General
Description of assignment title: GBV Programming Specialist
Assignment country: Nigeria
Expected start date: 05/01/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Host entity: UNFPA
Type: Onsite
Duration: 8 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Maiduguri
Details
Mission and objectives
Established in 1973, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Nigeria is located in the Federal Capital territory of Abuja, with four sub-offices, to respond to population issues throughout the six geo-political zones of the country: The North-West, North- East, North-Central, South-West, South-East and South-South. Currently in its 8th Country Programme (2018-2022), UNFPA Nigeria operations prioritize the humanitarian-peace-development nexus approach, particularly in addressing the subsisting crisis in the Northeast region of the country. In addition to the humanitarian support provided to the three worst affected states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa in the Northeast, UNFPA Nigeria supports implementation of the country’s development plans in 15 focal states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, and Oyo as well as at the Federal level. However, it is pertinent to note that the Reproductive Health Commodities supply programme of UNFPA covers all the 36 States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Consistent with the three organization-wide objectives to end preventable maternal mortality, end unmet need for family planning and end gender-based violence and harmful practices, UNFPA Nigeria also partners with non-government organizations including faith based, women and youth organizations, other UN agencies and major donors to meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups in the country including women, adolescents, and youths, as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs). The organizational goals call on holistic programming centered on building the capacity of national health systems and social structures in order to administer quality services around sexual reproductive health (SRH), family planning and Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention, mitigation and response.
Context
People affected by humanitarian crises, particularly those displaced and/or living in camps and camp-like settings, are often faced with specific challenges and vulnerabilities that must be taken into consideration when planning for readiness and response operations for the COVID-19 outbreak. They are frequently neglected, stigmatized, and may face difficulties in accessing health services that are otherwise available to the general population. It is of extreme importance from a protection, human-rights and public health perspectives, that people affected by humanitarian crises are included in all COVID-19 outbreak readiness and response strategies, plan and operations. There is a strong public health rationale to extend all measures to everyone, regardless of status and ensuring inclusiveness. The impact of the humanitarian crisis in the conflict affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY states) of Nigeria presents one of the greatest vulnerabilities to the spread of COVID-19. The situation is a complex protracted crisis with huge developmental needs, damaged infrastructure, lack of governance and rule of law outside Maiduguri and major garrison towns. The most vulnerable population groups are children, women, elderly and people with chronic medical conditions. The biggest fear is the effects on the decrease immunity associated with diseases and risks typical of humanitarian contexts such as malnutrition, measles, malaria, HIV. Maiduguri hub the international airport linked to Lagos and Abuja. Lagos is a hotspot State of COVID-19. Borno has a weak health system. The State has 9 international land borders connections with 3 countries, Cameroon being an affected country also cases reported from Chad. The humanitarian situation is expected to worsen due to COVID 19, particularly due ongoing stressors experienced by the health system including disrupted health system in many inaccessible LGAs, non-functional health facilities, lack of health care staff, ove
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Humanitarian Coordinator or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Gender Based Violence Specialist : will be based in Maiduguri to provide oversight and technical leadership to Gender based violence programs in the BAY State of Nigeria. The incumbent is expected to support quality and timely implementation of UNFPA GBViE programme. GBV programming in humanitarian emergencies is multi-sectoral and involves organizations and actors from the displaced and host communities, NGO and government implementing partners, UN agencies, and other national and international organizations that engage in comprehensive prevention and response initiatives. Key duties include: assessment and planning; partnership development; training and sensitization; and monitoring and evaluation. Planning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of GBV initiatives will be conducted through the use of available global guidelines and standards, and will be in line with the Interagency Minimum Standards for Addressing GBV in Emergencies and the GBViE Coordination Handbook. Programme Development and Implementation Conduct field assessments and/ or situational analyses to determine needs and gaps for GBV prevention and response. Where possible, ensure that GBV issues are integrated into others’ assessments. Assessments should consider the needs of women, girls, boys and men separately and should focus on identifying gaps and trends to improve programming. Develop with colleagues and implementing partners if appropriate GBV specific prevention and response interventions in line with UNFPA minimum Standards for prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies. In emergencies, these should particularly focus on service delivery and protection Orient and if necessary conduct training UNFPA staff, implementing partners, and national authorities in planning and implementing GBV programmes related to IDPs/retu
Eligibility criteria
Age: 27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
5 years of experience in addressing GBV at the international level; experience in this field in a humanitarian context an asset. Demonstrated leadership and management experience within a multinational and multicultural environment. Proved experience in survivors-centred approach Direct experience providing support to GBV survivors an asset.
Area(s) of expertise
Development programmes
Driving license
–
Languages
Hausa, Level: Working knowledge, Required English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in Advanced degree with specialization in areas such as social work, public health, gender, law/human rights, international relations, and/or other related social science disciplines.
Competencies and values
Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Integrity, Leadership, Managing Performance, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Maiduguri is the capital city of the Borno State in North-eastern Nigeria. The current security Level is 5, which is only one step below the highest security level classification in the UN (the highest being 6). UN Staff movements are restricted and must comply to UN security measures. Living conditions are demanding and candidates should be prepared to consider this a hardship post. The local populations are mostly Muslim including Kanuri, Hausa, Shuwa, Bura, Marghi, and Fulani ethnic groups. There is also a considerable Christian population and people from other parts of the country such as the Igbo, Ijaw, and Yoruba. There is a large community of national and international personnel from the UN and from INGOs. Some basic facilities are available. The city has an international Airport which caters to international as well as domestic flights. There are regular direct flights from Maiduguri to Abuja (the capital city) and Lagos in the Southwestern part of the country. In addition, the UNHAS also operates regular flights from Maiduguri to the deep fields of the State to support operational activities of the humanitarian response. The climate is hot semi-arid, especially in the dry season where it can go beyond 40°C. A detailed security briefing is provided to all new-arrivals by the security staff on arrival in the country.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
