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Position Title: Access Working Group Co-Lead
Location: Bamako
Country: Mali
Deadline Date: 28/10/2024

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that has been operational in Mali since 201

• With a Coordination office located in Bamako and additional area offices in both the central and northern regions of Mali, NRC is dedicated to addressing the needs of populations affected by conflict and displacement. The organization implements various programs focusing on Education, Shelter, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Rapid Response Mechanisms (RRM), Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Security" id="link" class="link">Food Security and Livelihoods, and Protection from Violence. NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, employing approximately 15,000 staff members who provide life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people each year. The organization's mission is to help people forced to flee, ensuring their rights are defended and their needs are met in crises where others cannot reach them.

Job Overview:
The Access Working Group Co-Lead will play a pivotal role in co-chairing Mali's Access Working Group alongside OCHA (the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs). This position is crucial for informing and briefing humanitarian organizations and the NGO forum on issues and barriers related to Humanitarian Access. The Co-Lead will be responsible for collecting information from humanitarian actors to inform the Access Working Group (AWG). The role requires significant collaboration with various working group members to enhance the collective Humanitarian Response in Mali, particularly in overcoming access barriers that hinder the delivery of principled and quality assistance to vulnerable populations in hard-to-reach areas. The Co-Lead will also leverage existing initiatives, research results, and tools to make them accessible to member organizations, thereby driving Collective Action and improving humanitarian access.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Access Working Group Co-Lead will be responsible for the following duties:

• Co-chair the Access Working Group alongside OCHA, providing leadership and strategic direction.
• Implement the AWG work plan by mobilizing coalitions of member organizations to respond to specific activities or emerging needs.
• Brief humanitarian organizations and NGO coordination groups on access issues and constraints.
• Serve as a key interlocutor, formulating recommendations on access for the AWG in collaboration with the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and other coordination forums.
• Promote membership and active participation in the AWG-Mali among humanitarian organizations, particularly national NGOs (NNGOs).
• Prepare and facilitate monthly and ad-hoc AWG-Mali meetings, including agenda preparation, chairing, and follow-up.
• Build the capacity of humanitarian actors, especially NNGOs, on humanitarian access, negotiations, and principles.
• Foster collaboration among humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent and principled approach to humanitarian access.
• Collect qualitative and quantitative data on access and constraints, drafting analyses and briefing papers for advocacy at both country and regional levels. 1
• Support the rollout of the NRC access monitoring tool with NGO partners. 1
• Network actively with AWG members to ensure the working group meets their needs and maintains active participation.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Access Working Group Co-Lead position should possess the following qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in humanitarian work, particularly in conflict or post-conflict environments.
• A Master's Degree in a related field, or a Bachelor's Degree with equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in humanitarian programming and access issues.
• Knowledge of the central Sahel region and its humanitarian context.
• A strong understanding of humanitarian principles and their operationalization within humanitarian responses.
• Fluency in French, both written and verbal, is mandatory.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills.
• Experience leading or contributing to coordination forums is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with NGOs and the UN system is advantageous. 1
• Fluency in English is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master's Degree in a relevant field. Alternatively, a Bachelor's Degree combined with equivalent work experience will also be accepted. The educational background should ideally include studies related to humanitarian work, International Relations, social sciences, or a similar discipline that equips the candidate with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate complex humanitarian environments.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in humanitarian work, particularly in conflict or post-conflict settings. This experience should include direct involvement in humanitarian programming and a demonstrated understanding of humanitarian access issues. Familiarity with the central Sahel region and its unique challenges will be beneficial. Experience in leading coordination forums and working with NGOs and the UN system will also be considered advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication in Mali. Candidates should possess strong written and verbal communication skills in French. Additionally, fluency in English is considered a valuable asset, as it may facilitate communication with international partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a contract duration of 12 months and is classified as Grade 8 in the NRC scale. The location of the job is in Bamako, Mali. This role provides an opportunity to align one's career with a compelling humanitarian cause and to collaborate with professionals who are leaders in their respective fields. NRC encourages female candidates to apply, promoting a work culture that empowers all employees to share ideas and take responsibility. The organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring a supportive environment for all staff.