Mission and objectivesThe Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).
ContextThe Far North of Cameroon faces nearly every operational scenario confronted by UNHCR; IDP displacements (conflict and natural disasters), refugees (prima facie and individual status determination), returnees (both refugee and IDP), solutions (resettlement, integration, and voluntary repatriation), nexus (humanitarian-development-peace building), care and maintenance, emergencies, camp and non-camp populations. Violence by the Islamic Sect, Boko Haram, led to an influx of about 130,000 Nigerian refugees into the Far North region of Cameroon. Approximately 75,000 live in the Minawao Refugee Camp, the largest in West Africa, and fully supported by humanitarian assistance, with the others living in villages scattered along the Nigerian border and throughout northern Cameroon. Refuges continue to arrive at Minawao, either from Nigeria or coming from Cameroonian villages due to continued insecurity and lack of access to means of subsistence, with some 10,000 newly arrived in 2023. This situation has also led to the internal displacement of the local population living along the border to -other localities. There are some 380,000 IDPs in the Far North, mostly living with host families. Intercommunal violence in 2021 displaced approximately 35,000 people within Cameroon and another estimated 40,000 were displaced across the border to Chad. A good number of people who were displaced have already returned to the villages of origin. It is important to note that for Cameroonian returnees from Chad, the registration/enrolment of the returnee population is essential to provide cash and other forms of reintegration assistance in an on-goring return programme with Chad. The incumbent is responsible for covering a range of shelter issues for the Far North of Cameroon, a region with a complex and delicate protection and operational context. Working under the supervision of the Head of the Office, and with functional support from the Shelter Officer in MCO, s/he is responsible for creating, updating and delivering on shelter strategies and responses for the region. S/he will need to lead consultative processes with government counterparts, partners, and persons of concern to develop and implement a strategy addressing the shelter needs of the people that UNHCR serves. This includes women and women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) priorities for these persons. S/he will engage the community participation of refugees in shelter delivery and promote ownership of the community in shelter response.
Task DescriptionUnder the delegated authority and direct supervision of the Head of UNHCR sub-delegation in Maroua or its designated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: ๏ฌ Ensure that UNHCR field operations are supported in the assessment of shelter needs taking into account the current situation, projected demographic planning figures and the expected scale of returns. ๏ฌ Develop shelter strategies for the Far North region that are framed by UNHCR's overall settlement and shelter strategy, and that take into consideration the local context, age and gender, culture, climate, environmental protection and the availability of local resources, including materials, capacity and existing infrastructure. ๏ฌ Provide clear guidance on shelter and facility standards, including minimum emergency standards to meet basic and essential needs. In collaboration with UNHCR's operational partners, compile, analyze and map available information on shelter options in the Far North region, taking into account relevant policies adopted by the government. When planning shelter works, ensure that the technical component reflects UNHCR's minimum standards for the provision of emergency assistance and other types of shelter, and is in line with budgetary requirements. Existing standards in other relevant sectors, such as water and sanitation, should be taken into account. ๏ฌ Ensure that the shelter strategy is periodically reviewed to reflect the changing situation in the country and to ensure a gradual transition to more sustainable shelter solutions. This process should be carried out in close collaboration with the beneficiaries and the host government, bearing in mind the shelter needs of people on their eventual return to their country of origin; ๏ฌ Ensure that specifications, bills of quantities and drawings are produced in a technically sound and standardized manner, and put in place monitoring and evaluation tools to ensure that work is implemented according to plan and completed on schedule. Promote the sustainability of technical interventions through local capacity building and self-help in collaboration with local partners on the ground. Ensure that local communities have been consulted on all activities so as not to create unnecessary tensions between displaced and host populations. ๏ฌ In consultation with UNHCR's implementing partner and local communities themselves, identify the need for community-based Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) that can benefit local and displaced communities. ๏ฌ The position requires regular contact with in-country program, protection and field staff to ensure technical support related to shelter and construction activities. ๏ฌ Close and regular contact with technical and non-technical staff from UN agencies, implementing partners, national and international NGOs and government authorities is essential to discuss issues relating to the coordination and provision of shelter and infrastructure. ๏ฌ Maintain regular contact with the Shelter and Facilities section in Yaounde on all technical issues. ๏ฌ Promote community participation of refugees in the shelter response and encourage ownership of the shelter response among the refugee population. Results/expected outputs As an active UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: Reinforcement of staff responsible for the provision of construction-related services, ensuring an environment conducive to the effective and efficient implementation of habitat components, and strengthening of the existing team so that it is able to deliver a higher volume. ๏ฌ The age, gender and diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the mission; ๏ฌ A final statement of achievements in volunteering for peace and development during the mission, such as a report on the number of volunteers mobilized, the activities in which they participated and the capacities they developed.
Competencies and valuesProfessionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; โข Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. โข Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; โข Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. โข Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. โข Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; โข Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary. โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksMaroua, located in Cameroon's Far North region, offers a Sahelian living environment with a very hot, dry climate, punctuated by rain between June and September. Safety has improved, although vigilance is still required due to the proximity of unstable zones. Air access is limited, roads are passable but sometimes deteriorated, and motorcycle cabs dominate urban transport and travel. The cost of living is low, with abundant local food but drinking water to be filtered or purchased. Electricity is available but subject to frequent power cuts. Medical facilities are basic, and specialized care requires travel to other cities. Banking services are available, although ATMs are sometimes unreliable, and mobile payments are widely used. The Internet is accessible via mobile networks, but remains slow. Finally, sustainable development projects are underway to improve infrastructure and the quality of life for the population of the Far North region.