Regional Analyst- Sahel (French & English fluency required) At International NGO Safety Organisation

INSO Background

Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is an international charity that supports humanitarian aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure contexts. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services, including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety-related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations and training.

INSO services help NGOs with their day-to-day risk management responsibilities and improve their overall situational awareness to support evidence-based humanitarian access decisions. The organisation has grown from an innovative start-up to become a globally recognised charity and a valuable component of the humanitarian safety coordination system. Today, INSO provides daily support to more than 1,000 NGOs in 17 of the world’s most insecure countries and has earned a strong reputation for its performance, principles and professionalism.

INSO in the Sahel

INSO has developed a strong regional approach to the crisis in Central Sahel, with NGO safety platforms in Mali (since 2014 – supporting over 160 NGOs), Burkina Faso (since 2018 – supporting over 150 NGOs) and Niger (since 2020, with over 50 NGOs already using existing services). The 3 platforms in the Sahel operate under INSO’s West Africa Region, jointly with our programmes in Nigeria and Cameroon (Lake Chad Basin).

This position is preferably based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso but could also be based in Mali or Niger.

Job Summary

Based in Ouagadougou, the main objective of the Regional Analyst is to complement and enhance the strategic decision-making of NGOs conducting humanitarian operations in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Considering the complex and challenging operational environment in the Sahel, the Regional Analyst will be responsible for examining the multi-faceted interplay and impact of local, national and regional dynamics across Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and the wider Sahel region.

By leading and contributing to senior management briefings, analytical reports and thematic research that utilize INSO’s unique information and resources to assess geo-political, security and socio-economic trends, the position aims to effectively implement INSO’s mission and mandate in providing its partners with comprehensive analysis and advice on humanitarian safety and access.

Organisational Structure

The Regional Analyst, who will be based in Ouagadougou, reports to, and is the responsibility of, the INSO Burkina Faso Director. For technical supervision and quality assurance, the Regional Analyst falls under INSO’s Chief Analyst, who is based at INSO’s headquarters in the Hague. For broader coordination on regional programming and thematic research, the Regional Analyst will liaise with the Regional Director for West Africa, who is also based at INSO’s headquarters, as well as the country directors of each relevant platform.

Key Responsibilities

* Monitor, collate and verify contextual developments from a diverse range of information, such as NGOs, the UN, civil society organisations, research institutes and media sources.

* Monitor emerging developments in the coastal states South of the Central Sahel, which are linked to the Sahelian conflict

* Identify, cultivate and maintain an active network of contacts within the broader humanitarian community as well as other relevant stakeholders for information sharing, analytical exchanges, relationship building and operational coordination.

* Prepare and produce a Monthly Trend Analysis that assists NGO partners by monitoring and assessing prevalent conflict dynamics and their impact on humanitarian safety and access.

* Provide and present a Monthly Regional Analysis Briefing to NGO senior management to inform programmatic decision-making, operational modalities and contingency plans.

* Conduct and manage Thematic Papers on common or recurring challenges to humanitarian delivery using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods.

* Convene and contribute to NGO coordination meetings and forums with humanitarian counterparts to discuss strategic and operational solutions to issues pertaining to humanitarian safety and access.

* Liaise and coordinate with INSO’s Chief Analyst for initiatives related to ensuring analytical quality assurance and standards in-country, designing and disseminating Thematic Papers, contributing to global reports as well as improving capacities through analytical training.

* Liaise and coordinate with INSO’s Regional Director West Africa for initiatives related to regional coordination and research involving Mali and Niger country offices, or other INSO projects in the region.

* Ensure and reinforce the continuity and consistency between INSO’s consolidated internal data and externally distributed analytical products.

* Effectively represent and protect INSO’s principles of independence, impartiality and neutrality as well as actively promoting INSO as an integral member of the humanitarian community.

Other Responsibilities

* Strategy Development. Contribute to the definition and application of INSO’s country strategy, providing analysis and advice for programmatic plans, products and practice.

* Programme Support. Assist the programme teams in the delivery of products and services if required by the Country Directors or the Regional Director.

* Crisis Management. Offer support to enhance the preparedness or response of INSO and its partners in the event of an emergency.

The position and duties of this post require a great degree of flexibility and adaptation. Hence, within reasonable limits, the Regional Analyst might be required to carry out tasks that may not be explicitly detailed in this job description but are aligned with INSO principles and mandate.

Mandatory Requirements

* Fluent spoken and written French (ability to produce high-quality research papers and briefings).

* Fluent spoken and written English (ability to produce high-quality research papers and briefings).

* Masters degree in political, conflict, security or humanitarian studies.

* Relevant experience working in NGOs, international organisations, field-programmes, think-tanks, research consultancies or journalism.

* Minimum 3 years’ experience working in and on insecure/post-conflict environments, preferably in an analytical capacity.

* Excellent writing and analytical skills.

* Ability to work independently to tight deadlines in difficult conditions.

* Demonstrable understanding of safety discourses and dynamics as they relate to NGO operations and humanitarian coordination mechanisms.

Preferred Characteristics

* Strong comprehension and training in conflict analysis, conflict sensitivity and/or do no harm.

* Pre-existing and recent professional experience, contextual knowledge, information networks and/or local languages in the Sahel region, specifically Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

* Strategic commitment to innovatively incorporate and systematize analytical thinking into humanitarian projects, operations and programmes.

* Technical proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint.

Key Personal Competencies

* Conceptual, critical and creative thinking

* Managing and solving complex problems

* Effective communication and interpersonal skills

* Organised and diligent work ethic

* Empowering and inclusive team player

* Cultural and situational sensitivity

* Principled and consummate professional

Terms & Conditions

12-month contract based in Ouagadougou, with expected start date on 01 December 2021, €4,550 per month salary, 4 days annual leave per month and 7 days of R&R every 3 months with €1,250 allowance, housing, global medical coverage (excluding USA) and USD $200,000 AD&D insurance.

INSO’s Safeguarding Policy

INSO is fully committed to safe recruitment, selection and vetting of all potential new staff, trustees and volunteers and we will ensure rigorous compliance with our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policy throughout the recruitment process. As such, the following safe recruitment practices will be applied:

* All offers of employment will be conditional on receiving at least two satisfactory professional references;

* INSO will ask candidates about significant gaps in employment history or frequent changes of employer and address;

* All essential qualifications and relevant professional accreditations and memberships will be verified;

* The successful candidate will be required to provide a valid proof of identity (passport, ID card);

* All new hires will receive an orientation in INSO’s safeguarding policy and procedures and associated documents (Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing etc.);

* All new hires will be required to sign and abide by the Code of Conduct as a condition of employment.