Emergency Specialist

Volunteering Legal

Overview

Support the management of UNICEF Rapid Response in Tanganyika Province.

You have:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national levels in humanitarian program/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration.
• Operational experiences in emergency response, in particular on a rapid response program, is mandatory.
• Complex emergency work experience.
• Specialized training and experience in emergency response management highly desirable.
• Excellent writing skills in French and proven experience in writing for different target audiences.
• Good level of written and spoken English.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines, multi-task and work effectively under pressure and in a proactive manner.
• Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment.
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with UNICEF’s partners (government, implementing partners, private sector, other UN agencies, etc).
• Willingness to travel within Tanganyika province, often in uncomfortable conditions.

Contract

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UNICEF has worked for 70 years in 190 countries to promote children’s survival, protection, and development, providing vaccines, health and nutrition services, water and sanitation, education, and child protection, funded entirely by voluntary contributions. In the DRC, the UNICEF office in Kalemie covers Tanganyika Province, which has a population of about 3.48 million and is administratively divided into six territories and multiple local governance units.

Since May 2022, intercommunal violence—particularly in Nyunzu territory—has decreased due to government and humanitarian interventions. However, insecurity persists due to unresolved root causes of conflict, tensions between Bantu and Twa communities, militia incursions, and the presence of armed groups, including Maï-Maï Kata Katanga, which has caused recent population displacement. As of November 2023, nearly 180,000 people had returned home, while more than 320,000 remain displaced.

The gradual closure of IDP sites has led to the relocation of displaced populations into designated villages, where humanitarian actors apply resilience and peacebuilding approaches. Nonetheless, weak state presence, delayed implementation of the DDRC-S program, and cross-border armed group activity continue to undermine stability.

Tanganyika Province also faces major public health challenges, including recurrent cholera and measles outbreaks, and a high risk of vaccine-derived poliovirus transmission. Due to ongoing poliovirus circulation, Tanganyika has been identified as a priority province for intensified eradication efforts. Additionally, the province is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, particularly flooding caused by heavy rains affecting Lake Tanganyika and the Congo River.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Field Office in Kalemie, this position is to support the emergency team in Tanganyika notably on the management of UNICEF Rapid Response (UniRR). The incumbent is to contribute to the qualitative, efficient and effective implementation of UniRR as well as monitoring. The UN Volunteer Emergency Officer will undertake the following tasks:

1- Support UniRR implementation in Tanganyika • Support implementation of the UniRR program in Tanganyika in collaboration with implementation partners, ensure capacity building in context analysis. • Provide technical advice to the field teams and partners in general for the implementation of UniRR core group of activities. • Monitor the progress of the implementation through analysis of log frame indicators. • Support the partners’ team in post-intervention monitoring activities and in the external/internal communication of the program. • Monitor and support the UniRR information’s system (Drive and Activity info) • Participate in the coordination of interventions between WFP and Unicef for the complementarity of assistance. • Participate in the coordination platforms of humanitarian responses following the orientations validated by the emergency section manager.

2- Support UNICEF Emergency preparedness and responses in Tanganyika • In collaboration with partners, prepare documentation and recommendation for effective implementation of core activities through regular analysis of context and taking into account the level of security where operations are taking place. • Participate to field visit during evaluation and/or intervention to support the partners teams and to complete the field context analysis and security follow-up; In the event of an emergency, the incumbent is deployed immediately with the intervention team to establish UNICEF’s presence and implement the initial operational tasks related to emergency assistance. • Support needs assessment, targeting, delivery of assistance as well as post-delivery monitoring. • To lead and coordinate preparation and responses plans to potential crisis in link with others UNICEF section. • Identifies problems and constraints in order to ensure effective project delivery and communicate its observations and analysis to the emergency specialist. • Upon return, provide feedback on each response with the aim of improving the program. • Ensure that supplies are well dispatched to each hub without interruption. • Collaborate with section on the need for post-emergency activities which should be validated through a plan validated by the concerned managers. • Analyzes and proposes strategic solutions in the implementation of emergency responses and is available to support responses as needed. • Provides contextual and needs analysis on emergency situations in the province (all types of emergencies). • To work with government partner/DIVIAH.

Results/expected outputs: • UniRR partners capacities are reinforced to ensure achievement of main programmatic objectives.
• All results’ indicators are met through a regular monitoring of all program activities. • Analysis on contexts are developed and communicated • Data collection and analysis system is developed to inform the program in general and to ensure proper delivery of assistance. • Emergency Preparedness Plan for Kalemie office is developed and regularly updated.

• Diversity and inclusion: Treats all people with dignity and respect; shows respect and sensitivity towards gender, cultural and religious differences; challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace; encourages diversity wherever possible.

• Integrity: Maintains high ethical standards; takes clear ethical stands; keeps promises; immediately addresses untrustworthy or dishonest behaviour; resists pressure in decision-making from internal and external sources; does not abuse power or authority.

• Commitment: Demonstrates commitment to UNICEF’s mission and to the wider UN system; demonstrates the values of UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours; seeks out new challenges, assignments and responsibilities; promotes UNICEF’s cause.

• Communication: Speaks fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; presents information with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience; presents information in a well-structured and logical way.

• Working with people: Shows respect for the views and contributions of other team members; shows empathy; listens, supports and cares for others; consults others and shares information and expertise with them; builds team spirit and reconciles conflict; adapts to the team and fits in well.

• Drive for results: Sets high standards for quality of work; monitors and maintains quality of work; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals; focuses on the needs and satisfaction of internal and external partners; accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national levels in humanitarian program/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration. • Operational experiences in emergency response, in particular on a rapid response program, is mandatory. • Complex emergency work experience • Specialized training and experience in emergency response management highly desirable.

The incumbent must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who supports UNICEF with professionalism, dedication, and client orientation, and who must be willing both to work on programmatic/substantive aspects and to provide operational/logistical services. The following qualifications are required: • Excellent writing skills in French and proven experience in writing for different target audiences. • Good level of written and spoken English. • Ability to work under tight deadlines, multi-task and work effectively under pressure and in a proactive manner. • Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment. • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with UNICEF’s partners (government, implementing partners, private sector, other UN agencies, etc) and excellent working relationships with colleagues across all UNICEF’s sections in the DRC. • Willingness to travel within Tanganyika province, often in uncomfortable conditions.

The UNICEF office in Kalemie has a staff of about 28 people, including permanent, fixed terms, temporary staff, consultants and volunteers. The office is in the province of Tanganyika and ensures the programmatic coordination of the province. The office environment is friendly and promotes multicultural integration and learning.

The DRC is a complex and challenging country. 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. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Tanganyika road infrastructure is poor and therefore air travel is necessary to get to many of the sites where UNICEF’s implementing partners operate. Mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is limited, but available in all UNICEF’s offices. Travel to field sites will be required where living conditions are basic. There are a number of health services available with several evacuation options for serious illnesses. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods.

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Potential interview questions

Added 7 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: unv.org