Humanitarian Reporting Analyst

Details

Mission and objectives

The humanitarian crisis in Somalia is among the most complex and long-standing in the world. Cycles of internal conflict and widespread violence have fragmented the country, undermine development efforts and perpetuate high levels of humanitarian needs and protection concerns. These are further exacerbated by increasingly frequent and intense natural disasters. Some 5.9 million people need humanitarian assistance, of whom 2.9 million are internally displaced persons (IDPs). Many IDPs have been displaced from their homes for decades. They are marginalized and at risk of forced evictions, discrimination and pervasive gender-based violence (GbV). Female-headed households within internally displaced communities are particularly exposed to high risks of sexual exploitation and abuse, with limited recourse to due process and psycho-social support. Conflict and insecurity in southern and central Somalia significantly increased during the first quarter of 2021, driving cycles of displacement, disruptions to livelihood activities, and constraints on trade and humanitarian access. More than 492,000 people were displaced across the country between January and June 2021, primarily due to conflict (73 per cent). The increase in conflict during this period is attributed to both increased insurgent activity and political instability; the relationship and tensions between the Federal Government and Federal Member States are increasingly driving insecurity and needs. OCHA Somalia continues to advocate for enhanced collaboration with development and stability actors with a view to break the cycle of crises and end humanitarian needs. However, given the volatile political context and the election process, risks related to COVID-19 and the gradual withdrawal of the African Union Mission, as well as uncertainty regarding the level of engagement of development and resilience actors in Somalia, it is unlikely that humanitarian needs will substantially decrease in the coming years.

Context

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has mobilized and coordinated humanitarian efforts in Somalia since 1999 and aims to ensure a well-coordinated, effective and principled inter-agency humanitarian response. By providing a co-herent approach to humanitarian action in Somalia, OCHA helps to avoid duplication of aid response and maximize resources. OCHA has an office in Nairobi and Mogadishu and sub-offices in Baidoa, Bossaso, Dhobley, Doolow, Gaalkacyo, Garowe and Hargeysa. It is also present in Belet Weyne and Kismayo. The annual budget for OCHA Somalia for 2016 is US$10.1 million. OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat and is responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. The situation in Somalia remains fragile with continued political instability, climatic variability, and lack of basic social services. In 2017, drought impacted Somalia leaving the country on the verge of a famine. OCHA's role is to coordinate effective and principled inter-agency hu-manitarian response and ensure that relief assistance reaches the people who need it in a timely manner. In line with OCHA's global mission, OCHA Somalia continues to: • Advocate for access to basic services, especially water, sanitation, education and health for vulnerable communities, including the collection, analysis and dissemination of information to humanitarian partners, and negotiation of access. • Support the government efforts and humanitarian organizations in seeking durable solutions for internally displaced and return. • Support Government efforts in dealing with the ongoing drought and building the capacity of Government focal points on humanitarian issues • Coordinate the implementation of humanitarian response in Somalia with UN agencies and programmes, national and international NGOs and local authorities/communities as appropriate, with focus on strengthening the cluster approach. Under the overall guidance of the Head of Communications Unit, the UNV Humanitarian Reporting Analyst will play a key role in ensuring the primacy objectives of OCHA Somalia are met. The Humanitarian Reporting Analyst will support OCHA Somalia to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. The position is particularly critical given the current drought emergency that requires sustained advocacy and resource mobilization to ensure that the response is scaled up and the threat of famine completely averted.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Communications for OCHA Somalia, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Under the leadership of the head of communication, and in consultation with Field Coordination, ISWG, and Coordination units, assists in the design and preparation of information and analysis on humanitarian, disaster, emergency relief, and related issues. • Monitors research, analyzes, and presents information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues, including trends in conflict, humanitarian needs, and humanitarian response in the region, and brings together key stakeholders to inform analysis, as re-quired. • Leads the process of or substantially contributes to the preparation of various written documents, e.g. draft sections of OCHA internal and external information products (such as Situation Reports or Humanitarian Bulletins), studies, background papers, policy guidelines, or related documents. • Develops and maintains reference/resource information on specific topics or policy-related issues; responds to various inquiries and information requests internally and externally. • Assists in the production of appeals for international assistance, including through the compilation of relevant information and analysis on the humanitarian situation and response in Somalia. • Assists in the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops, etc. with other agencies and partners to facilitate exchanges of professional expertise and views on specific humanitarian-related subjects/issues, including analysis of the situation in Somalia; serves as a reporter to such events. • Maintains awareness and analysis of current humanitarian affairs and related issues, including relevant political, policy, and gender considerations or other developments in the specific subject areas, country, or region concerned. • Serves as the primary focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc., to ensure appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues • Builds and maintains relationships with UN agencies, NGOs, and government officials to ensure effective exchange and dissemination of reports and all relevant information. • Performs other duties as assigned.