Job opening for a Government Liaison Adviser at Norwegian Refugee Council in Borno state

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The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization with 60 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life for refugees and internally displaced people. NRC advocates for the rights of displaced populations and offers assistance within the shelter, emergency food security, and water, sanitation and hygiene sectors.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Government Liaison Adviser - Maiduguri (NIF)

Webcruiter ID: 4221584153
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time
Percentage of full-time: 100
Reports To: The NIF Deputy Director NE

Summary

• INGO Forum in partnership with NRC is looking for a Government Liaison Adviser for Maiduguri Country Office, in Northern Nigeria. The purpose of the Government Liaison Adviser position is to promote efforts humanitarian coordination and support the day-to-day implementation of the Nigeria INGO Forum (NIF) project as well as humanitarian access efforts
• NRC initiated country operations in Nigeria in June 2015, in order to respond to the critical and increasing needs in the country. NRC currently has a full team based in Maiduguri and a coordination office in Abuja.
• NRC is currently providing services across various sectors namely; Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFI); Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (WASH); Food Security; and Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) in order to address identified humanitarian needs.
• The INGO Forum in Nigeria was formed in late 2014 to develop a collaborative platform for effective and principled INGO interaction, engagement and coordination for humanitarian, recovery and development interventions in Nigeria.
• Since inception, the INGO Forum has become a critical platform for ensuring effective information sharing and analysis; leadership on advocacy and policy engagement; and liaison with government/donor/UN engagement and engagement ensuring the perspectives of INGOs and affected populations are ultimately included in decision-making processes.
• The INGO Forum is governed by a core membership of 41 members (and 6 observers) with new member applications pending approval on a regular basis, The INGO Forum is governed by an elected Steering Committee of five Country Directors and a Chair that works alongside a full-term Secretariat. Since March 2017, the INGO Forum is administratively hosted by NRC in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja as well as Maiduguri.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Adherence with NRC policies, tools, handbooks, and guidelines
• Stay abreast of political developments and humanitarian trends in Nigeria, with an emphasis on the humanitarian crisis in the NE, informing NIF members where relevant.
• Ensuring sufficient capacity and knowledge to support policy analysis and strategic planning around humanitarian architecture and operational issues.
• Carry out regular stakeholders’ engagement training and contribute to donor reports on outcomes and output of activities.
• Collaborate with the NIF Deputy Director to represent NIF at meetings with external engagement targets.
• Support state representatives in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States to identify opportunities for engagement with authorities on thematic issues
• Stemming from priorities identified by NIF membership, the post holder is responsible for developing, updating and implementing NIF influence and negotiation strategy on behalf of/in collaboration with the NIF membership.
• Lead the process of drafting NIF positions and related negotiation strategies based on priorities identified by NIF members
• Work with the Deputy Director to strengthen engagement with Government entities in the northeast Nigeria e.g, Federal and State Inland Revenue, Nigeria Immigration
• Service, EFCC, SEMA, Ministry of RRR, BAY States coordinating agencies for humanitarian and development activities, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and other Nigerian government structures as needed.
• Support overall Forum engagement efforts through developing and facilitating relevant influencing products including policy briefs, briefing notes, position papers, and background papers. Lead the process as appropriate and get member consensus for sign-on
• Foster relationships with political stakeholders, raise awareness about the NIF Influencing and negotiation strategy and messages among political stakeholders
• Ensure more effective and consistent communication and engagement with the UN, local authorities, civil society, donors, embassies and other stakeholders
• Organize and facilitate NIF lobby subcommittee meetings in the north-east Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
• Provide support and advisory to the NIF access team in government engagement for access advocacy and operational related tasks
• Organize and facilitate workshops and other capacity development, as necessary.
• Ensure INGO Forum government influencing and negotiation strategy is updated, is practical and actioned by Forum members

Qualifications

• Experience working with government institutions in northeast Nigeria
• Strong influential relationship with the Nigerian government and other stakeholders in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states that can yield positive results
• University degree in conflict and development, international relations, international humanitarian law or related technical field.
• Experience with developing and implementing Access and AAP related strategic objectives
• Knowledge of the humanitarian coordination system and the mandates of the actors involved.
• Good knowledge of the security environment and economic, socio-political dynamics in North-East Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel region in general
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Commitment to and understanding of international humanitarian standards and principles.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and often demanding environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and experience in humanitarian setting.

Personal Qualities:

• Planning and delivering results
• Empowering and building trust
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Handling an insecure environment
• A good sense of humour is an asset.