Disaster Response Management Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO is a member of the Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG), and in collaboration with the government, UN-organizations and development partners, began supporting both the host communities and Rohingya population in building livelihoods and skill development as well as in ensuring environmental integrity in Cox’s Bazar from October 2017.

The ISCG coordinates the refugee response in Cox’s Bazar that is host to over 900,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar residing in 33 camps. In 2022, it comprises staff from seven organizations that coordinate and support over 100 national and international Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and UN agencies to: (1) work towards the sustainable repatriation of refugees; (2) strengthen the protection of refugees; (3) deliver life-saving assistance; (4) foster the well-being of Bangladeshi host communities; and (5) strengthen disaster risk reduction (DRR) and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The ISCG supports inter-sectoral coordination, cross-cutting issues (such as Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), humanitarian access, emergency preparedness and response, external relations, and information management), and coordination of activities that are not situated with one specific agency in the response such as development assistance. The ISCG works closely with the Government of Bangladesh in Cox’s Bazar, the nine UN agencies, the numerous international and national NGOs, the sectors and working groups, and the donor community. While transitioning from an emergency to a protracted crisis, this operation is not stagnant but rather, remains vibrant, agile, yet challenging.

The Principal Coordinator of the ISCG (appointed by UNHCR) reports to the co-chairs – UNRC, UNHCR, IOM – of the Strategic Executive Group (SEG). S/he and the team creates strategic linkages between the Sector/Working Group Coordinators Group in Cox’s Bazar, the Heads of Sub-Offices Group (HoSOG) in Cox’s Bazar, and the SEG in Dhaka comprising of UN agencies, NGOs, and donors. The ISCG leads the development of the Joint Response Plan (JRP), in addition to other strategic operational plans and strategies that provide frameworks for operations and engagement. The JRP is pivotal to the coordination of the response, not least to ensure strategic assessments, planning, resource mobilization, and reporting.

Reporting Lines

The Disaster Response Management (DRM) Specialist is an SC 11 position and will report directly to the Crisis Response Officer, under the overall guidance of the ISCG Deputy Coordinator and the ISCG Principal Coordinator. This is a two-year post funded by Global Affairs Canada and administered by FAO.

Technical Focus

The DRM Specialist will support the planning and implementation of related activities, as well as the incorporation of the evidence generated thus far for improved programming. He/ She will roll out DRM Strategies across Cox’s Bazar while interacting with project stakeholders in the execution of the projects

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the ISCG Deputy Coordinator and Crisis Response Officer with the coordination of projects under Strategic Objective 5 in the annual Joint Response Plans to strengthen disaster risk management and mitigate adverse impacts on the environment associated with, or exacerbated by, the Rohingya refugee response. • Identify current and emerging disaster risk factors, their underlying causes and actions that could help reduce the impacts of future environmental-related hazards. • Support operational decision-making and planning in the Rohingya refugee response by assessing existing data and plans in order to validate DRR and climate action priorities and identify any gaps in the planned interventions. • Harmonize data collection efforts on DRR and DRM by partners to strengthen reporting in the Rohingya refugee response in Cox’s Bazar. • Develop a data sharing framework on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM)/ DRM among partners in Cox’s Bazar that ensures seamless exchange and smooth implementation of related projects. • In coordination with the Energy and Environment Technical Working Group (EETWG), engage with a wide range of partners at the national and local levels on DRR, environment and climate change issues in the framework of relevant initiatives, including partners in the humanitarian sector response as well as relevant DRR development partners in Cox’s Bazar. • Serve as the focal point in ISCG to liaise with key partners engaged in the UN joint SAFE 2 project and other relevant initiatives. • Draft, review and coordinate the production of documents, factsheets and reports on DRR/DRM and climate action in the context of the annual Joint Response Plan for donors and government counterparts, the international community, and other stakeholders. • Support monitoring and evaluation of the projects related to DRR and climate action in the Joint Response Plan. • Support ISCG’s advocacy with local government officials on DRR and DRM related issues in the Rohingya refugee response in Cox’s Bazar. • Under the guidance of the Crisis Preparedness Officer, facilitate collaboration and coordination among all partners and with local government authorities on DRR and DRM related issues related to the Rohingya refugee response in Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka (e.g. UN Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT)). • Coordinate knowledge and information exchange to promote learning among DRR and DRM partners in Cox’s Bazar. • Support in the assessment of funding gaps related to DRR and DRM. • Perform other duties as may be assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree required in emergency response, disaster planning, international development, development studies, climate change resilience, food security, agriculture or related discipline with expertise in disaster risk management is desired. • Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in emergency response, disaster planning, monitoring and evaluation and project management • National of Bangladesh • Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevant work experience DRR applied to natural resource management, environment, climate change, food security, agriculture,, emergency and resilience programmes; • Excellent knowledge of DRR tools and methodologies applied in natural resource management, food security, resilience and agricultural interventions and contingency planning for Hazards and disasters within the refugee context • Leadership abilities, communication skills, analytical skills, research abilities, and decision-making skills • Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook); • Experience in programming in UN agencies is preferred. • Ability to perform in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary context; • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Bangla; and • Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision.

Selection Criteria

• Experience in working in disaster preparedness, response, rehabilitation and planning in Bangladesh; • Experience in conflict sensitive environment would be an asset; • Field experience in implementation and coordination of DRR mainstreaming programme with relevant government institutions in Bangladesh

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.