Role :   Job Opportunity : ICVA Regional ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Location :   2. Yaoundé-Centre
Company URL :   http://www.lutheranworld.org

Description:

Vacancy for ICVA Regional Engagement Coordinator – Lutheran World Federation (LWF)
West and Central Africa
Location:             Yaounde, Cameroon

Contract:             2 years at 100% with possibility of extension 
Starting date:        15 October 2025
Deadline for application:     26 August 2025


I.    Institutional information

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of Lutheran faith churches comprising 148 member churches in 99 countries around the world, with 77 million Christians, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. World Service is the humanitarian and development arm of LWF. We are a widely recognized, international, faith-based organization working in over 20 countries. We seek to bring people of all backgrounds together in the common quest for justice, peace, and reconciliation in an increasingly complex and fragmented World.
Our work, actions, and operations are guided by a commitment to the human rights of every individual, regardless of their status, guides our work, actions, and operations. We are particularly known for our timely, compassionate, and professional humanitarian work, and for our field presence in hard-to-reach areas. Our work is people-centered and community- based. Above all, we work with the most vulnerable, and to claim and uphold their rights, we engage proactively with local government and community structures.

LWF/World Service has been present in Cameroon since 2014 and primarily operates in three programmatic areas: Climate and resilient livelihoods, Protection and social cohesion, Quality services in four regions: East, Adamaoua, North, and Far North, with a representation office in Yaoundé in the Centre region.

LWF is also member of  International Council of Voluntary Agencies  (ICVA) Network, ICVA is Founded in 1962, is a global network of 180 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) active in 160 countries, operating at global, regional, national and local levels, whose mission is to make humanitarian action more principled and effective by working collectively and independently to influence policy and practice. 

Based on 2030 Strategy, the ICVA Secretariat promotes and facilitates NGO engagement in the development of humanitarian sector, with a focus on Forced Displacement, Humanitarian Coordination, Humanitarian Financing, and cross cutting issues.

While historically based in Geneva, beginning in 2013 ICVA expanded its presence to Asia, Latin America, MENA and Africa aiming at:
•    Ensuring closer proximity to its members in the regions.
•    Expanding representation to regional or global humanitarian and political actors based in these regions.
•    Developing stronger links between field realities and global policies.
•    Strengthen the role of NGO Fora in regional and national-level humanitarian coordination and advocacy.

In May 2025, LWF signed a Global Hosting MoU with International Council of Voluntary Agencies  (ICVA). The ICVA Regional Engagement Coordinator (REC) will be offered LWF Employment Contracts and be seconded to ICVA.


II.    Place in the organization

Reporting to the ICVA Director of Engagement, the Regional Engagement Coordinator (REC) executes the ICVA strategy in the designated region as the extension of ICVA secretariat and works in support of the Heads of Forced Displacement, Humanitarian Coordination and Humanitarian Finance who will be their primary interlocutors. The REC is also expected to collaborate regularly with the other Regional Engagement Coordinators, the Head of Policy and Advocacy, the COO and the Operations Team. 

The Regional Engagement Coordinator will also have a line to the Country Representative of LWF Cameroon-CAR for administrative and HR matters and will be expected to be an active part of the LWF team in Cameroon.

III.    Objectives of the position
The REC supports the direction and focus of ICVA’s work in the region in the framework of the 2030 strategy and serves as the key connector between global humanitarian policy and advocacy processes with regional priorities, ensuring a continuous feedback loop between members working in the region and ICVA’s global representation initiatives. The REC works with a diverse membership and is responsible for engagement between ICVA, its members and partners in the focus areas, to strengthen principled and effective humanitarian action.

