Humanitarian Assistance Specialist at Cowater International

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

• Cowater International, through its FSSP, is supporting the Canadian High Commission to recruit a Humanitarian Assistance Specialist. The Specialist will play a critical role in building and maintaining Canada’s awareness of the humanitarian situation in Somalia and Kenya (as well as Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, as required) and supporting the efficient and effective management of Canadian funded humanitarian assistance in Kenya and Somalia in line with relevant Canadian policies and objectives. This position will require an in-depth knowledge and understanding of humanitarian assistance issues in Somalia and Kenya, including the role of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus in protracted crises; the increasing recurrence of climate change-related crises; Internally Displaced People and refugee migration patterns in Somalia, Kenya, and the broader Horn of Africa region; gender-responsive humanitarian actions; and the UN humanitarian architecture and processes. The Humanitarian Specialist will work closely with GAC staff, partner organizations, government agencies, and local communities to promote gender-responsive actions and solutions in line with humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law.

Responsibilities:

Monitoring Canadian-funded humanitarian programmes and projects in Somalia and Kenya:

• Build, contribute to and participate in the delivery of strategic monitoring plans based on Canada’s portfolio of humanitarian assistance in Somalia and Kenya, bearing in mind costs, security risks, value for money, and the need for a feminist approach.
• Monitor and ensure partner alignment with Canadian policies and objectives, as well as humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law.
• Regularly assess the risks faced by Canadian-funded humanitarian programmes and projects and propose mitigation measures.
• Advise GAC on best practices for maximizing humanitarian impact, including by building resilience through humanitarian-development-peace and security nexus approaches.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with GAC staff, partner organizations, likeminded donors, local communities, and government agencies to address humanitarian concerns and foster inclusive and gender-sensitive responses.
• Participate in and provide guidance on consultations and engagement sessions on key humanitarian assistance issues for Somalia and Kenya, including effective actions at the humanitarian-development-peace nexus; the growing role of climate change in driving humanitarian crises; and IDP and refugee migration patterns/incentives in Somalia, Kenya, and the broader Horn of Africa region.
• Identify capacity gaps and opportunities for GAC, partner organizations, local communities, and government agencies’ engagement in humanitarian-related fora.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Draft, review and/or provide input on project documents, reports, and proposals, as requested.
• Prepare and submit regular reports, including on the humanitarian situation in Somalia and Kenya, relevant funding appeals and relevant global/UN decisions.
• Maintain accurate records of key contacts, reports, and other aspects as required.
• Draft reports on findings from project site visits.

Capacity Building:

• Provide training, build awareness, share best practices with GAC staff, partner organizations, local communities, and government agencies.
• Stay informed about emerging humanitarian-related issues at the global, regional, and national levels, as relevant to Canadian-funded humanitarian assistance in Somalia and Kenya and disseminate relevant information to GAC.

Humanitarian Innovation:

• Identify opportunities to increase Canada’s leadership in Somalia and Kenya vis a vis the Global Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies.
• Research and propose innovative solutions for Canada to work with local and national women’s groups to involve women and girls in program design, delivery, and monitoring of humanitarian initiatives.
• Research and propose ways in which Canada can become more effectively engaged at the humanitarian-development-peace and security nexus to advance durable solutions to protracted humanitarian crises.
• Identify opportunities to showcase and leverage Canada-funded activities, results, and innovations.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in development, social science, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in managing or advising on humanitarian assistance, previous experience working with the UN, or a country donor is preferred.

Qualifications:

• Thorough understanding of the Somali and Kenyan humanitarian context, understanding of the broader humanitarian context in the Horn of Africa is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Canadian humanitarian assistance legislation and policies
• Experience and knowledge of global humanitarian commitments, humanitarian principles, and international humanitarian law.
• Knowledge and experience on gender-responsive approaches to humanitarian assistance and effective approaches at the humanitarian-development-peace and security nexus.
• Proficiency in analyzing humanitarian assistance data.
• Excellent drafting and analytical skills with demonstrative ability to draft quality reports and correspondence.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of the local culture in Somalia and Kenya.
• Ability to build positive relationships with stakeholders and local communities.
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in challenging environments.
• Ability to travel to throughout Kenya and Somalia.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities, as well as the ability to meet tight deadlines as required.

The following skills and experience will be an asset:

• Building partnerships with governments, donors and civil society organizations internationally and in the field.