Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Adviser

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. NRC has been operational since 1946 and has grown to become a leading organization in the humanitarian sector, with a presence in over 30 countries worldwide. The organization is dedicated to providing high-quality aid and defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC employs thousands of staff members globally and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce. The organization emphasizes the importance of safeguarding and has a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation and abuse.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Adviser plays a crucial role in supporting the design and implementation of principled humanitarian responses in Niger. This position is vital for ensuring sustained and quality access for NRC's operations in a challenging security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security environment. The Adviser will provide analysis, operational support, and technical guidance to program teams, ensuring that humanitarian activities are conflict-sensitive and adapted to the local context. The role involves advising on strategic decision-making, program design, and monitoring, as well as co-chairing the Access Working Group (AWG) in Niger. The Adviser will work closely with various stakeholders, including the Humanitarian Coordinator and other humanitarian organizations, to address access constraints and promote effective coordination in the humanitarian response.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the HAS Adviser include:

• Direct support to programs (40%): Advising program teams on designing conflict-sensitive activities, contributing to contextual and access analyses, participating in Project Cycle Management (PCM), training program teams and local partners on humanitarian access issues, and supporting planning based on access constraints.
• AWG Co-Lead and advocacy support (40%): Supporting access strategy development, collecting information from humanitarian actors, facilitating AWG meetings, and contributing to access training and workshops.
• Access analysis and humanitarian advocacy: Rolling out the NRC access monitoring tool, drafting bi-monthly access reports, and contributing to regional analyses.
• Networking and coordination: Building synergies with existing actors, networking with AWG members, and co-representing AWG-Niger in regional meetings.
• Support to the security department (20%): Analyzing access-related risks, contributing to security plans, advising on engagement with conflict parties, and participating in access incident management.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• Professional Competencies: A minimum of 5 years of experience in humanitarian work in conflict or volatile contexts, including a senior role. A Master's degree in a relevant field or a Bachelor's degree with equivalent work experience. Demonstrated experience in humanitarian programming and access, with a strong understanding of humanitarian principles. Previous experience in complex contexts and access negotiations with NGOs or UN agencies is essential. Excellent writing and analytical skills are required.
• Context Related Skills: Knowledge of the Sahel region is a strong asset, along with experience leading coordination forums and working with NGOs and the UN system. Experience in risk management and remote management is also valuable.
• Behavioral Competencies: Skills in handling insecure environments, planning and delivering results, working with people, analyzing, communicating with impact, and coping with change.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in a relevant field, such as international relations, humanitarian studies, or a related discipline. A Bachelor's degree may be acceptable if accompanied by equivalent work experience in the humanitarian sector.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in humanitarian work, particularly in conflict or post-conflict settings. Candidates should have experience in senior roles that involve strategic decision-making and program design, as well as a proven track record in humanitarian access negotiations and programming.

Languages:
Fluency in French, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this position. Working proficiency in English, both written and verbal, is also required. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Niamey, Niger, with a contract duration of 12 months. The salary is graded at level 8 on NRC’s salary scale, and the contract is classified as national/resident. NRC is committed to providing equal opportunities and fostering a diverse workforce. The organization encourages innovative ideas and provides employees with opportunities for professional growth. Employees are expected to adhere to NRC's safeguarding policies and contribute to a safe working environment.