Terms of reference for a Regional Disaster Management Coordinator

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference RDMC 1 (8) Terms of reference for a Regional Disaster Management Coordinator Post Title: Regional Disaster Management Coordinator (RDMC) Duty Station: Kabul, Afghanistan. Duty travel in Afghanistan and to nearby countries is to be expected. Duration: 16 months Requesting agency: UNISDR.The RDMC will be hosted by UNDP in Afghanistan and managed by MSB and UNISDR. Summary The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) is a Swedish government agency mandated to enable and support international partners to handle crises and disasters before, during and after an event. The MSB have supported various UN agencies, EU and national disaster agencies with highly trained professionals in disaster management and humanitarian assistance for more than 20 years and have extensive experience in the region. MSB is part of the Heart of Asia Capacity Building Measures in Disaster Management group as a technical implementer. MSB is, upon request from the office for the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and in coordination with Afghanistan National Disaster Management Agency (ANDMA), UNDP and other stakeholders in the Heart of Asia process, currently recruiting a Regional Disaster Management Coordinator (RDMC) whom will be stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan. The expert will be hosted by UNDP, managed by MSB, and work under the guidance of UNISDR and UNDP and in collaboration with ANDMA to ensure collaboration and support in activities. The RDMC will primarily report to MSB and UNISRD. The purpose of the operation is to strengthen the capacity of ANDMA in the coordination of the disaster management and capacity building activities in the Heart of Asia region, with the particular focus on building disaster management capacity in Afghanistan using the established platforms and networks to ensure that disaster management activities in Afghanistan occur in a strategic, progressive and step-wise manner. Highly skilled experts in disaster management with strong international coordination experience from the UN are encouraged to apply. MSB offers a competitive salary and benefits and expert will be absorbed by the UNDSS security arrangements in Afghanistan. MSB-51.1

2 Terms of Reference RDMC 2 (8) Background context The Central Asia region is highly exposed to natural disasters such as floods, prolonged droughts, landslides, avalanches, extreme heat and cold and earthquakes. For Afghanistan, such events exacerbate the country s existing vulnerabilities such as weak governance and physical infrastructure and a population that struggles to recover from shocks caused by decades of conflict, political instability and poverty. Addressing the challenges brought about through disasters is essential to stability and security in Afghanistan and the region more broadly. One key intergovernmental process that is addressing the issue of disasters in Afghanistan and the surrounding region is the Istanbul Process. In 2011, the Istanbul Ministerial Process was established to provide a platform to discuss regional issues among Afghanistan and its neighbors. This region-led dialogue focusses on six priority Confidence Building Measures, one of which being the Disaster Management (DM CBM). Since 2011, a number of countries have provided support to this DM CBM through activities such as training. The DM CBM technical meeting in Astana in September 2013 identified a need for a technical group of experts to strategically plan and work with Heart of Asia participant and supporter countries on the design of the next phases of activities to ensure that they most effectively meet the needs of the Heart of Asia region, particularly Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) is mandated to coordinate and manage all aspects of disaster management including risk reduction, preparedness, warning dissemination, response including search and rescue and recovery. Since ANDMA s establishment 37 years ago, the organization has undergone several re-locations within the Afghan Government. Recently ANDMA was upgraded to Ministerial level by official decree and allocated an independent budget. A UNDP capacity report in 2010 and a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) report in 2013 identified a lack of internal capacity as a key challenge for ANDMA and disaster management in Afghanistan. ANDMA themselves have also recognized this as a key area for improvement. To address the capacity challenge, a number of UN agencies, NGOs and governments are working to build the capacity of ANDMA to address disasters through implementing programs in risk reduction, preparedness, search and rescue and recovery. ANDMA is the nodal body for coordinating all affairs of disasters, an independent general directorate directly under the office of President of Islamic republic of Afghanistan with following roles and responsibilities: Convening the meetings of the National Commission, serve at its Secretariat. Convening periodically the national and provincial platform(s). Mobilizing Rapid Response Force to carry out assessments, coordination and provide additional support Province level ANDMA offices in disaster situations

