Humanitarian Access Adviser

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization dedicated to helping people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. Established in 1946, NRC has grown to employ approximately 15,000 staff members and operates in 40 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on providing life-saving assistance and long-term support to millions of people each year, emphasizing the importance of human dignity and the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees are empowered to contribute ideas and take responsibility in their roles.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Access Adviser position is crucial for leading and supporting humanitarian access initiatives in Yemen. The role involves developing strategies, tools, and work plans that facilitate NRC's operations in complex and constrained environments. The adviser will conduct detailed access analyses in collaboration with field staff to inform design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation, ensuring that access considerations are integrated into program planning and reporting. This position also supports training and capacity building on humanitarian access and negotiation, coordinates with Protection, Advocacy, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security units, and contributes to NRC's regional and global access efforts by sharing best practices and lessons learned. Additionally, the adviser plays a leadership role in inter-agency coordination, acting as the INGO Co-chair of OCHA's Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG), and supports cross-agency collaboration while contributing to international advocacy related to access issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Humanitarian Access Adviser will be responsible for several key duties, including: supporting access innovation initiatives by developing strategies, work plans, tools, and guidelines for managing NRC's access in Yemen; providing access analysis based on program operation demands in consultation with field staff; conducting area-based access analyses to support operational implementation or program development, including recommendations for addressing emerging issues; ensuring access elements are included in program design and reporting; identifying training needs and supporting or conducting training initiatives for field staff on humanitarian access, principles, and negotiations; contributing to advocacy efforts related to access in coordination with Protection and Advocacy Advisers; collaborating with Security to monitor, analyze, and respond to access and security constraints; refining and developing strategies, trainings, tools, and guidance for NRC Global; contributing to regional and global access discussions and documentation; acting as the INGO Co-chair of HAWG; ensuring linkages between access initiatives are established; collaborating with OCHA and data analysis units on key access issues; leading knowledge exchange platforms within agencies in Yemen on access issues; and contributing to NRC's international advocacy efforts related to access.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Humanitarian Access Adviser position must possess a master's level education or a related field. A minimum of three years of experience working as a Senior Project Manager in a humanitarian or recovery context is required. Previous experience in complex and volatile contexts is essential, and knowledge of the context in Yemen is highly desirable. Candidates should have a clear understanding of their leadership skills and documented results related to the responsibilities of the position. Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory, while knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a master's degree in a relevant field, which may encompass areas such as international relations, humanitarian studies, or a related discipline. This advanced education is essential to equip the candidate with the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively navigate the complexities of humanitarian access in challenging environments.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of three years of experience in a senior project management role within a humanitarian or recovery context. This experience should include working in complex and volatile environments, demonstrating the ability to adapt and respond to rapidly changing circumstances. Familiarity with the specific challenges and dynamics of the Yemeni context is highly advantageous, as it will inform the adviser's approach to access issues and program implementation.

Languages:
Fluency in English is a mandatory requirement for this position, as effective communication is critical in a humanitarian context. Additionally, knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable, as it will facilitate better engagement with local stakeholders and enhance the adviser's ability to navigate the cultural and linguistic landscape of Yemen.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Sana'a, Yemen, and is offered as a fixed-term contract for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal based on performance, availability of funds, and the ongoing need for the position. The role may require travel of up to 40% within the areas of implementation in Yemen. The salary and benefits are aligned with grade 8 on NRC's salary scale, which includes accompanying terms and conditions. NRC is an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and inclusion, and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.