Humanitarian Access Adviser Yemen

Humanitarian Access Adviser Yemen | NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council

Humanitarian Access Adviser Yemen

NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council Hodeidah, Hajjah, Aden, Sanaa, Lahj, Abyan, Amran National Senior level Speaks Arabic, English

Application deadline: March 27, 2026

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Summary by Impactpool

The Humanitarian Access Adviser in Yemen will play a crucial role in enhancing humanitarian access for NRC operations while co-chairing the Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG). This position requires a senior-level professional with extensive experience in humanitarian programming and access, particularly in complex contexts. The Adviser will provide technical support, engage with diverse stakeholders, and ensure adherence to humanitarian principles. The role involves capacity building, strategic decision-making, and operational support to facilitate effective humanitarian responses.

Candidate Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Minimum three years of senior experience in humanitarian/recovery context

Strong understanding of international humanitarian law and principles

Experience in access negotiations with NGOs and/or UN agencies

Understanding of engagement with UN Representatives

Experience in coordination and stakeholder interaction

Experience in remote management is a plus

Working proficiency in English; Arabic is an asset

What we are looking for

Senior level experience in a humanitarian/recovery context with demonstrated experience in humanitarian programming and access, with strong understanding of international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles, and how to operationalise them within a humanitarian response, including humanitarian access dilemmas. 

Previous experience within the region and/or area of operations is preferable as well as previous experience working in complex contexts and participating in access negotiations with an NGO and/or UN agencies.

Understanding of how to engage with UN Representatives, experience with OCHA would be helpful as well as experience in coordination, interacting with multiple diverse stakeholders creating alliances and navigating sensitivities or difficult policy environments.

What you will do

In Yemen, this position plays a dual role of NRC’s internal Humanitarian Access Adviser and the Co-Chair of the Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG) with a split of 50% internal and 50% of time dedicated to the HAWG. As Co-Chair, the Adviser is responsible for co-chairing Yemen’s HAWG alongside the United Nations Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The Co-Chair provides both operational and technical support to the coordination structure.

The HAWG Co-Chair drives collective action to overcome humanitarian access barriers impeding the delivery of principled and quality assistance to populations in hard-to-reach areas, and in response to new emergencies. The Co-Chair also informs and briefs humanitarian organisations and the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) forum on humanitarian access issues and barriers and collects information from humanitarian actors to inform the HAWG and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT).

Within NRC, the Adviser supports principled response design and implementation by providing analysis, operational support, and technical guidance to ensure sustained and quality access. The Adviser provides technical expertise to the HAS Manager and Country Management Group (CMG) on implementing NRC’s Humanitarian Access Framework. Through humanitarian engagement, advocacy, and external coordination, the Adviser supports NRC to plan and operationalise strategies to increase the reach, acceptance, and impact of NRC programmes. The Adviser also advises on strategic decision-making, programme design, monitoring, and operational footprints to be principled, conflict sensitive, adaptive, and contextually driven. The Adviser reports directly to the HAS Manager.

Key responsibilities:

Enhance humanitarian access for NRC operations by providing technical support on tools and strategies and assisting teams in developing access strategies and engagement plans.

Advise on the NRC Global HAS Management System at country level and support the humanitarian access components of the country HAS Operational Plan in line with global HAS initiatives. 

Support the CMG/CD to influence stakeholders and protect humanitarian space.

Support the HAS Manager in developing and maintaining access components of country HAS documents, procedures,  guidance, and tools, including strategy and budgets, ensuring consistency across the country programme and in line with organisational standards.

Oversee and/or conduct the annual access severity mapping and other access assessments, collaborating with management and programme teams to develop and implement relevant mitigation measures for access constraints.

In coordination with the Country Director and Country Management Group (CMG), and in line with NRC’s approach and systems, lead and support efforts to secure access from relevant local authorities and other external stakeholders. 

Provide capacity building to NRC staff and partners, including topics on humanitarian engagement, access negotiations, and access principles.

Develop and continuously update stakeholder analysis and access networks for areas where NRC is or is planning to implement programme activities.

Represent NRC in external forums such as the Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG) and Civil-Military Coordination, as well as other forums as required . 

Ensure adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures, and a specific responsibility for HAS policies and procedures.

What you will bring

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Minimum three years of experience working in a senior role in a humanitarian/recovery context with demonstrated experience in humanitarian programming and access.

Strong understanding of humanitarian/recovery context with demonstrated experience in humanitarian programming and access, with strong understanding of international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles, and how to operationalise them within a humanitarian response, including humanitarian access dilemmas. 

Previous experience within the region and/or area of operations is preferable as well as previous experience working in complex contexts and participating in access negotiations with an NGO and/or UN agencies.

Understanding of how to engage with UN Representatives, experience with OCHA would be helpful.

Experience in coordination, interacting with multiple, diverse stakeholders, experience creating alliances and navigating sensitivities or difficult policy environments.

Experience in remote management is an added value.

Working proficiency in relevant language(s) English, both written and verbal. Arabic language is an asset. 

Please download  the detailed job description to learn more about the position.

What we offer

Duty station: Sana’a, with field visits to Aden, Taiz, Lahj, Abyan, Hodeida, Hajjah and Amran and other Southern Provinces.

Contract: Fixed Term for 12months renewable based on funding and performance 

Travel: 40% (Travel to Area Offices and project locations).

Salary/benefits: Grade 8 on NRC's grading structure.  

NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.

We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Important information about the application process

We invite applications from all qualified candidates matching the profile. 

Please ensure you attach copies of your academic and professional certificates. 

To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email address or click on Opportunity Marketplace.

When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.

Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.

Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be

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