Emergency Response National Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

This UNV assignment is part of the Emergency Response Section hosted by OCHA. ERS provides a suite of integrated operational readiness and response services to prepare for and respond to sudden-onset disasters and rapid deteriorations in existing emergencies. ERS works towards capacity building efforts with national emergency management agencies and regional organizations. Every effort is made to support localization of crisis management capabilities. The team works to ensure that operational readiness and response tools and services are optimally integrated. This project particularly aims to support the development of United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination System as well as the International Search and Rescue Advisory Board presence in the Asia-Pacific Region which deploy emergency response teams following a sudden-onset disaster. The UNV is expected to support the ERS Regional Focal Point in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific prior, during and after emergencies in the region.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Emergency Response Section Regional Focal Point for the Asia-Pacific Region or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the National Specialist UN Volunteer will:

• Support the Emergency Response Section (ERS), and in particular United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) and the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Regional Focal Point in the organization of regional meetings and training sessions. • Monitor, analyze and report on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in the Asia-Pacific Region, in close coordination with the OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP). • Assist the Regional Office following consultations with the ERS Regional Focal Point (RFP) on policy or policy-related issues as requested, including environmental emergency management, information platforms, and other activities. • Support the Regional Focal Point prior, during and after emergency response operations in the region. • Support the planning, preparations, delivery and follow-up of After-Action Reviews, which are conducted following emergency deployments and which are designed to improve the efficiency of relief teams' deployment. • Support the development of remote and in-person conferences and training modules planned for 2022, taking into consideration potential COVID-19-related implications. • Support the development of partnerships with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate emergency assistance programmes and help ensure that the latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, gender-related considerations, etc. are incorporated into these activities. • Help to build and maintain regional operational partnerships, especially with respect to UNDAC and INSARAG, and in close coordination with ROAP, to bolster OCHA's emergency coordination activities. • Prepare or contribute to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. draft sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence. • Support the establishment of clear information channels and that program delivery is designed to ensure outlined goals can be reached. • Assist in the management of relevant emergency response web coordination systems (Virtual On-Site Operations Coordination Center, ReliefWeb, designated MS Teams channels, etc.) which are essential for the coordination of different disaster management agencies in an emergency response. • Help to organize and participate in working groups, meetings, conferences and consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters. • Analyze and investigate the way information is presented and shared through the different existing systems with the aim of grouping and consolidating the data for its visualization, using Power BI. • Declassify information which is to be shared with the public while paying particular attention to confidential data and sources. • Track email communications. • Perform any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active ERS team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to the Regional Focal Point for the Asia-Pacific Region and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: Results/Outputs can be modified as appropriate; should not entirely mirror the task description but serve as a basis for workplan and deliverables] · The effective delivery of a wide range of administrative and office support functions as per UN administrative rules, regulations and guidelines. · Ensuring that swift and efficient support is provided to the ERS Regional Focal Point in the mobilization of emergency response teams in a sudden-onset emergency in the Asia-Pacific Region. · Mapping and following-up on key findings and lessons learned from emergency mission After Action reviews. · Completing the preparation and delivery of concept notes, course training plans, session plans and all materials relevant to the virtual exercise tool. · Providing a comprehensive analysis of the data extracted from ERS units’ repositories (and particularly INSARAG and UNDAC) relevant to the region. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to OCHA; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to OCHA’s procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and OCHA in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: • Planning and organizing: • Communication: • Flexibility:

International Relations or area related to Political Science. • professional work experience at the national and/or international level in the areas of disaster management, research, training and event organization or other relevant programmes; experience with partners is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: Good knowledge of OCHA’s mandate; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in emergency response deployments and coordination of relief teams volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

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