UNICEF recruits 01 Emergency Specialist (Preparedness), P-3

DRC Ebola Response: Emergency Specialist (Preparedness), P-3 (Fixed Term), Goma, DRC

Job Number: 525218 | Vacancy Link

Locations: Africa: Congo, Dem. Rep

Work Type : Fixed Term Appointment

For every child, make a difference

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in its programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why UNICEF’s focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, a better life

Democratic Republic of Congo

In spite of its vast physical size and limitless natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 176th out of 188 countries in the 2015 human development report. Child poverty is widespread, particularly in conflict-affected and hard-to reach areas. According to a recent UNICEF study, 80 percent of children aged zero to 15 years old experience at least two major child rights deprivations. Despite sustained growth in recent years, the size of DRC’s economy remains far too small to provide enough government revenue to meet the basic needs of the population, children in particular. Since 2016, political instability, the persistence of conflicts in Eastern DRC and a sharp fall in global commodity prices have been aggravating factors.

DRC is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the World where UNICEF works to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path.

Ebola in DRC:

The Democratic Republic of the Congo declared on 1 August 2018,  an outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, the tenth in the country since 1976.

The Ebola outbreak in DRC continues to take place in the provinces North Kivu and Ituri, both affected by conflict and armed violence.

As of 9 June 2019, a total of 2062 cases have been detected with  1,968 confirmed and 94 probable cases identified, of which 1,390 have died (a fatality rate of 67 %).

To face this situation the DRC government and partners including UNICEF are supporting the implementation of the National Joint Response Plan to the Ebola outbreak under the leadership of the Ministry of Health. As part of the response, a Joint Nutrition and food assistance strategy was developed by the Government and UN agencies (WHO, UNICEF, WFP). The strategy is being accompanied by three guidelines i.e. (1) the National Nutritional and Food Strategy Guidelines for the EVD Response, (sector), and (2) the Nutritional Care Protocol for Ebola Treatment Centre, with the simplified algorithm for nutritional care for Ebola affected population (reviewed by HQ and adopted by MoH in Beni) and (3) the Infants and Young children feeding (IYCF) in community guidelines (still to be validated) developed in partnership with other partners that include WFP, WHO, MSF, ALIMA, and the National Nutrition Program- PRONANUT.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the Job

Under the guidance and supervision of the Team Lead for Preparedness in Goma, the Emergency Specialist (Preparedness) establishes and implements country office emergency preparedness and response plans. She/she will be responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency interventions to ensure the survival and well-being of children and mothers, and the affected communities in an emergency situation.

Role, Responsibilities and Expected Key Results

1. Emergency preparedness is effectively arranged together with establishment of country contingency plans and early warning mechanisms.

2. Emergency preparedness and response plans addresses gender issues that may be expected to intensify during emergencies.

3.  Emergency plans of action are developed, and compliance and coordination of all sectors with the plans are implemented.

4.  Technical advice on emergencies and programme management related to implementation of emergency preparedness measures are effectively provided.

5. Emergency preparedness and response, and a consistent flow of information of the humanitarian situation are effectively coordinated within the office.

6. Substantive improvements are made in the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff and implementing partners through conduct of effective training activities.

7. In the event of an emergency, UNICEF’s presence is promptly established and the initial emergency operational tasks are effectively executed, including provision of support for information communication technology, telecommunications facility and all staff security related assistance in the country office.

8. Needs assessment is effectively conducted to determine priorities and an appropriate intervention by UNICEF based on the local emergency situation affecting children, their families and community.

9. Timely delivery of assistance and supplies is provided, urgent staffing requirements are identified, and the appropriate use of UNICEF resources is monitored for effective project delivery.

10. Emergency appeals and project proposals are prepared, and concerted efforts are put forward to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding.

11. Longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions are determined to build a regular operational and staffing structure.

12. Continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison are maintained with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors and allies in support of the special needs of children and women affected by emergency situations within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the Core Commitment for Children.

13. Management is kept informed of humanitarian developments in relevant policies, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in the country.

14. Emergency preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the country office’s workplans.  Sectoral input is provided for all related documents for the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response, as well as for the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document

Key Accountabilities Duties and Tasks

Emergency Preparedness

1.  Adopts adequate emergency preparedness measures through the development and updating of country contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms, to ensure effective preparedness and response to specific emergencies.

2.  Participates in the formulation and development of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies, monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action, including financial resources. Ensures coordination of the management of emergency preparedness and response.

