Bangladesh: Humanitarian Advisor

Outraged by the injustice faced by people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, we aspire to a world of solidarity and inclusion, enriched by our differences, where everyone can live in dignity. Handicap International is an independent and impartial aid and development organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work alongside disabled and vulnerable people to help meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

For further information about the association: http://www.handicap-international.org

COUNTRY CONTEXT:

Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in South Asia with one of the highest density of population in the world – 160 million. Bangladesh is a delta where 3 main rivers reach the sea. Most of the country is a disaster prone area in term of floods.

Emergency context and needs A high proportion of the Undocumented Myanmar Nationals (UNM) refugees in Cox’s Bazar remain in a chronic emergency situation due to long-term challenges to find a durable solution to their status in Myanmar and Bangladesh and therefore require continuous humanitarian assistance. The new influx, with more than 600,000 arrivals from August 2018, has created even more pressure on resources and increasing humanitarian needs. The humanitarian needs resulting from the Mora’s devastating impact and the new arrivals of refugees have not been fully met yet, and the cyclone season is expected to start soon.

MISSION CONTEXT:

HI has been working in Bangladesh since 1997, with a focus on creating sustainable changes in terms of ensuring rights and inclusion of people with disabilities in society. In Cox Bazar’s district, HI has a strong knowledge and experience in chronic emergency response. Thanks to three projects implemented before the crisis, HI is providing services in rehabilitation, protection and PSS, with an inclusive mainstreaming approach to refugees and host population. HI works not only with people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations, but also with their families, their communities, and the society, in order to provide sustainability in its action. Emergency Response In response to the massive influx of refugees, HI also set-up an emergency intervention responding to the needs of thousands of refugees. Multi-sectorial mobile teams are currently working in the “mega camp”, providing services in rehabilitation, health, protection and PSS. Because of the extremely vulnerability of certain persons, the mobile intervention helps reaching people forgotten by static activities. HI is also providing kits (shelter, NFI, WaSH, dignity, dry food) through a dedicated team in order to have a more integrated approach and respond to the needs of new arrivals. Through its brands ATLAS logistics, HI set-up two storages in Ukiya and Teknaf and is facilitating transport to support other actors in their intervention.

JOB DESCRIPTION

General mission:

Under direct line management of the Bangladesh Program Director and in close link with federal advocacy  Contributing to the design, implementation and follow-up of HI advocacy and testimony strategies regarding Bangladesh crisis and its impacts at national, regional and international levels;  Ensuring regular training, sensitization session to HI team and partners on the Humanitarian principles;  Liaising with relevant stakeholders and networks involved in advocacy actions at national/regional level

Responsibilities:

• Responsibility 1: Humanitarian environment analysis Activities: To monitor current Humanitarian context and challenges met at Bangladesh, UN and international organizations levels concerning the situation of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Myanmar.  Follow up on humanitarian access and identified positioning challenges to support the Program Director and Area Manager on decisions making.

• Responsibility 2: Advocacy & testimony strategies development Activities:  Develop an advocacy strategy in relation to the positioning issues. The strategy should include the definition of main messages, type of advocacy (public, private), possible targets for advocacy (national and international level)  Define HI testimony strategy in link with DORT, the AIR team and the Foundation. If the activity is confirmed (cf pre-conditions above), to follow up the person in charge.

• Responsibility 3: Networking & Representation

Activities:  Represent HI at advocacy working group level and in other relevant fora where positioning and advocacy issues are discussed to raise our voice jointly in regard to the respect of the nature of NGOs and of the principled response we are meant to implement  Regularly collaborate with projects and communication teams in order to consider their objectives in our advocacy strategy and identify potential support to be provided.  Regularly link with Myanmar Country team if possible according to security situation.

• Responsibility 4: Sensitization, training & support on sensitive data collection

Activities:  Handle Humanitarian Principles refresher and sensitization sessions of remaining HI staff, including expatriates.  Handle humanitarian principles trainings to HI local partners, including directly to the volunteers we work with.  Work with the team on sensitive data collection methods in collaboration with HI protection and MEAL teams.

SPECIFICITIES

Safety and Security Security is an issue of ongoing concern in the country. The Hill Tracts (Myanmar border and Indian border) are zones where expatriates are not allowed to go except with an authorization from the government. In Dhaka, the blockades and Hartals (national strikes) can restrict project activity. Expatriates have to strictly follow the security rules, which are periodically updated. The security for expatriates has recently deteriorated with attacks specifically targeting foreigners, putting additional restrictions on expatriate movement. In July 2016, 29 people including 18 expatriates were killed by suspected extremist militants at the Holey Artisan Bakery. From then on, the government has been taking serious steps in cracking down of militant activities in the country. Expatriates are currently only allowed to move by car; walking in the streets is restricted to specific areas. Security in Cox’s Bazar is even more sensitive with the presence of a growing number of foreign aid workers and the lareg numbe of refugee population. Although Bangladesh remains a family duty station, considering the security restrictions, HI does not recommend the position for families with schoolchildren. Cox’s Bazar remains a non-family duty station.

PROFILE SOUGHT

Essential:

• Master's degree in social and/or political science, international law, development studies,
• 2-years’ experience in humanitarian sector
• Experience in advocacy and human rights
• Experience in presenting complex information clearly and in a synthetic for a lay audience
• Experience of working in an international context
• Excellent oral, written (English), editorial and presentation skills
• Team player with adaptable and pragmatic approach to work
• Understanding of human rights-based approaches
• Understanding of the importance of the law and legal advocacy for the fulfillment of human rights
• Understanding of international human rights law and UN bodies Independent, curious and proactive

Preferable :

• Degree in social and political science or equivalent
• Experience of carrying out and/or using legal research, ideally in complex context
• Knowledge of Rohingya situation and Bangladesh is an asset

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Salary: from 2200 € gross/month depending on the experience of the candidate
• Perdiem: 536, 55 € net/month
• Hardship allowance: 250 € net/month
• Insurances: medical health coverage, retirement planning, repatriation
• Paid holiday: 25 days per year
• R&R: 5 days every 3 months
• Status: unaccompanied position
• Accomodation: collective covered by HI

https://hi.profilsearch.com/recrute/fr/fo_annonce_voir.php?id=2684&idpartenaire=136