REACH Field Officer at REACH International

REACH was born in 2010 as a joint initiative of two INGOs (IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Field (UNITAR) Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). REACH’s purpose is to promote and facilitate the development of information products that enhance the humanitarian community’s decision making and planning capacity for emergency, reconstruction and development contexts, supporting and working within the framework of the humanitarian reform process.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: REACH Field Officer

Locations: MMC, Mafa, Bama, Pulka, Dikwa, and Ngala - Borno
Position to start: 4th quarter 2018
Contract duration: 6 months

Context / Country
The crisis in North-East Nigeria is now in its 9th year, with 1.88 million people displaced across the three states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. Borno state hosts the largest proportion of these (1.4 million people). Major operations by NAF and counter offensives by AOGs have increased through the 2nd quarter of 2018, leading to the displacement of 59,567 individuals between DTM rounds 22 and 23 (April - June 2018). In Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, Kukawa, Monguno, Mafa, Dikwa, Bama, Gwoza, Damboa, Gujba, Tarmwa, Maiha, Nusman, Song, Yola South and Fufore LGAs have all seen significant increases in the number of IDPs in accessible areas who are primarily originating from Hard to Reach (H2R) areas. While there is a considerable amount of information related to the needs and conditions of IDPs (as well as returnees and non-displaced populations, thanks in part to the ongoing efforts of REACH) in these accessible areas, despite the availability of information sources – the recently displaced populations themselves – there is an evident lack of information on populations remaining in H2R areas.

UNOCHA estimates that 820,000 individuals remain isolated in areas inaccessible to the humanitarian response and with limited access to basic services such as health care and education. Specific conditions and needs of the population in hard to reach settlements remain unknown, and population figures, well as demographic composition and status (non-displaced, IDP, returnee), are formulated with little actual knowledge of the situation.

In recognition of the urgent need for data in further areas of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, REACH intends to expand data collection in secure locations of Maiduguri, Monguno, Kukawa, Pulka, Mafa, Bama, Dikwa, Ngala, Damasak, Rann, Banki, Gwoza, Mubi and Gujuba in 2018. Through an H2R assessment approach, REACH will provide regular, reliable indicative tracking of humanitarian needs over time, to support in prioritization and identification of “hot-spot” areas witnessing a deterioration of humanitarian needs. To ensure this data is directly informing humanitarian response planning, data will be shared through formal coordination structures, such as OCHA, the OISWG, and relevant clusters, with feedback from partners used for both triangulations of gathered data as well as to inform research design and geographical targeting.

Chain of Command
Under the authority of:

• In country: ACTED Country Director
• In country: REACH Regional Representative
• In country: REACH Assessment Officer
• In country: REACH Field Manager
• In country: REACH Senior Field Officer

Responsible for:

• Their own activities
• Enumerators

Working Relations
Internal Relations:

• REACH Regional Representative
• REACH (Senior) GIS/Assessment Officers
• REACH (Senior) Field Officers
• REACH Field Assistants
• REACH Database Specialist

External Relations:

• Local authorities
• Functions

Summary
The REACH Field Officer shall be responsible for:

• Data cleaning, analysis, and entry
• Managing enumeration teams
• Focus group discussion facilitation
• Logistics support
• Any other tasks need to ensure the success of the REACH mission in Nigeria

Data Cleaning, Analysis and Entry:

• The REACH Field Officer will clean and analyze datasets given by REACH staff and collected by field teams.  They will also enter textual data into spreadsheets or databases for easier tracking and analysis, and ensure that all data they collect is properly stored onto the Dropbox server.

Managing Enumeration Teams:

• The REACH Field Officer will lead enumeration teams of up to 10 individuals and be responsible to providing direction, logistical and technical support to the enumerators. They will also support the REACH Assessment/GIS Officer/Field Manager/Senior Field Officer as needed; they will directly manage enumeration teams and ensure key informant networks are developed and maintained.

Focus group discussion facilitation and analysis:

• The REACH Field Officer will facilitate or co-facilitate focus group discussion in the refugee settlements and provide qualitative analysis of the results as required.

Logistics Support:

• The REACH Field Officer will provide logistics support to the REACH Senior Field Officer by filling and tracking order forms and tracking existing and incoming REACH assets in field locations as needed.  They will also provide support in organizing movement of REACH teams to and from field locations, identifying accommodations and office space, and liaising with appropriate government authorities to ensure REACH can conduct activities as needed.

Other Tasks

• The REACH Field Officer will participate in other, undefined tasks that are necessary to support the REACH mission in Nigeria.
• Accountability to Communities and Beneficiaries
• The staff member is responsible for ensuring that all relations with the communities we work are conducted in a respectful and consultative manner. Due attention must be paid to ensuring that communities are adequately consulted and informed about ACTED programme objectives, activities, beneficiary selection criteria, and methodologies.
• This is the responsibility of every ACTED staff member.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in humanitarian or development organizations, preferably in a field-based position
• Willingness and ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced field environment for extended periods of the time required
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline (social science, development) required
• Strong skills with the Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience using ODK for quantitative data collection, or the ability to rapidly master the process
• Experience hiring and managing casual laborers
• Experience conducting focus group discussions, or the ability to learn rapidly
• Positive attitude and a willingness to learn
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility
• Prior experience working in IDP settlements an asset
• Spoken fluency in English and Hausa required
• Strong written skills in English and Hausa required
• Ability to work independently

Application Closing Date
27th September, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click Here to Start Application

Click here for more Information on Reach International

NOTE

• Provide contact details (name, position, email address and tel. no.) of 3 professional non-related references, whereas 1 must be for the latest employer. Please do not attach any written recommendations.
• Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, will be considered. Please note: The position title and location must be written in the subject line of the e-mail otherwise not considered. REACH considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, colour, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.
• Due to the large numbers of expected applicants REACH will only inform shortlisted candidates. We apologise for the inconvenience.Only short-listed applicants will be invited for written test and oral interview.