3.  Provides technical advice related to emergency preparedness and response, including on programme management related issues. Provides advice to the country office in the implementation of emergency preparedness measures in the field to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms in the country faced with impending emergencies.

4. Develops and maintains databases on country/regional information, and ensure the flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency preparedness and response management. Identifies availability of resources in emergency prone areas and establish logistics plans to be implemented during an emergency operation, to ensure a timely and effective emergency response.

5.  Plans, organizes and conducts training for the office’s staff capacity building in emergencies preparedness and response. Assists in developing and conducting emergency training courses. Provides training and/or briefing, as required. Participates in other emergency training workshops in the region, and builds up the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff as well as implementing partners.

Emergency Response

6.  In the event of an emergency, takes prompt action as a member of the Emergency Response Team which is deployed immediately to establish UNICEF’s presence and implement the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance. Immediately verifies the nature and extend of the emergency with staff, government officials, other UN agencies or local organizations and media.  Ensures that the office is provided with effective telecommunications facility and staff security assistance in an emergency, as necessary. In coordination with the programme and operations groups, establishes contact with all UNICEF staff, their dependants and visitors to ensure their safety and whereabouts, and informs OPSCEN and the Regional Director of their status.

7.  Participates and assists with assessment of local emergency and security situation affecting children and mothers in the locality, in conjunction with the Regional Office, the HQ Divisions, and field staff.  Visits the location to conduct an initial rough assessment of the magnitude of the crisis and its implications for children and its impact on the community. Assesses the validity of the office preparedness plan and ability of the office vis-à-vis the current crisis as well as immediate and additional needs. Determines corporate priorities and an appropriate intervention (supply procurement, fund-raising and staff development) by UNICEF. Coordinates with other partners to make a rapid assessment covering priority areas as defined by the Core Commitment for Children in Emergencies.  Establishes contact with community groups, government, UN agencies, media and other partners to keep abreast of emergency situations.

8. Applies the emergency preparedness and response plan as necessary, and identifies urgent staffing requirements and redeploys country office staff as required. Executes the timely delivery of assistance and procurement of supplies, monitors the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources/inputs.  Iidentifies problems and constraints in order to ensure effective project delivery. Certifies the disbursement of funds, monitors expenditures and submits financial status reports. Sets up a reporting system and sends daily situation reports to concerned parties.

Emergency Project

9. Participates in the implementation of plans of action and workplans for emergency projects. Implements and manages project activities. Undertakes field visits to emergency project areas, to assess local conditions and monitor project progress. Makes technical decisions on project administration (e.g., activates, requests or reprogrammes allocation of emergency funds). Prepares inputs for appeals and updates related to emergencies. Works with program sections and senior management to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding, including annual or multi-annual humanitarian appeals and documents (e.g., pitch documents). Communicates and advocates on the situation and needs of children through local and international media, as appropriate.

10. Identifies longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions. Proposes a more regular operational and staffing structure to take over from the Emergency Response Team.

 11. Maintains continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors and allies to appeal for aid for children and women with special needs resulting from the emergency situation requiring an effective emergency response in all sectors. Identifies implementing/operational partners and establishes implementing arrangements. Ensures that the UNICEF support is effectively provided to the government with respect to sectoral coordination within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the Core Commitment for Children.

12. Participates in all humanitarian and recovery related forum and keeps management informed of all humanitarian developments in the country in terms of policies, strategy, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in partnership.

13. Promotes that disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the country office’s workplans. Prepares sectoral input for the country programme documents, plan of action, annual work plans, and all related documents of the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response. Contributes towards the preparation of the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

A university degree in social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines.

Qualified candidates are also required to have at least 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and administration.

A strong advantage would also be to have developing country work experience.

Specialized training/experience in emergency response management would be highly desirable.

In addition candidates must be fluent in French and have a good level of English.

A key element of previous experience would be to have a good knowledge of the UN System.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are….

i)  Core Values (Required)

• Commitment

• Diversity and Inclusion

• Integrity

ii)  Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication  [II]

• Working with People  [II]

• Drive for Results  [II]

iii) Functional Competencies (Required)

• Leading and Supervising [II]

• Analyzing [II]

• Deciding and Initiating Action [III]

• Persuading and Influencing [III]

• Applying Technical Expertise [III]

• Planning and Organizing [II]

• Adapting and Responding Change [III]

• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks [III]

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date Fri Aug 02 2019 23:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)