobile Emergency Response Team, Area Managers and Head of Safety and Humanitarian Access and other internal stakeholders in a timely manner
• Facilitate effective information flow between field-level access realities and the coordination teams at area and country level
• Support the facilitation and maintenance of a network of external stakeholders to corroborate information and resolve operational access challenges this includes extensive engagement at community level across different areas of DRC operations
• Supports the timely production of district-level context assessments, stakeholder mapping, access dynamics and trend analysis
• Identify opportunities for strengthening access measures, as well as opportunities for promoting community acceptance and accountability to the affected population
• Promotes internal sensitization and awareness of internal access documents such as red lines, access reporting systems etc

Safety

• Ensure linkages with the safety team regarding safety/security constraints
• Feed into safety team context analysis
• Provide updates regarding access and safety to relevant safety colleagues at country level
• Liaise when necessary with INSO and other coordination bodies.

Project and program development and implementation

• Participate in relevant programmatic strategy development
• Initial onboarding/phase dedicated to the Mobile Emergency Response Team, to familiarize with DRC 1st and 2nd line responses related to either conflict or natural disaster induced displacement
• Support static field sites with access engagement for respective programming CCCM, Protection, Economic Recovery, HDP, Emergency Response
• Support the development of programming modalities and the implementation of programs in hard to reach populations
• Review and advise on assessments, and inclusive targeting of hard to reach populations, including marginalized communities
• Participate in relevant programmatic strategy development

Collaboration

• Work closely with the Global Access Function in developing and/or strengthening components of hard-to-reach approaches related to:

• The Access Framework
• Humanitarian Space, Access and Needs centred advocacy

Coordination

• Represent DRC in the Access Working Group and/or CMCoord working group, dependent on coordination with the Emergency Specialist and Head of Safety and Humanitarian Access, contributing to the development of collective strategy and guidelines for the wider Somalia response
• Participate in relevant coordination fora as necessary

Capacity Building

• Lead on the roll out of training modules for DRC Somalia teams, including:

• Humanitarian Access
• Humanitarian Negotiations
• Civil Military Coordination (TBD)

• Support in the development of training materials regarding Humanitarian Principles, IHL and customary law for DRC staff, communities and local authorities

Accountability

• Ensure compliance with the DRC procurement policies and donor guidelines
• Ensure compliance with the DRC risk and accountability frameworks

Strategic Development and Advocacy

• Contribute to the development and implementation of DRCs Access strategy, taking a lead on hard-to-reach issues and constraints
• Support the HPA in the development of an advocacy strategy for DRC Somalia, integrating access advocacy objectives into the strategy

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRCs five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in planning, implementation, and monitoring of activities and projects in complex humanitarian crisis
• A University level degree in relevant subject or relevant technical qualification
• Proven experience working in complex emergency contexts with hard-to-reach components, including provision of technical advice to field teams and programme development with a particular focus on access
• Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities and to delegate
• Excellent communication skills in English, including ability to present complex technical information in a simple way.
• Strong experience in team management and capacity building and training of staff and target groups
• Ability to understand and integrate protection issues
• Detailed knowledge of humanitarian principles, guidelines and standards
• Full professional proficiency in English and Fluency in Somali

Conditions

Contract: 12 months with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered by DRCs Terms of Employment for National Staff; Employment band Non-Management G1

Availability: 15th January 2024

Duty station: This position is based in Mogadishu Somalia with field travel

Technical Manager: Emergency Manager

Reporting Line: Head of Safety and Humanitarian Access

Providing equal opportunities, we are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards: DRCs capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP, and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct about DRCs values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. DRC conducts thorough background checks as part of the recruitment process

Application and CV

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered

Candidates who previously applied need not to apply

DRC only accepts applications sent via our online application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 25th December 2023.

Apply now