3 Terms of Reference RDMC 3 (8) Mobilizing and facilitating immediate humanitarian assistance to communities affected by disasters. Developing disaster management plan at national and provincial level with the participation of all stakeholders. Monitoring the implementation of all disaster management plans by the DM actors Providing regular reporting on DM activities to National Commission. Maintaining & sharing the Disaster Management Information System. Promoting capacity building efforts in DM across the country Recommend to the National Commission, as well as monitor use of the National Emergency Fund. Recommending policy direction to the national DM committee. Networks have also been established to support coordination. For example, the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is a multi-stakeholder platform established in The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN OCHA have been working with Afghanistan for many years in disaster management and risk reduction to build capacity and support coordination. These organizations are also engaged and have activities as a part of the DM CBM. Duties and responsibilities of the RDMC The RDMC is expected to carry out the following: 1. Support the coordination of the design and delivery of disaster management programs occurring in Afghanistan and the Heart of Asia region Leads the formation and coordination of a small group of experts to guide and provide technical input to, the Istanbul Process DM CBM, taking guidance from DM CBM co-leads, Kazakhstan and Pakistan, ANDMA, and other participant and supporter countries; Monitors the implementation of DM CBM activities and presents progress at DM CBM technical meetings and reports broader progress and presents a policy advisory report on a four monthly basis Connects ANDMA and donor countries in a dialogue to assist in the development and implementation of programs that are timely, effective and needs based; Builds the capacity of Afghan Ministries and Agencies in engaging in regional programs on disaster management; Assists ANDMA in engaging effectively with the relevant Ministries. This includes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (lead Ministry in Afghanistan for the Istanbul Process) and MRRD (potentially through the National Commission for Emergency and Disaster Management) in coordinating and supporting disaster management efforts;

4 Terms of Reference RDMC 4 (8) Assists and builds the capacity of ANDMA to convene meetings of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, utilizing the forum to review the Strategic National Action Plan (SNAP) and support coordination; Participates as part of the UNDP regional country team The RDMC may be requested to other duties as requested by MSB or UNISDR. 2. Technical support in the design and implementation of disaster management programs (including risk reduction, preparedness and response) occurring in Afghanistan and regionally Prepares an assessment report of disaster management programs in and bordering Afghanistan using a consultative approach Provides technical advice and assistance to ANMDA, UN agencies (e.g. UNDP, OCHA) and donors in the design and implementation of disaster management programs in and bordering Afghanistan, with the Istanbul Process DM CBM a particular focus through the development of a 6- monthly disaster management coordination document Contributes technical expertise to the UN development assistance framework to ensure that disaster management requirements are integrated appropriately in Afghanistan. Works with key staff in Afghanistan including the UNDP Resilience Specialist and Climate Change Adaption Advisor. Assists ANDMA in the development of regional and national strategic plans, whilst building organizational capacity in planning and program design Provides ANDMA with support in their contribution to discussions on the next phase of the Hyogo Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction Reporting The RDMC will primarily report to MSB and UNISDR on a monthly basis. The RDMC are expected to report on results regularly to Heart of Asia disaster management group or as requested by the groups lead nations. MSB specific related tasks: Representing MSB towards national and international agencies and organizations active in the area (e.g. embassies, UN, EU, IFRC) Monthly reports to the MSB project manager regarding operational and financial issues concerning the Swedish contribution.

