Vacancy at Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI)

COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in Milan in 1965. COOPI aims to help the world’s poorest to improve their access to healthcare, food, and financial security, and to overcome their special vulnerability to wars, civil conflicts and natural disasters. 

Job Title:  Humanitarian Response Advisor

Context:
In May 2013, the Government of Nigeria (GON) declared a State of Emergency (SOE) in the north-eastern (NE) states of Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa in response to Boko Haram insurgency. As a result of the insurgency and counter-insurgency operations in the affected states, an estimated 2 million people were displaced and are living with host families or in camps (official and unofficial). Borno state is the epicentre of the conflict and is currently home for the biggest IDP population in Nigeria with over 1.4 million IDPs.
Over the last few weeks, the humanitarian situation in Borno has deteriorated significantly. The re-opening of Local Government Areas (LGAs) which were previously inaccessible has led to new IDP locations in the state, while ongoing conflict has resulted in the influx of more IDPs into Maiduguri metropolis and establishment of satellite camps in the state.. Emerging reports from newly accessible areas in Borno state illustrate urgent nutrition and food security needs in particular, in addition to WASH, shelter and health. The situation has led the Federal government of Nigeria to announce a food security and nutrition emergency in Borno state and the international humanitarian and donor community is expected to employ additional resources to support the national and state government in their response to the crisis.

COOPI in Nigeria
COOPI started its operations in North-East Nigeria in July 2014 to carry out a rapid evaluation of the most relevant constraints suffered by the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) displaced by the food crisis and the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin.
The COOPI Nigeria Field Office is located in Potiskum, Yobe State, in order to cover five LGAs in Yobe State and to provide direct assistance to the IDPs and their hosting communities, through a multi-sectorial programme covering Food Security, Nutrition and Child Protection interventions. COOPI’s capacity to respond to the humanitarian situation in the country is confirmed by its experience in providing humanitarian aid in more than 24 other Countries around the World, in over 50 years of operations.

Scope of the Consultancy
The Humanitarian Response Advisor will provide strategic guidance to COOPI mission on sectors and space for scaling up the emergency response in Borno state. The position will be primarily based in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, with possible travels across the areas of operations.

General objectives of the consultancy:

• Conduct rapid programmatic, logistical and security assessments in the newly accessible areas in Borno state
• Advise COOPI mission, based on capacities and needs, to scale up the humanitarian operations in Borno
• Represent COOPI at coordination meetings at Borno state level with UN sector leads, iNGOs, state government and other main actors
• Development of emergency response strategy for programmatic interventions tailored for the most vulnerable IDPs in Borno state

Expected outputs:

• Technical field assessment reports for pre identified areas of intervention (needs, targeting, sectors, actors, logistics and security)
• Redaction of 3-4 concept notes for multi-sectoral humanitarian interventions as per the assessments’ outputs to be presented for donors for fundraising
• Final consultancy mission report with recommendations for COOPI Nigeria mission to scale up the response

Main duties/Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Mission, the consultant is expected to undertake the following main tasks:

• Conduct a secondary data review of all relevant reports regarding the Borno nutrition, food security crisis, protection.
• Conduct a mapping of services provided by other actors, versus needs and coverage in order to assess where and how COOPI can scale up and set up operations in Borno
• In coordination with the Country Logistics and Security coordinator, and in coordination with other actors on the ground, map out accessible areas: safety/security and logistics considerations for operations
• Assess COOPI Nigeria capacities (HR, financial, logistical, security, technical etc) and make recommendations to the Head of Mission and the Area Manager regarding any additional needed capacities to strengthen the response plan for Borno
• Coordinate with all the different actors in Borno to explore options for COOPI for partnerships (if any)
• In coordination with the HoM, liaise with the donors based in Abuja
• Represent COOPI at coordination meetings with UN agencies, other iNGOs, donors and government stakeholders at Borno state level.
• Provide regular feedback from field level coordination to HoM at Abuja level
• Draft concept notes for multi-sectoral interventions in the newly accessible areas of Borno for fundraising purposes
• Complete final mission report
• Uphold COOPI’s mission and Charter of Values;
• Follow and enforce all COOPI codes of conduct and policies (globally and in-country);
• Report any violations to appropriate COOPI authority, and participate in preventative initiatives;

Profile of the candidate
Minimum Requirements:
*Experience:*

• Minimum of 5 years experience in the field of humanitarian assistance, emergency response, rapid assessments, forced displacements, people on the move and any other related fields.
• Proven experience in conducting rapid assessments for multiple sectors, with a particular focus on food security and nutrition
• Experience in conducting partner assessments
• Experience in building partnerships and networking with relevant stakeholders (donors, UN agencies, NGOs etc) and governmental organisations
• Sound knowledge of the Nigerian context and background of the conflict in the northeast

Skills:

• Ability to plan and organize work and write clear and concise reports and project proposals as well as to communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing)
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, Emails, Skype, Web researches);
• Fluency in oral and written English

Personal competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Comfortable working in a stressful and security constrained environment
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Proven commitment to accountability practices

How to apply:
Application should be submitted to: selezione@coopi.org
E-mail applications inclusive of:

• CV (max 3 pages)
• Cover Letter (max 1 page)
• One Writing sample – for example other completed assessment reports or end of mission reports

Please note that any late application or incomplete submission will not be considered and thus will be disregarded immediately. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.