Forum Coordinator Cameroon

Background

The International Humanitarian NGO Forum in Cameroon, codenamed The Coordination of Humanitarian International Non-Governmental Organizations (CHINGO) has been active since 2019. It was formalized to enable a collaborative platform for effective and principled iNGO interaction, engagement, advocacy and coordination of humanitarian plus early recovery interventions in Cameroon. Presently, CHINGO has a core membership of 20 members (and 3 observers) and is 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. CHINGO is governed by an elected Steering Committee of 5 Country Directors and is administratively hosted by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

The INGO Forum (CHINGO) Coordinator will provide support to the member organizations supporting humanitarian efforts in Cameroon through high quality information exchange, coordination, multi-stakeholder engagement, facilitating effective iNGO representation in decision-making mechanisms, and advocacy efforts.

Duties and responsibilities

Coordination and Representation

• With the support of the Chair of the Steering Committee, enable INGOs to coordinate at strategic and operational level by facilitating high quality, regular meetings of Country Directors, Area Managers, thematic working groups (Advocacy, Programme, Administration/support issues). Ensure drafting of relevant agenda, timely minutes of meetings and follow up on action points.
• Support field coordination of INGOs through facilitation of regular meetings between Area Managers in the different regions affected by humanitarian crisis
• Facilitate effective information flow between field-level realities and capital-level coordination in Yaounde
• Participate in important policy and planning processes underway at the UN level that requires field level operational inputs from INGOs e.g. Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP)
• Provide a regular and reliable conduit for the UN, Government, donor representatives and other stakeholders to communicate and coordinate with NGOs
• Meet regularly with governmental stakeholders, organize workshop on key thematic areas to inform and promote INGOs operations and humanitarian principles
• Increase and enhance INGO engagement with national NGOs and civil society organizations to identify potential joint actions.
• Actively represent INGO Forum members in senior humanitarian and development platforms e.g. HCT, ISWG, Access Working Group, COVID-19 Taskforce, HDP Nexus Taskforce, and ensure the dissemination of high quality written feedback.
• Regularly network and represent the INGO community at high-level fora and bilateral meetings including with UN, Donors, Member States, government, stakeholders and Civil Society Organizations.
• Work effectively with delegated representatives of the INGO Forum (Steering Committee and INGO representatives in the HCT) and ensure accountability to members.
• Represent INGO Forum members at national, regional, global meetings and raise members’ advocacy messages and key priorities by participating in high level panel discussions, round tables etc.

Advocacy

• Convene, draft agenda and meetings of Advocacy Working Group Meetings
• Lead in drafting humanitarian updates, policy briefs, and talking points on the humanitarian situation, and seeking inputs from CHINGO members, in line with collective views of INGO Forum members on topics of concern.
• Collect, analyze and share information from members to develop evidence-based advocacy
• Stay informed and engaged on opportunities to further advocacy objectives
• Liaise with other INGO forum to share information and develop joint positions on common critical issues.
• Lead in drafting Newsletters to inform partners and wider audience on INGOs operations in Cameroon

Information Sharing, Analysis and capacity building

• Acting as focal point for information/experience sharing with and among NGOs on relevant issues including forum membership, contact lists and mailing lists
• Identify strategies to support iNGOs to work collaboratively and in a principled manner that places the needs and interests of affected populations at the center
• Stay informed about political, humanitarian and security contexts, while providing structured updates to CHINGO Members
• Ensure timely response to requests for help and information from member organizations, non-member organizations and other stakeholders, such as donors, governments and UN agencies.
• Share quality minutes of a wide range of meetings on humanitarian and development issues pertaining to INGOs mandate and operations in Cameroon
• Support analysis and research work into prevailing humanitarian and development issues in Cameroon
• Organize and deliver trainings for INGOs staff and their partners on relevant identified topics (IHL, humanitarian access, humanitarian principles etc.)

Project Management and Human Resources

• Ensure high quality INGO Forum donor reporting and proposal development, as well as donor liaison on key areas of progress in collaboration with the Chair and Host Agency.
• Report back to Steering Committee on project activity progress, expenditure and plans.
• Build and maintain a productive relationship with the Host Agency (CD, programme and support departments).
• Manage CHINGO programme officer including regular performance appraisals
• Conduct annual satisfaction surveys about the activities of the forum secretariat
• Organize annual forum retreat and update forum strategy accordingly
• Ensure smooth running of the governance model of the INGO Forum and where required make recommendations for changes.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in law, political science, international relations, journalism, social sciences, international development or related technical field or undergraduate degree with significant field experience in complex humanitarian contexts
• Demonstrated experience of 5-7 years in managing humanitarian emergency responses in conflict contexts;
• Demonstrated experience of coordination in complex emergencies and/or active engagement in high level humanitarian coordination structures (eg. as member on HCT);
• Knowledge and understanding of key thematic priority areas including access, protection, humanitarian aid architecture in conflict settings, and responses to acute and protracted crises;
• Proven relationship building skills and ability to facilitate common space between disparate views and agendas;
• Experience in developing advocacy strategies and stakeholder maps;
• Excellent writing, editing and analytical skills and ability to formulate well-targeted strategic documents;
• Written and spoken fluency in both French and English;
• Prior experience in managing INGO Consortia/fora desirable.

Other competencies:

• Managing resources to optimize results
• Managing performance and development
• Empowering and building trust
• Strategic thinking
• Analyzing

What We Offer

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.

• Commencement: mid-June 2022; however, this position is contingent to confirmation of funding
• Contract: 12 months
• Salary/benefits: According to NRC’s general directions and free housing of moderate standard. Grade: 8 in NRC’s grade structure.
• Duty station: Yaoundé with 30% travel to all areas of humanitarian response in Cameroon.
• Designation of duty station: Family duty station (no accompanied benefits)
• Approved health certificate will be requested before contract start.

Find the full job description here.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 08/03/2022