Access Working Group Co-Lead Niger (Local hire) Full Time

Context

Since the beginning of 2022, the security situation in Niger remains volatile. Humanitarian access in some areas is one of the mains challenges in the implementation of humanitarian responses in Niger. This can be seen in a number of regions with significant humanitarian needs, including the Tillaberi, Tahoua, Maradi and Diffa regions. The presence of multiple armed actors has contributed to restricting humanitarian space. Faced with such a situation, strengthening humanitarian coordination to promote access is essential. This is one of the reasons for the establishment of the Access Working Group (AWG/Access) in Niger, whose objective is to contribute to a more effective and coordinated humanitarian response, to support the efforts of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and other partners in the implementation and monitoring of the HCT access strategy and action plan and to analyse access constraints with a view to resolve the bottlenecks. The AWG is thus an analytical and advisory body to improve humanitarian access in the long term. NRC, as an active member of this body, wishes to strengthen its participation by providing a dedicated staff to act as co-lead alongside OCHA.

What you will do:

The Access Working Group Co-Lead is responsible for co-chairing Niger’s Access Working Group alongside OCHA, contributing to inform and brief humanitarian organizations and fora (notably the NGO coordination groups) on humanitarian access issues and barriers, and collecting information from humanitarian actors to inform the AWG. While the position is hosted by NRC, it is expected that the AWG Co-Lead will spend significant amounts of time in the offices of working group members in a spirit of improved collaboration and aiming at collective outcomes.

The Access Working Group Co-Lead is expected to support collective action to overcome humanitarian access barriers impeding the delivery of principled and quality assistance to populations in areas with limited access, and in response to new emergencies. In addition, s/he will capitalize on existing initiatives, research results and available tools by making them accessible to member organizations of the working group.

Strategy Development & Implementation

• Provide support on periodic access strategy development processes, ensuring AWG members’ perspectives and aspirations are represented in the strategy and work-plan.
• Contribute to the collection of information from humanitarian actors, notably NNGOs, to inform the AWG-Lead and guide the implementation of the work-plan which could include activities related to:
  • Access severity mapping
  • Incident reporting and monitoring
  • Stakeholder mapping and analysis
  • Bureaucratic constraints and counter terrorism measures
  • Negotiations and operational dilemmas
  • Policy development
  • Humanitarian advocacy
  • Training

Management & capacity building

• Support the preparation and facilitation of monthly and ad-hoc AWG-Niger meetings, including preparation of the agenda, co-chairing, taking minutes and follow-up of action points.
• Support the establishment of temporary sub-working groups/task forces to work on specific activities.
• Potentially support the establishment of regional AWGs (AWG-R).
• Contribute to the organisation and delivery of access training and workshops, within the humanitarian community or with external stakeholders, according to the availability of resources.
• Support and contribute to the building of the capacity of NNGOs on access through specific activities/initiatives.

Access analysis and humanitarian advocacy

• Support the roll out of the NRC access monitoring tool, internally but also with NGO partners (INGOs and NNGOs), to inform programmes decision-making as well as advocacy at the country (AWG, GTH-OIREN Advocacy Technical Group (GtP), HCT among others) and regional level (Access Task Force, regional IASC among others).
• Regularly produce analyses/briefing notes, based on quantitative and qualitative data collected and additional analyses
  • Draft the bi-monthly access reports produced based on NRC access monitoring tool
  • Produce thematic briefing notes upon request from GTA, GTH, HCT for several audiences
  • Contribute to regional analyses and advocacy notes in collaboration with NRC regional access adviser and regional head of advocacy, or as part of an initiative planned by the regional taskforce on access
  • If relevant, contribute to NRC global research or analysis efforts and initiatives

Networking & Coordination

• Reach out and build synergies with the existing actors and fora – if possible – within the humanitarian environment (OIREN/GTH, ICCG, clusters but not only) to ensure the AWG-Niger is a relevant body within the broader humanitarian response and its analyses are nourished by programmatic perspectives and operational priorities. This coordination would aim to ensure the AWG’s priorities are addressing the most relevant gaps and issues for the humanitarian community, that work is not being duplicated, and that the work of other mechanisms is informed and shaped by humanitarian access priorities identified by the AWG;
• Network actively with members of the AWG, both working level representatives and country director/head of mission level officials to help ensure the working group is attune to members’ needs and in turn, that it has willing and active member organisations.
• Actively network with key stakeholders (including donors, Country Directors of INGOs and UN agencies, authorities if validated by the CD, etc.) within and outside the humanitarian sector to ensure that the contribution of the AWG is known and relevant.
• Co-represent AWG-Niger in the meetings of the regional Task Force on Access.

What we are looking for:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in humanitarian work in conflict/post-conflict environments/volatile contextswith a Master’s Degree in related field (or bachelor’s with equivalent work experience)
• Demonstrated experience in humanitarian programming and in the domain of humanitarian access
• Demonstrated experience in and/or knowledge of the Sahel region is a strong asset
• Strong understanding of humanitarian principles and how to operationalize them within a humanitarian response, including humanitarian access dilemmas
• Fluency French, both written and verbal
• Demonstrated excellent writing and analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, including capability to network with stakeholders within and outside the humanitarian environment
• Empowering and building trust
• Dynamism and capacity to quickly react to work-related challenges and proactively propose solutions
• Flexibility and creativity to adapt to a complex and evolving working environment.
• Positive attitude towards working with several stakeholders in a coordination environment, collaborative leadership
• Managing resources to optimize results
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills
• Ability and willingness to work and live under pressure in insecure environments
• Experience leading or contributing to coordination forums would be a strong asset
• Experience with NGOs and the UN system would be an asset
• Fluency in English would be an asset

Please find the full job description here.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility. At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Please note for this role, applicants must be legally eligible to work in Niger. We are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 8/4/2025

What we offer:

1. Contract of 12 months
2. Grade 8 in NRC scale
3. Location: Niamey
4. An opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause
5. A chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Important information about the application process

• Internal candidates only: please click on the suitcase icon labelled “I am an employee” to be redirected to NRC’s internal careers site.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English or in French for french speaking countries, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email [email protected] with the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts
• join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility
• be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity

Learn more about NRC

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