Vacancy No: 2013-60-fld
Application Deadline: 23 May 2013
Date of issue: 9 May 2013
Place of assignment: Nairobi, Kenya
Accompanied status: Accompanied with
Spouse and Children
Organization Unit/Department/Division: Reg.
Rep. East Africa, Nairobi
Duration of assignment: 12 months
Background:
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's
largest humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 187 member
National Societies. The Organisation acts before, during and after disasters and health
emergences in order to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. Our work is
guided by seven fundamental principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence,
voluntary service, unity and universality) and by Strategy 2020, which voices our collective
vision and determination to move forward in tackling the major challenges that confront
humanity in the present decade.
Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's
largest humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 187 member
National Societies. The Organization acts before, during and after disasters and health
emergencies in order to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. Our work is
guided by seven fundamental principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence,
voluntary service, unity and universality) and by Strategy 2020, which voices our collective
vision and determination to move forward in tackling the major challenges that confront
humanity in the present decade.
The Eastern Africa Region is characterized by the complexity of slow and rapid onset
emergencies, with some of the worst humanitarian statistics in the world. The national Societies
in the region have been engaged in humanitarian operations responding to various types of
disasters while also undertaking initiatives to build community resilience and addressing
underlying causes. The National Societies of the region are also at various levels of capacities
and face different challenges, which require IFRC, support in program, organizational
development, humanitarian diplomacy, and reporting and resource mobilization. The region has
been a focus for humanitarian actors, which require IFRC engagement in coordination and
advocacy to influence humanitarian and development agendas.
Purpose of position:
Reporting to the Regional Disaster Management Coordinator, the Disaster Management Delegate
will ensure overall guidance and support to the implementation of the regional, medium-term DM
strategic plan/framework, co-ordination of the Federation's support to DM within the region.
The role of the Disaster Management Delegate is to provide support to National Societies in East
Africa in DM development of structure and capacity and provide leadership for the international
coordination and support for the management of International Federation disaster assistance in
support of an affected National Society in the Eastern Africa region. He/she works collectively
and closely with national societies, to significantly reduce the impact of disasters and health
emergencies through effective capacity building for and coordination of relief operations,
response preparedness, and recovery activities. The role further ensures the quality of the
response, response preparedness and recovery planning that is carried out.
The Disaster Management Delegate provides efficient and effective Federation support to host
National Societies in predicting and responding to sudden and slow onset disasters and health
emergencies. The Disaster Management Delegate is the main point of contact for participating
National Societies and external partners on all operational and developmental issues. The
Disaster Management Delegate will normally follow an emergency operation until the appeal is
closed.
The Disaster Management Delegate directly contributes to building capacity and coordination of
response preparedness to strengthen and effectively reduce and mitigate the impact of disasters
and health emergencies. He/she provides support for response preparedness to National Societies
to assist in building their capacity to quickly provide relief and to initiate early recovery that
restores or improves pre-disaster living conditions.
Description of Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Disaster response Management:
-Plan for, coordinate and implement the Federation's support to National Societies to enable them
undertake disaster response operations and in Eastern Africa.
-Assist National Societies in planning and responding to humanitarian needs and to enhance
community resilience by providing DM support, mobilizing technical support and accessing and
utilizing IFRC's disaster management tools (DREFs, emergency Appeals etc.) in accordance with
approved plans, procedures and policies.
-In coordination with relevant IFRC levels (including the Zone), manage the Emergency Appeal
and DREF request processes at the regional level and make final recommendations as to scope
and content of appeals / plans of action in line with standard operating procedures and assure
emergency appeals contain quality activities for relief to recovery activities.
-In coordination with relevant IFRC levels (including the Zone), monitor and review disaster
response operations to ensure compliance to plans and international humanitarian standards.
-Provide input to regional operations updates.
-Backstop national societies in implementing operations when is needed.
-Ensure Adequate reporting of field operations and assist NSs in delivering timely and good
quality reports.
