Emergency Specialist (Preparedness, Disaster Risk Reduction & Resilience), P-3, Bridgetown, Barbados

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 74,649 USD and 97,747 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a future

How can you make a difference?

Temporary Appointment Duration:

364 Days

Background:

UNICEF promotes the rights and welfare of all children and adolescents in everything we do. Together with our allies, we work in 190 countries and territories to transform this commitment into practical actions that benefit all children, especially focusing our efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, worldwide.

Natural hazards have long shaped the vulnerability of children across the Eastern Caribbean, one of the world’s most disaster-prone areas. However, over past decades, major environmental challenges have also emerged or intensified in the region, linked to climate change and various socio-economic developments, and necessitating urgent action. Considering the potential impact of natural disasters and the likelihood of these to increase in intensity in the years to come, UNICEF ECA is invested in strengthening its capacity in emergency preparedness, climate change adaption and resilience-building.

This Temporary Appointment (TA) is established in the context of a significant increase in UNICEF emergency response activities in the Eastern Caribbean. The Emergency Specialist (Preparedness, DRR & Resilience) TA will support the coordination of UNICEF’s emergency preparedness and response to emergencies as well as support the wider programme in DRR and climate change programming in the Eastern Caribbean.

The position will support both the coordination of the emergency response and also support development of a solid foundation for climate change programming in the Eastern Caribbean. This position will be in a key strategic position to support UNICEF in driving the preparedness, disaster risk reduction and resilience as well as climate change agendas forward, given the considerable size and complexity in the sub-region.

The Emergency Specialist- (Preparedness, DRR & Resilience) will supervise a small team and external consultants; and lead coordination across sectors. This position will also coordinate UNICEF’s emergency response when the team is deployed in response to emergencies.

Purpose of The Job:

Under the guidance of the Deputy Representative, the Emergency Specialist- (Preparedness, DRR & Resilience) will be responsible for the Outcome 4: Climate Engagement and Resilience and provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance to UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean’s programmes.

The position will support the mainstreaming of emergency preparedness, DRR, climate and resilience through important development sectors by supporting UNICEF’s sections (Social Protection, WASH, Education, Child Protection) with programme design, planning and implementation, management and stock-taking and evaluation of programme/project activities, data analysis and progress reporting. This includes providing support and developing sub-regional entities and Government’s capacities across several sectors, disaster preparedness, response and resilience as well as promoting child-centred DRR and CC approaches.

The Emergency Specialist - (Preparedness, DRR & Resilience) will be responsible to implement the multi-country office emergency preparedness and response. He/she will be responsible for the technical contribution to the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency interventions to advance the survival and well-being of children and mothers and affected communities in an emergency situation, and in line with the Core Commitments of children. In addition, the position will provide linkages to the Outcome on Climate Engagement and Resilience.

The Emergency Specialist - (Preparedness, DRR & Resilience) works closely with Programme staff and in close liaison with the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO) Emergency, CEED and WASH sections where applicable.

Key Functions, Accountabilities and Related Duties and Tasks:

1. Provides leadership and technical support in Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Provides technical support to UNICEF and key stakeholders in emergency preparedness measures, including development of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies. He/she ensures coordination of the management of emergency preparedness and response, including with key identified officers (WASH, LACRO and National Coordinators), in collaboration with national and sub-regional entities.
• Supports strengthening capacity of UNICEF and key stakeholders in emergencies preparedness and response and coordination – across identified sectors.
• Supports regular updates/review of UNICEF EPP and other emergency related tools.
• Leads the UN inter-agency contingency (UNETT) planning process and ensure that it is consistent with the UNICEF CCCs.
• During emergency operations, provide technical guidance to UNICEF (Representative, Deputy Representative, Heads of Sections, IRT and the National Coordinators (UNVs) to ensure effective emergency management with clear accountabilities.
• Provides leadership in implementing the emergency preparedness and response plan as necessary. Assists in identifying urgent staffing requirements and redeploying country office staff.
• Ensure continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison are maintained with CDEMA (including participating and reporting in the CDPG), Government/s, UN agencies (including the UNETT), NGOs, partners, etc. In the event of an emergency, promptly assists in collecting and communicating reliable information to verify the nature and extend of the emergency with staff, stakeholders, and to guide an appropriate response.
• Support partners (CDEMA and national entities) to conduct rapid assessments covering priority areas/requests.
• Follow up with the timely delivery of assistance and procurement of supplies, and monitors the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources.
• Support in the timely development of appeals (HAC), proposals, flash appeals, Sitreps and Snapshots to support UNICEF interventions/emergencies.
• Provide technical support to the L1-migrant response (and regional HAC), in line with UNICEF Core Commitments for Children.
• Management is kept informed of humanitarian developments in relevant policies, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in the country.

