Emergency Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been experiencing a protracted crisis lasting nearly three decades, compounded by climate shocks and recurrent health outbreaks. Since 2022, the situation has deteriorated drastically, especially in the two eastern provinces (Ituri and North Kivu) with spill over into a third (South Kivu), where armed conflicts and inter-communal clashes have caused unprecedented levels of humanitarian need. As a result, DRC now hosts over 6.3M IDPs, the highest caseload in Africa. Over 94% of displacements are due to armed attacks and clashes; as such over 6.1M IDPs (97%) are living in the eastern conflict-affected provinces alone, DRC also hosts over half a million refugees. The situation in eastern DRC remains highly complex given the multi-layered nature of the emergency with large scale and heavy fighting resuming on several fronts in the east after six-months of relative calm. This has resulted in significant population movements, deteriorating humanitarian situation, worsening protection situation for children and women as well as increased access constraints.
The impact of these crises on children and women is multi-faceted with serious concerns on the protection of children who bear the brunt of violence and displacement. Despite this very volatile and unpredictable environment, UNICEF and its partners continue to provide multi-sectoral support to the most vulnerable in the areas of WASH, child protection, health, education, essential goods, and nutrition ensuring that no child is left behind for all life-saving activities. In 2024, UNICEF will maintain its pivotal role as a front-line responder, prepared to deliver rapid, comprehensive, life-saving assistance and address the immediate and critical needs of vulnerable children, to ensure their multifaceted needs are effectively met. As crises occur, notably in Ituri province, UNICEF and partners deliver vital, life-saving assistance to mitigate urgent needs and alleviate immediate impact. UNICEF’s localized Rapid Response Mechanism (UniRR) addresses dynamic vulnerabilities resulting from population movements and natural disasters. UniRR, is one of the main Rapid Response programmes operating in Ituri.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Field Office Bunia, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Ensure solid implementation of UNICEF Rapid Response programme (UniRR) in close collaboration with UNICEF field offices and partners.

2. Contribute to regular operational analysis, identify areas of poor performance, bottlenecks, and identify solutions such as design improvements, additional trainings and technical support. Conduct or organise regular capacity building for partners and UNICEF colleagues.

3. Contribute to managing supply chain for UniRR in close cooperation with supply & logistics section.

4. Support regular budget monitoring and supervision in collaboration with partners.

5. Contribute to the donors’ reporting with quality and on time inputs about UniRR activities.

6. Work with UNICEF sections, in particular nutrition and health, to reinforce link between UniRR and other humanitarian programmes.

7. Participate to technical and coordination meetings to ensure wide visibility of UniRR with donors, humanitarian partners, clusters and local authorities.

8. Contribute to the production of reports and communication materials to share the achievements of UniRR in Ituri,

Emergency Preparedness

1. Contribute to ensure the field office adopt adequate emergency preparedness measures through the development and updating of contingency plans 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. Support coordination of the management of emergency preparedness and response. Emergency Response

3. 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.

4. Participates and assists with assessment of local emergency affecting children and mothers in the locality, 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. Support to determines corporate priorities and an appropriate intervention 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.

5. Support in applying the emergency preparedness and response plan as necessary. Support the timely delivery of assistance and procurement of supplies, monitors the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources/inputs. Identifies problems and constraints in order to ensure effective project delivery.

6. As needed, participates in all humanitarians related forum and keeps management informed of all humanitarian developments in the province in terms of, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in partnership.

7. Contribute to various reporting as needed

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priori-ties and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender. • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse back-grounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary.

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation international levels • At least two years of experience in complex emergencies in humanitarian related field • Experiences in complex emergency in particular for displacement and public health emergencies is an asset

Computer skills: Word, Excel, Powerpoint

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of five poorest countries in the World 2021 ([https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/drc/overview). Bunia is a non-family duty station with relatively high risk of armed robbery and theft. Good housing is available in Bunia. There is good connectivity to other major cities of the world and between other cities with daily flights taking of the Goma international airport. Social services are mostly available but must be paid for. A few private clinics accept CIGNA insurance. There are frequent power outages while the flow of tap water is quite stable. At least 4 mobile network operators exist providing 4G internet services. The DRC is a unique country and Bunia is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. There-fore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.