Capacity building:
-Plans for, coordinate and implement the Federation's support to National Societies to enable
them undertake disaster response operations and in Eastern Africa and Indian Ocean islands.
-Develop, organize and deliver Disaster Management-related training to NSs staff and volunteers,
and coordinate with and support PNSs in undertaking capacity building initiatives.
-Advocate for and build capacities to utilize new technologies, approaches, policies, strategies,
SOPs.
-DM Delegate will be a focal point to specific NSs (as per discussions and agreement with the
EA DM Coordinator) on issues related to DM.
-Ensure Federation support to preparedness is carried out in priority countries based on risk
profile, NS capacity, commitment and interest.
-Support relevant Disaster Preparedness programmes at sub-national, national and regional
levels.
-Ensure processes and training for NS to develop and maintain proper mechanisms,
organisational, management and other structures and systems for managing emergencies (e.g.
contingency plans based on the national disaster risk analysis, assessment guidelines, reporting
mechanisms etc.)
-Expand and strengthen regional and NS human resources by supporting NS in establishing their
own national and branch level disaster response teams and supporting the regional disaster
response team concept (RDRT) in coordination with the Regional DMC.
-Ensure processes and training for NS to develop their own disaster preparedness and selfreliance at national level, for communities most at-risk.
-In consultation with the Regional DMC, to support national societies and regional Disaster
Management planning meetings for national/regional/global interaction.
-Ensure the zone's office, regional and national representations are informed by existing
international early warning systems such as DMIS and FEWSNet, and that action plans,
including notification of national societies, are established and followed in case an early warning
is received.
-Support NSs to establish Community Based Early Warning Systems (CBEWS), to complement
National, Regional and Global EWS.
Reporting, lessons learnt and knowledge sharing:
-Ensure accurate and timely reports for the Federation and for donors according to approved
guidelines.
-Utilise appropriate information management tools such as FedNet and DMIS in disseminating
Disaster Management related information.
-Ensure that lessons learnt and good practice from disaster management in the continent are
compiled and used to improve future planning, programming and implementation, that they are
shared within the region as well as with the Zone DM Unit for wider dissemination, that best
practices publications are developed and incorporate such learning from other regions.
-Ensure a good working relationship with the ICRC counterparts in the region as appropriate.
Recovery:
-Ensure that Federation led disaster recovery operations are based upon holistic assessment of
needs and integrated approaches to programming.
-Support National Societies to analyse and integrate food security and livelihoods, disaster risk
reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation concerns into disaster preparedness,
response and recovery programming.
-Assist organizational disaster preparedness through risk capacity mapping, emergency
assessment training, National/Branch disaster response teams, WPNS and relief distribution
modalities.
-Engage with partner national societies on recovery in operations and applied lessons learned.
-Assist NSs to develop contingency plans for imminent disaster risks and support regular
community based contingency planning and preparedness in communities at high risk of
disasters.
Duties applicable to all staff:
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Actively work towards the achievement of the Secretariat's goals.
Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross Red Crescent principles.
Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the
line manager.
Position Requirements
Education:
University Degree in Disaster Management or equivalent
Red Cross IMPACT Course
Experience:
5 years of relevant working experience in coordinating complex humanitarian operations
internationally and or in the region.
Good understanding of the common global humanitarian environment.
At least 3 years of work experience with Red Cross/Red Crescent.
Demonstrable experience in meeting deadlines and working in stressful conditions.
Knowledge and Skills:
In-depth knowledge of complex DM operations coordination.
Strong project coordination skills.
Excellent communications skills and public diplomacy.
Problem solving and project coordination skills.
Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spread sheets, word-processing, email, etc.).
Valid international driving licence (manual gears).
Good analytical skills and capacity to translate analysis into action.
Broad understanding of RCRC activities.
Languages:
Fluently spoken and written English.
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).
Competencies:
National Society Relations
Results Orientation
Integrity
Teamwork
Communications