2. Provide technical support to Programme Outcome 4: Climate Change and Resilience and related Outputs

• Establish the annual work plan, including developing strategies, determining priorities, and performance measurements, with the Section.
• Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards, and reporting and reviews (mid-annual and annual).
• Support Education, Child Protection, SBC and Youth Engagement, Social Protection & Social Policy sections in identifying UNICEF’s focus areas linked to climate resilience, and support risk-informed programming in UNICEF Eastern Caribbean.
• EDUCATION: through Caribbean Safe School Initiative, and the CARICOM new school model.
• CHILD PROTECTION: support engagement regarding the child protection, in particular work regarding CPiE and also MHPSS due to climate change.
• SOCIAL POLICY: support the section in incorporation of national climate and environment vulnerability assessments and social safety systems.
• SOCIAL PROTECTION: support engagement regarding the climate resilient social protection systems and enhancing shock-responsive essential services provision.
• WASH: coordinate concept and proposal development jointly with Sectors for linkages –through school programmes/EiE, innovation in WASH in emergencies, climate resilient water safety planning and water management.
• PARTNERSHIPS: continue to foster and harness partnerships in the emergency, resilience and climate sphere for sustainable and scalable results, including the Business and Community Resilience project as well as Green Yoma. coordinate concept and proposal development jointly with internal and external stakeholders for accessing climate finance.

3. Management of partnerships and resource mobilization initiatives and capacity building

• Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNSDCF planning and preparation of programmes/projects, including emergency preparedness.
• Advocacy and communications. Participate and support country office representation in external, inter-agency or partner forums on Emergency Preparedness/Response, DRR and Resilience.
• Transfer and skill-sharing for programme partners. Help maintain partnerships with sub-regional entities, government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing and transfer of knowledge, skills and tools to foster and facilitate emergency preparedness/response, DRR and resilient programming.
• Support the Office to document localized partners and profiles. Contribute updates to a catalogue of country specific partners and their profiles/areas of engagement to promote and enhance emergency preparedness and response.
• Proposal and partnership development. Help identify opportunities for leveraging resources, and new partnerships and assist proposal and partnership development efforts.

4. Programme development, management, monitoring and delivery of results.

• Provide strategic and technical guidance, advice and inputs to UNICEF sections (Child Protection (CP), education, health and nutrition, social policy and operations) on all aspects emergency preparedness and response, and linkages to climate-change and adaptation.
• Support communication and policy advocacy regarding emergency preparedness and response, including climate change, DRR, and resilience building, and input into key documents and dialogues.
• Lead the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the emergency preparedness, child-climate risks, and private/public sector mapping in intervention to guide UNICEF programming (work plans interventions).
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare reports on results for required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programmes and management, identify and document lessons learned.
• Share lessons learned. Help identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned from simulations, emergency responses, and in the implementation of projects (BCR, CCRI for integration into programme planning, advocacy and communication efforts. In addition, contribute to Peer Support Networks.
• Monitoring, evaluation and learning. Work with PME to ensure documentation and clear monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for work plan interventions, including emergency responses.

Impact of Results:

The support provided by the Emergency Specialist, will be responsible to lead and coordinate the multi-country office emergency preparedness and response. He/she will be responsible for the leading the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency interventions to advance the survival, protection and well-being of children and people and affected communities in an emergency situation. This includes:

• Technical advice on emergencies, and programme management related to implementation of emergency preparedness measures are effectively provided.
• Emergency preparedness and response, and a consistent flow of information of the EPP risk scenarios/situation are effectively coordinated within the office.
• Substantive improvements are made in the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff and implementing partners through conduct of effective training activities.
• 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.
• Emergency appeals and project proposals are prepared, and concerted efforts are put forward to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding.
• Longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions are determined to build a regular operational and staffing structure.
• 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 CCCs.
• Emergency preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the ECA 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 Multi-Country Programme Document.
• Effective assistance is provided to the Deputy Representative, Heads of Sections, IRT and the National Coordinators (UNVs), in emergency operations oversight and programme management with clear accountabilities.
• In liaison with the Programme team, appeals and project proposals are prepared, and concerted efforts are put forward to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding
• In liaison with the Representative, Deputy Representative, HoS, IRT members and National Coordinators, ensure continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison are maintained with CDEMA (including the ECDPG), Government/s, UN agencies (including the UNETT), 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 CCCs.

In addition, the position will provide linkages to the Outcome on Climate Engagement and Resilience. He/she will also enable UNICEF ECA to achieve the DRR, Climate and Resilience related output results of the country programme. This, in turn, will contribute to the achievement of the outcome results of the country programme document. When done effectively, the achievement of the outcome results will improve child survival, growth and development and reduce inequalities in the country.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree, progressively responsible, job-related experience in in environment, climate change, environmental management, disaster risk reduction or related area. social and economic development or related area.
• A minimum of five years of professional work experience in emergency coordination and implementation of emergency response/s – across multiple partners and sectors.
• Proven ability to coordinate across multiple stakeholders in an emergency is required.
• In-depth experience in emergency coordination across sectors.
• Strong familiarity with emergency preparedness, response and resilience and donor landscape and priorities in these areas, in the Caribbean.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, advocacy and presentational skills.
• Knowledge on disaster risk reduction, resilience and climate change impacts, climate risk assessments is desirable.
• Experience in a UN organization, holding an emergency coordination and/or preparedness/response function is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English is required. Spanish is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others and (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.