Request from
OCHA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
Job Description
RLA-160-06-P110-01-V
1. General Information
Title:
Duration:
Date required:
Duty station:
Associate Expert in Emergency Preparedness
1 year (with possible extension for another year)
ASAP
Panama City, Panama
2. Supervision
Title of the supervisor:
Head of Regional Office
The Associate Expert (AE) will work under the direct supervision of the Head of
the Regional Office and in close collaboration with the Regional and National
Disaster Response Advisors (RDRAs & NDRAs) as well as the Information
Management Unit (IM).
Content and methodology of supervision: the AE will work in the Emergency
Response Team and will benefit from the technical advice from the Regional
Disaster Response Advisors. A monthly meeting as well as upon request, on
guidance, progress achievement and performance appraisal can be organized
to help the AE to better in carrying out its functions.
3. Duties, responsibilities and output expectations
The AE duties should be in line with the three Regional Offices activities
(preparedness, including early warning and contingency planning; support to
emergency response; and the development of regional coordination networks)
and within OCHA’s five core functions (information management, policy
development, coordination, advocacy and humanitarian financing).
The Associate Expert´s work will focus in three areas:
A. Information Management, Monitoring and Reporting
This section relates to information management functions, from collection of
disaster information to analyzing and disseminating information products (in
coordination with the IM unit).
B. Research and Data analysis
This area encompasses support to information collection around specific
projects and themes. Advocacy projects and campaigns (for example collecting
data and information on protection needs or on a project similar to the 2008
Panorama de Tendencias 10 años despues de Mitch).
C. Training and Workshop Support
This section focuses on supporting interagency disaster preparedness in events
through the preparation of materials (Emergency Plan Workshops, UNETE and
humanitarian trainings, UNDAC).
A. Information Management, Monitoring and Reporting
Background:
To manage emergency situations we need information on:
a) Disaster Impact
The information generated by the disaster itself (number of affected
population, main priorities, organizations responding, etc.)
b) Emergency preparedness
The information linked to the country
Duties:
 Monitor ongoing and new developments in disaster and emergency
situations and produce inputs for OCHA situation reports.
 Provide impact and needs assessment, information management,
coordination of relief operations and assist in the preparation of interagency appeals for emergency relief, situation reports and initial
rehabilitation.
 Participate in the creation and development of written literature
(brochures, power-point presentations, guidelines) on humanitarian
affairs topics
B. Research and Data analysis
Background:
The areas to be covered are: Country Information Profile document, a
Collecting Census Information for the countries, analysis of disasters trends in
the region, humanitarian trends and other analysis documents. This strategy
highlights the importance of working in collaboration with other agencies in the
region.
Duties:
 To collect all data to update information on the country profiles
 To analyze and keep current OCHA activities and the political and social
events that affects these activities within an assigned geographical area.
 Liaise with other agencies to improve inter-agency collaboration and sharing
of information.
 Participate in the development of studies and/or research on humanitarian
response topics
C. Training and Workshop Support on Disaster preparedness
This includes support follow-up actions determined in the priority countries / or
at regional level where interagency preparedness workshops will be held.
Duties:
 Support the IASC inter-agency contingency planning of in-country
preparedness capacity of UN agencies and of the Government.
 Provide support to UN technical teams and partners international
preparedness and response tools, especially those available through
OCHA, to address sudden onset emergencies.
 Work closely with OCHA Field Offices to identify, prioritize and address
humanitarian needs arising from sudden onset emergencies.
 Advise UNRCs on accessing and managing emergency funds, including
ERF’s and CERF, ensuring timely planning, management and reporting.
 Contribute and support the creation, collection, and compilation of
training materials
 Assist in the coordination and operational activities of the regional interagency group, REDLAC
 The Emergency preparedness methodology developed by the regional
OCHA office needs to be finalized.
4. Qualifications and experience
Education:
Advanced University degree (Master’s degree) in political
science, sociology, law, health, public or business
administration, international relations/studies, economics, or
in the related areas of studies.
Work experience: A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible relevant
professional experience
in management, emergency
preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management and/or
coordination, in rehabilitation and development areas, or in a
related field. The overall professional experience must
include at least 1 year of field experience based in crisisaffected countries and/or involving inter-agency coordination
in natural disasters and complex emergencies, including
humanitarian emergency efforts
Languages:
Excellent spoken and written English and Spanish are
required, and knowledge of French would be an asset.
Other skills:





Proven skills in analysis, negotiating, and leadership
Proven solid inter-personal and diplomatic skills
Proven experience on timely delivery of written reports
prepared in an accurate and concise manner
Computer literacy
Ability to work with minimum supervision, with efficiency,
competence and integrity with people of different national
background
UN competencies:
 Professionalism: Ability and experience across a broad range of
support functions, e.g., work programme, human resources, etc.
Knowledge and application of the UN systems and Staff Regulations
and Rules. High degree of commitment to ensure the proper use of the
organizations resources.
 Planning and Organizing: Effective organizational skills and ability to
prioritize own work programme and that of more junior staff.
 Commitment to continuous learning: Initiative and willingness to learn
new skills and become familiar with disaster preparedness and
response standards and approaches.
 Technological Awareness: Solid computer skills, including proficiency
and knowledge OCHAs operations, UN Rules and Regulations. Full
proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
and other IT applications
 Teamwork: works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve
organizational goals, Good interpersonal skills; ability to work in a
multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect
for diversity. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective
work relationships with budget/finance, human resource counterparts
and client departments.
 Communication: Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to
communicate effectively orally.
 Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
5. Learning elements
Learning elements result from the tasks the AE has to carry out during his/her
assignment. The learning elements in the job description should be defined in
the form of measurable results, for instance:
After the assignment the AE will be able to
 Write assessment reports
 Assess project proposals
 Draft project budgets according to UN standards
 Formulate job descriptions and project documents to address environmental
problems in the region
 To monitor progress in solving the industrial pollution problems and to
formulate remedial action proposals