Durable Solutions Coordinator At Danish Refugee Council

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

Burkina Faso is facing the most severe security and humanitarian crisis in the country’s history. The country had been known for many years as an example for political stability and peaceful religious and ethnic coexistence, despite being one of the poorest countries in the world (ranking 182 out of 189 countries in the Human Development Index 2019). However, since 2015, there has been an increased number of terrorist attacks by Islamic groups, local militias, and militants in the Northern Territories. This has led to large scale displacement, schools shutting down, loss of livelihood opportunities, social marginalization and increased vulnerability. Additionally, the current COVID-19 crisis risks putting even more strain on the country’s already weak health system.

According to Burkina Faso’s Conseil National de Secours d’Urgence (CONASUR) and the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) the security situation has worsened since the beginning of the year (2020), specifically the regions Central – North and Sahel. Between January and July over a million people (5 per cent of the population) had to flee their homes. Between January 2019 and July 2020 over 1 million persons (5% of the population) had to flee their homes. The national government has created Sites d’Accueil Temporaires (SAT), rather than establishing official IDP camps. According to OCHA, 95% of them were living in host communities – many with the local populations but others also in public buildings such as schools or health centres, and yet others in temporarily constructed and precarious shelters (without access to basic services) in peri-urban areas. However, the trends seem to be changing and more IDPs are settling in informal settlements. The municipalities of Djibo, Kaya, Dori et Kongoussi, Fada N’gourma, and Ouahigouya accommodate the highest number of IDPs. While the host communities have shown great solidarity, tensions are on the rise due to the protracted nature of the situation and to limited resources. Around June 2020, the humanitarian community started noting pendular movements and what is seen and sporadic returns. However, the causes of these movements are yet to be understood. Hypotheses include the agricultural season or changes in armed groups’ leadership.

The humanitarian community had to adapt quickly to this crisis and scale up its programming. There is, however, little information about internal displacement. While gender and age disaggregated data are mostly available, the socio-economic profile of IDPs, as well as information on the underlying drivers of displacement and the events that triggered the movement, and their intentions remains unavailable. With more than 1 million IDPs, and around 30% of them displaced for 1 year or more, the humanitarian community needs to start reflecting on the longer-term perspectives. Solid evidence on intentions, willingness and perceptions are therefore necessary.

Purpose

The DRC Burkina-Faso is looking to recruit an experienced, highly- qualified and enthusiastic professional to take the role of Durable Solutions Coordinator.

The Durable Solutions Coordinator will engage stakeholders working on Durable Solutions in Burkina Faso through bilateral discussions and learning events on the IASC Framework for Durable Solutions, focusing on collaborative processes, data collection as well as the use of DS data for policy and programming Through discussions, existing knowledge and methodological gaps will be identified that can be addressed through a DS profiling exercise.

The results of the profiling exercise are primarily intended to improve the quality and relevance of humanitarian programming and prepare and accompany early recovery and durable solutions to IDPs. General and specific profiling objectives will be defined by a technical working group (TWG) established by partners of the exercise.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Head of Programme, with strong supervision of the JIPS Advisor and the JIPS Head of Field Support and Capacity Building, the

The main responsibilities and tasks of the Durables Solutions Coordinator are the following:

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaborative Process

• Organize relevant bilateral meetings with government, UN, INGO and NNGO in Burkina Faso to discuss and understand possible ways forward to advance durable solutions in Burkina Faso
• Contribute to strengthening the capacity of governments, humanitarian and development actors in the Burkina Faso on data systems and collaborative data processes in displacement situations, by organizing knowledge sharing, peer-to-peer and training events.
• With support from JIPS, tailors and delivers training material and learning tools at local and country level, based on specific learning and data needs, with particular focus on national and local government partners.
• Initiates and contributes to fostering partnerships in Burkina Faso, relevant for JIPS field support and capacity building activities, including with national and local governments, humanitarian and development agencies, donors and civil society.
• Contributes to relationship building with the national community working to improve data on forced displacement in the country, including through advocacy and adequate representation of JIPS in relevant national processes and forums.

Coordination and capacity building:

• Establish and maintain an effective coordination platform for the profiling exercise, e.g., prepare Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings and support preparation for other meetings as relevant
• Plan and organise for capacity building sessions, including with government officials, along the profiling process in order to support all partners’ participation
• Oversee/lead the drafting and TWG-endorsement of the key project documents: TWG TOR and profiling concept note
• Ensure the effective management of the profiling project, including respect of project objectives, time frames and budget
• Resolve potential challenges/ conflicts amongst stakeholders due to conflicting agendas, misunderstandings, and other reasons

Methodology development:

• In collaboration with the JIPS advisor, complete the secondary data review and mapping of the information landscape, to analyse available information sources in order to inform /complement the design of the profiling as well as its methodology and tools and to provide context for the analysis of the collected data
• Oversee/lead the design of the methodology and tools of the profiling project, including a household survey and qualitative methods as needed, and co-facilitate with JIPS the necessary capacity building and/or working sessions with TWG members

Data collection, including field work preparation, training and pilot implementation

• Oversee the implementation of the enumeration (if applicable) and sample-based household survey data collection phase of the profiling exercise
• Facilitate training of enumerators, team leaders and data processing staff and the development of training materials, under a capacity building lens
• Oversee the set-up and implementation of mobile data collection tools, ensuring that Kobo toolbox is set up and functioning.
• Facilitate/lead the piloting phase including the subsequent revision of tools
• Oversee the implementation of the qualitative data collection and community engagement phase of the profiling exercise (FGDs or other methods as deemed appropriate)
• Provide technical support throughout the survey, monitor the data collection process in collaboration with the data collection organisations and ensure data quality through ongoing checks.

Reporting and drafting of findings and recommendations:

• With support from JIPS Advisor/JIPS Head of Field Support prepare approach and tools for the joint analysis workshops
• Prepare survey and area level results to be communicated and worked on during the joint analysis workshop(s) – all materials in French.
• Facilitate joint analysis workshops in the selected urban areas.
• Draft the key findings and recommendations, with support from the TWG and JIPS
• Develop a dissemination strategy for the final product amongst key stakeholders and host feedback and dissemination workshops as agreed with the TWG (including for example a series of launch events for the profiling exercise)
• Troubleshoot problems arising during the project to ensure that project objectives are reached
• Any other duties as required to ensure successful completion of the profiling exercise

Overall:

• Work closely together with JIPS profiling advisor supporting the exercise and the JIPS Head of Field Support throughout;
• Maintain collaboration and communication with the requesting partners / TWG through all the phases;
• Present progress and results as needed at different meetings with the TWG.

The responsibilities listed in this job advertisement are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs by the Head of Programme or the JIPS team but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Required Qualifications

Following qualifications are required/essential:

• Educated to postgraduate level, in human/social/political sciences, statistics, development studies, or other similar subject or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in displacement contexts, focusing on Durable Solutions/displacement data
• Practical experience in survey design, survey tool development (knowledge of KOBO Toolbox would be an asset).
• Practical experience in designing qualitative data collection tools.
• Practical experience in designing training material and training techniques.
• Practical expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Practical expertise in quantitative data analysis software, e.g. SPSS.
• Practical expertise in community engagement and organising/ facilitating joint workshops on analysis and action plan development.
• Excellent language skills in English and French, including excellent drafting skills.
• Good organizational and management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Experience working having worked in West Africa with international NGOs and/or the UN is an advantage.

Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required
• Multi-tasking and Organizational skills is a must
• Adaptable and Flexible
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
• Team-oriented & good sense of humor

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request