Regional disaster management coordinator

Purpose of Position

Reporting to the Regional Representative and with a technical reporting line to the Zone Disaster Management Coordinator, the Regional Disaster Management Coordinator (DMC) will ensure overall guidance and support to the implementation of the regional, medium-term DM (Disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response) strategic plan/framework and co-ordination of the Federation's support to emergency operations within the region and the regional logistics.

The DMC will supervise the DM Unit staff.

Description of Duties

Policy and planning

- Develop a region-wide, medium-term DM strategic plan, based on risk and WPNS analysis, including National Society (NS) and regional capacity building in risk reduction, preparedness, response and recovery, DM information systems, and other disaster reduction measures.
- Co-ordinate technical support to NS in the region to prepare their DP/R policies in line with Federation-wide and regional policies and strategies in close coordination with Zone DMC, and governmental DM policy frameworks, where they exist.
- Support NS to become integrated within governmental frameworks, with clear roles and responsibilities assigned to them by their governments through legislation or decrees. If no framework exists, support the NS to lobby for establishment of such policies.
- Support NS to link with other agencies (UN, NGOs) on DM plans in their country.
- Represent the Federation in disaster management with national and regional authorities in East Africa, NS, ICRC, international and national organizations, and donor governments.

Preparedness

- Ensure Federation support to preparedness is carried out in priority countries based on risk profile, NS capacity, commitment and interest.
- Support relevant DP programmes at sub-national, national and regional levels, including conflict preparedness elements, supported by the ICRC.
- 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 Zone DMC. Ensure management of the RDRT data base and training as required.
- Ensure processes and training for NS to develop their own disaster preparedness and self-reliance at national level, for communities most at-risk.
- Ensure support to NS to improve national fund-raising possibilities and technical partnerships with relevant agencies in preparedness for emergencies and disaster reduction.
- Develop and maintain networks and partnerships for disaster reduction with global and regional key players.
- In consultation with technical departments in the Zone Office and the regional programme co-coordinator ensure appropriate annual NS and regional DM planning meeting for national/regional/global interaction.

Emergency Response

- Through support to the Operations' Manager, ensure the regional delegation's DM unit's activation, guidance and support to necessary disaster response is available to National Societies during emergency operations. This could include the use of Federation disaster management tools such as FACT, RDRT, ERU and DREF.
- Contribute to the operational co-ordination of the Movement response through the proactive communication with possible operations manager and Task Force, utilisation of activated field management structures, participation to possible regional interagency co-ordination mechanisms and co-ordination of international disaster response and RDRT and other response teams.
- Ensure that NS response is appropriate and aligned with the SPHERE guidelines, the Better Programming Initiative (BPI) and other Federation polices and strategies (e.g. Strategy 2010, Code of Conduct, Principles and Rules for Disaster Relief, Seville agreement etc.).
- Ensure that supporting NS do it according to co-ordinated response plans, as far as possible within the framework of the host NS strategic plan strengthening NS capacities, and fit into the NS capacity building support plans for DP, Health and organisational development (OD).
- Ensure that relief operations where appropriate include recovery elements which reduce the disaster impact in the future.

Reporting, lessons learnt and knowledge sharing

- Ensure accurate and timely reports for the Federation and for donors according to guidelines and utilise appropriate information management tools such as DMIS in disseminating DM related information.
- Ensure that lessons learnt and good practice from disaster management in the region are compiled and used to improve future planning, programming and implementation, that they are shared within the region as well as with the relevant departments in Geneva for wider dissemination. Incorporate such learning from other regions.

IT and Communications

- Ensure that the communications equipment within the region is fully functioning.
- Supports the expansion and maintenance of the communications systems within the region ensuring that each country has a detailed communications development plan.

Duties applicable to all staff

- 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.

Required Qualifications

Education

- Relevant university degree
- Relevant training in disaster management, particularly preparing to respond to disasters/logistics and capacity building in DP
- Basic Delegates Training Course or relevant RC/RC course

Experience

- Experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent.
- 5 years experience of working for a humanitarian aid organisation in disaster management in developing countries.
- 5 years experience of analysing, planning, and managing relief and development programmes and resources.
- 3 years experience of managing, coaching, and supporting staff.
- Experience of planning and managing finances and budgets
- Experience of acting in a senior representational role.

Skills

- Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing)
- Valid international driving license (manual gears)
- Strong skills in general administration, oral and written communication

Languages

- Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in another Federation language is an added advantage.

Competencies

- National Society Relations.
- Results Focus & Accountability.
- Teamwork.
- Communications.
- Professional Mastery.
- Leadership.
- Managerial Effectiveness.
- Innovation.