IV.    Main Responsibilities/Tasks

Analyzing and explaining:
·    Provide a regional contextualization of global humanitarian policy and advocacy processes to ensure the representation of local, national and regional perspectives in ICVA’s positioning, enabling a strengthening of the capacities of NGOs to engage in the humanitarian system.
·    Producing, sharing and exchanging information, analyses and learning opportunities designed for members in the region.
·    Ensure the production of bi-monthly regional updates, contribute to the Monthly Bulletin and maintain regional mailing lists for members.
·    Support ICVA learning streams, ensuring they are tailored for the region, when necessary
·    Support a multi-faceted NGO voice from the region to engage in key debates and decision-making forums in the region and at global levels that affect humanitarian action.
·    Support the development of policy briefs, evidence-based documentation, and research to inform policy and advocacy debates.

Supporting members:
·    Facilitate joint NGO statements, and collective advocacy on regional humanitarian related issues.
·    Facilitate, organize and convene meetings, workshops, discussions and debates for members/NGO Fora in the region to exchange experiences and information, and ensure coherence, collaboration and NGO cross-fertilization.
·    Collaborate with members and NGO fora to advance opportunities for principled and effective humanitarian action 
·    Develop and maintain relationships with ICVA’s members at the region and country-levels, including field travel where necessary.
·    Support the implementation of ICVA’s membership strategy in the region.
·    Facilitate document translation into the relevant local languages for access to members in the region.

Connecting with humanitarian stakeholders:
·    Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders at the regional level, including UN agencies, donors, regional bodies, think tanks and other stakeholders.
·    Lobby and advocate for NGO access to key humanitarian stakeholders, including multilateral partners, host Governments, donors, regional bodies and the private sector.
·    Support NGO engagement with, and feedback to, UN agencies, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and relevant regional bodies.
·    Support access for ICVA members to NGO Fora and other NGO networks active in humanitarian operations in the region.
·    When possible, support ICVA’s Network representation at various in-country and regional events, with the aim to share ICVA key messages and the advocacy priorities of NGO members.

Other:
·    Participate in preparation and review of the annual priorities for the region based on the ICVA annual workplan.
·    In collaboration with colleagues contribute to the design of project proposals.
·    Working with and/or managing consultants as necessary 
·    Support overall logistical, administrative, and financial monitoring for regional initiatives, workshops, missions, and travel; oversee budgeting, expenditures, and related tasks while ensuring compliance with donor requirements and ICVA and LWF policies.
V.    Profile
Required
·    University degree in relevant field, such as humanitarian assistance, international relations, political science, or related academic field, 
·    at least 5 years of experience working in the humanitarian sector in a direct programme role. Preference will be given to candidates with direct experience working with National or Local NGOs.
·    General knowledge of the international humanitarian sector including current humanitarian policy issues; specific knowledge of, and experience in, ICVAs Focus Areas is a significant asset.
·    Knowledge of specific humanitarian issues in the relevant region, and political, humanitarian actors of relevance to the region.
·    Experience working in coordination or networking roles, and/or providing advisory services in the humanitarian or NGO sector is desirable.

Competencies and skills:
·    Understanding of ICVA’s mission and the value of NGO contributions to the humanitarian sector.
·    Proven ability to work both autonomously and in a team
·    Proven ability to work with competing deadlines, juggling different tasks in a flexible manner.
·    Well-developed communication, presentation and representational skills appropriate for different audiences, including the ability to influence people.
·    Ability to understand and communicate the implications of regional developments for ICVA team and members.
·    Proficiency in French (speaking, reading, writing) is required.
·    Fluent in English and excellent writing skills.

VI.    Applications
-    A cover letter and CV, in English only should be sent to procurement.cameroon@lutheranworld.org indicating” The ICVA Regional Engagement Coordinator (REC) “in the subject title.
-    Deadline for applications is 26 August 2025, at 23:59 Cameroon time. Applications received after this time will not be considered.
-    Interviews will take place in September 2025.
-    Please note: Applicants must have the required legal status to work in the location of employment; LWF / ICVA will not provide facilitation for moving or visas.

LWF selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our organizational integrity and commitment to making humanitarian action more principled and effective.