5 Terms of Reference RDMC 5 (8) Selection criteria Core competencies Education A minimum of a University Master s degree or in disaster management, international relations, development, anthropology or similar. Experience A minimum of 8-10 years of proven professional experience in international coordination context and experience in disaster risk reduction/ disaster management programs; Professional experience with the UN system or similar and/ or interagency mechanisms; Relevant experience in training, knowledge management and communication at national or international level; Previous work experience in Afghanistan or in the region is an asset. Language Requirements: Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required; working language of other UN official language (preferably Russian) is an asset. Competencies BUILDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved RESOURCE MOBILIZATION Supports ANDMA in the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy Uses knowledge of donors and successful programmes and projects to assist ANDMA in contributing to fund raising and resource mobilization strategies PROMOTING ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING Developing tools and mechanisms Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches

6 Terms of Reference RDMC 6 (8) Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms JOB KNOWLEDGE/ TECHNICAL EXPERTISE: Demonstrates a good understanding of the Subject-matter Understands aspects of crisis prevention and recovery as well as the fundamental concepts of capacity development Keeps abreast of new developments in area of crisis prevention and recovery and seeks to develop him/herself professionally Demonstrates understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments CLIENT ORIENTATION Contributing to positive outcomes for the client Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services Ethics & Values: Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status. Demonstrates strong gender awareness and Afghan cultural sensitivity; Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment. Understands the structure and hierarchy of UN/UNDP, process flows throughout the organization, products and services, their measures of effectiveness, and perceptions of clients; Developing & Empowering People/Coaching and Mentoring: Self-development, initiative-taking. Takes appropriate risk in developing new or adapting existing methods and approaches to more effectively perform tasks or to solve problems in new and unique ways; Working in Teams: Acting as a team player and facilitating team work; Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals; Communicating Information and Ideas:

7 Terms of Reference RDMC 7 (8) Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively. Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner; Self-Management & Emotional Intelligence: Creating synergies through self-control. Appropriate and Transparent Decision-making: Informed and transparent decision making; Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions; Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively; Conflict Management/Negotiating & Resolving Disagreements: Managing conflict. Remains calm, composed and patient, regardless of his/her own state of mind in the face of conflict; MSB Contractual conditions MSB enables and supports other actors to handle disasters and crises before, during and after an event. MSB never takes over the responsibility from a partner. MSB have an average of 80 staff out in more than 30 countries per week on various operations and MSB employs staff from most countries. Each operation has its own project manager who guides and supports the staff. MSB field staff are expected to possess a high level of professionalism and personal maturity and the expert understands that she/he represents the core values of MSB of gender equality, human rights and the humanitarian impartiality in a multi-cultural environment. The expert will demonstrate a high level of sensitivity and respect for the host nation, and its population, as well as the working colleagues. The MSB operations are often located in conflict areas and working in difficult and demanding conditions under pressure are to be expected. Therefore staff should be highly flexible, be open minded and have both excellent analytical and communicative skills. MSB offers a highly competitive salary and benefits. While on mission MSB cover all costs for travel to and from duty station, accommodation, security arrangements, insurances, per diem and holiday travel. Upon completion of the operation MSB offers the field staff in-depth high quality trainings on various topics in collaboration with for example UN and requests for new missions. Security The RDMC will be part of the UNDSS security arrangements in Afghanistan. MSB has extensive experience of sending experts to conflict areas and have own security advisors and duty officers that monitor the area 24/7. All field staff will

8 Terms of Reference RDMC 8 (8) be equipped with all safety equipment deemed necessary for the operational area (including satellite phones, gps etc.). MSB values the safety and well-being of the field staff while on operation and all field staff has access to medical and psychosocial support 24/7 from Sweden. If security situation is deemed too dangerous the MSB will, in coordination with requesting and hosting agency, take the appropriate measures for the safety and well-being of the staff. Application To apply for the position go to and register your CV on MyPages. Please note; the information that you provide on MyPages will form the basis for your CV thus for the primary scan be very detailed about your experiences. You are also required to send your CV to monica.eliasson@msb.se and label the with: RDMC Afghanistan. For more information go to The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency strives for equality in all operations and to avoid any form of discrimination. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. Before being contracted by MSB you must undergo a pre-employment medical examination by a licensed physician and you must inform your regular employer of your potential assignment with the MSB.