With expertise in the humanitarian, development and peace building sectors, we collaborate with local, national and international partners on finding solutions that meet the needs of people at risk.

We do this by:

• Supporting humanitarian, development and peace building initiatives that protect and empower people
• Improving impact at the global and local level through joint projects with partners and stakeholders
• Providing expertise and developing capacity that enable partners to meet the needs of people in fragile situations and crises
• Strengthening the global system that we are part of through support for leadership, coordination and policy development
• Building bridges between the humanitarian, development and peace building sectors

We are seeking to assign an Access Officer to OCHA DRC in Goma to work as the primary focal point on protection of civilians (PoC) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL). This officer will support OCHA and humanitarian partners on their engagement with armed actors, including advising on OCHAs engagement related to PoC and IHL with MONUSCO, FARDC and other national security forces, SAMIDRC, PMSCs, NSAGs and other foreign military.

Are you experienced in access negotiations, mediation, engagement with armed actors, protection of civilians, IHL and speak French? If yes, the proactive protection team wants you!  The assignments is for an initial 12 months, with start date February 2025.

BACKGROUND 

The DRC is the second largest internal displacement crisis in Africa after Sudan, with 6.3 million people displaced as of August 2024. Expansion of non-state armed groups into new areas in 2024, illegal exploitation of natural resources, weak state authority as well as regional dimension continues to cause suffering and exacerbate socio-economic tensions. Similarly, many other conflicts are emerging and taking root in other parts of the country due to the lack of adequate funding and response and the concentration of efforts in the east of the country. Political commitment to resolving the conflict remains limited. The repercussions on the affected populations are reflected in the numerous internal displacements and other violations and abuses of their rights, as well as in the severity of the protection risks, they face. As of August 2024, more than 300 incidents involving humanitarian workers including nine deaths have been recorded.

A vast variety of armed actors operate in eastern and western DRC, and systematic engagement by OCHA remains challenging due to limited human resources capacity. As of the end of 2024 OCHA maintains contact and advocates for humanitarian access, PoC and respect of IHL with Congolese security forces (military, PNC, ANR), MONUSCO, the SADC mission in DRC (SAMIDRC), at least one Private Military Security Company contracted by the Congolese military, contingents of the Ugandan and Burundian military deployed on a bilateral basis, and around 130 non-state armed groups. OCHA DRC is requesting the deployment of an Access/CMCoord officer with a strong protection and IHL background to strengthen and improve existing access coordination mechanisms, integrate PoC and IHL in all advocacy efforts and humanitarian negotiations, support the elaboration of codes of conduct and operational guidance by the HCT, and overall contribute to a better respect of IHL by all armed actors. OCHA DRC would like to take this opportunity and reinforce its team and IHL, PoC and engagement with nonstate armed groups capacity.

 The Access Officer will be expected to: 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Within the OCHA DRC Access and CMCoord Unit, act as primary focal point on protection of civilians (PoC) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Ensure protection mainstreaming in all access and CMCoord activities conducted by OCHA DRC.
• Support OCHA’s engagement related to PoC and IHL with MONUSCO, FARDC and other national security forces, SAMIDRC, PMSCs, NSAGs and other foreign military.
• Support access advocacy initiative on issues impacting humanitarian needs and response efforts through liaison with humanitarian partners, and stakeholders.
• Support negotiations with relevant stakeholders to establish/maintain humanitarian access and resolve any arising constraints, while working to promote a principled, coordinated approach to access.
• Promote respect of IHL by all armed actors through the design and implementation of capacity building plans, in coordination with other key actors (MONUSCO, ICRC, Geneva Call,…)
• Support access coordination mechanisms at national and provincial level through provision of policy guidance, support to drafting of codes of conducts and implementation of the HCT Access Strategy and Access Working Groups workplans, especially on aspects linked to PoC and respect of IHL.
• Ensure adequate liaison between the national and provincial Access Working Groups (Access Forum) and relevant humanitarian and non-humanitarian coordination mechanisms having a focus on PoC (Protection Cluster and sub-clusters, AAP Working Group, MONUSCO SMGP/PWG/SMGP-Ps, Durable Solutions Working Group, Mine action, etc…).
• Review and provide advice on policy issues related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
• Contribute to OCHA’s reporting on protection of civilians and humanitarian access. Draft and prepare regular access papers/reports highlighting relevant policy and operational factors affecting access, the humanitarian situation, and response efforts.

Expected outcome of the deployment:

• Full integration of PoC and IHL in workplan and activities of the OCHA DRC Access & CMCoord Unit.
• Capacity-building OCHA access and CMCoord staff on PoC and IHL.
• Expansion IHL dissemination to armed parties, in particular NSAGs.
• Development of stronger and permanent linkages between access, AAP and protection coordination mechanisms.
• Production of HCT guidance notes and codes of conduct focusing on humanitarian access, integrating PoC and IHL considerations.

You are encouraged to read the full Terms of Reference before applying

To excel in this role, candidates should possess the following qualifications and skills:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Master’s in a related field (protection, political science, international affairs, humanitarian action, social work, human rights, conflict studies or related degree preferred) with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in Humanitarian assistance. OR
• Bachelor’s degree with 7 additional years of experience may be accepted.

Desired work experience:

• Minimum 5 years in humanitarian affairs or related fields, with at least five years of international field experience. Experience in the UN system, in humanitarian coordination and cluster system as well as the localization agenda is desirable.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency in written and spoken English and French is required.

The main competencies of a NORCAP Expert:

• Building working relationships
• Planning and organising
• Adaptability
• Resilience

WHAT WE OFFER

• Rewarding work for a renowned global organisation
• Access to a network of humanitarian, peace, and development professionals
• A dedicated Staff Care Unit

HOW TO APPLY

• When submitting your application, kindly register in English your full employment history and education. Please include your full name as written in your passport. Uploaded CVs alone will not be reviewed.
• NORCAP values diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
• NORCAP reserves the right to conduct a full background check on shortlisted candidates .
• Approved Health Certificate will be required prior to contract commencement and assignment.
• Feedback will be given to all applicants within four weeks after the closing of this advertisement.
• Apply before 09th February 2025, 23.59 PM (Oslo time)