Communications and information coordinator

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), established in 1986, is a regional non-profit foundation with headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand supporting the advancement of safer communities and sustainable development, through implementing programs that reduce the impact of disasters upon countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. The primary geographical focus of ADPC’s activities is Asia with the South, South East and East Asia being the primary sub-regions. In 2005, nine countries, namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Sri Lanka signed a Charter establishing ADPC as an inter-governmental organization.

ADPC has vast experience of 25 years of working in Asia Pacific region along with the national and local Government of its charter member countries as well as countries of the Regional Consultative Committee on Disaster Management (RCC); a regional mechanism established by ADPC in 2000 and comprising of head of national disaster management offices of 26 countries in Asia Pacific. ADPC also shares a close partnership with sub-regional inter-government agencies, such as Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Secretariat for Pacific Community (previously known as SOPAC) on various DRR related themes including capacity building, strengthening institutions and systems, knowledge management and mainstreaming DRR into development. It works closely with a range of UN Agencies including UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCAP, WHO, WMO, UNISDR, UNOCHA, UN-Habitat, etc. on DRR related projects and consulting services. ADPC works with international and local NGOs, national technical and training institutions, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Further details on ADPC and Programs can be found at www.adpc.net

Background

The Program for Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER) is a regional disaster preparedness training and capacity-building program funded by the USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). Now in its third stage (2009-2014), PEER 3 is implemented by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) in partnership with the American Red Cross (ARC), covering ten Asian countries: Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam.

ADPC is managing two PEER Program Objectives – or program components; i) Community Action for Disaster Response – CADRE, and ii) Hospital Preparedness for Emergencies – HOPE.

Program Goal

The goal of the PEER program is to promote and enhance disaster preparedness and response capacities within the Asia region

Program Objectives

Objective 1 – Community Action for Disaster Response - CADRE
To establish a system for enhanced community level first responder capacity in disaster–prone communities in PEER’s ten countries (Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Philippines, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam). The training targets local non-professional community-based emergency responders.

Objective 2 – Hospital Preparedness for Emergencies – HOPE
To improve the capacity of hospitals and healthcare facilities to be prepared to manage emergencies and mass casualty events in PEER’s ten countries. The training is designed for healthcare personal – both administrative and medical, to prepare them to respond effectively to community emergencies involving large numbers of casualties.

Scope of Work and Responsibilities

- Implement the communications and information strategy for PEER Stage 3.
- Develop work plans for the communications and information component of PEER Stage 3 program and other relevant activities, giving focus to development of communications and information products and the organization of networking activities for PEER 3.
- Strengthen capacity of PEER country program partners in the nine countries to manage communications and information dissemination and support the establishment of national networks to strengthen emergency response.
- Conduct al program reporting (including Quarterly and Annual Reports) to institutional donors, support the monitoring and evaluation of the PEER program.
- Develop communications and information products such as program brochures, case studies, articles, presentations, publications, audio-video material etc to capture good practices, success stories and program impact.
- Assist implementation of public awareness and social marketing strategy of PEER – including maintaining the PEER Website, PEER Facebook group and other PEER online networking and information sharing tools.
- Support and coordinate with the project team to achieve the target objectives, including supporting program facilitation, in-country trainings and logistical support for program activities as required.
- Develop and manage regional networking events, including regional and country planning meetings and workshops, lessons learned workshops, conferences and working group meetings
- Develop tools and products to assist country program partners in M&E of effectiveness in implementing and promoting program outputs, information products, public awareness and advocacy campaigns.
- Coordinate between other ADPC programs/program information focal points and the Information Technology and Communications Unit (ITCU) ADPC, to build internal communications.
- Develop contacts with regional and local media with the aim to promote ADPC / PEER disaster preparedness activities and awareness.
- Work in close coordination with ADPC Communication Specialist and ITCU Manager to support all communications and information management functions of ADPC as required.
- Coordinate information and networking activities with other programs and units at ADPC.
- Respond to information requests on PEER and other PHE related activities.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Director, Public Health in Emergencies Team (PHE) Team / Chief of Party, ADPC PEER Stage 3 program; Assist the Chief of Party, the Deputy Chief of Party, and the PEER team as and when required.

Supervisor(s): Deputy Chief of Party, ADPC PEER Stage 3 Program

Required Qualifications / Selection Criteria:

Qualifications and experience

- University degree from a recognized university (or degree and professional qualification) in information management, journalism, media, knowledge management or communications.
- At least five years of relevant experience in development of information and communications products, involvement in communication processes and/or public awareness campaigns etc., at least one year of which must be in a similar capacity in the area of information and communications support.
- Proven experience in communication related field, journalism or positions that require developing stakeholder engagement relations.
- Proven ability to write effectively, persuasively and succinctly in English as a media professional.
- Proven experience working closely with the media.
- Proven experience in developing reports, including coordinating information from multiple sources.
- Experience in donor reporting to institutional donors especially USAID and ARC a plus.
- Working knowledge of IT software such as Macromedia Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, HTML or other, with working knowledge of publication layouts and design, including online design tools.
- Working knowledge in Content Management Systems (CMS) (Wordpress or other CMS) and experience in social media marketing and management.
- Experienced and working knowledge in web-based database implementation and management.
- Knowledge of disaster communications / information management for humanitarian organizations / knowledge of relevant regional humanitarian development networks an advantage.
- Training skills in information management and dissemination a plus.
- Excellent language skill (English)
- Working knowledge of at least one South East or South Asian language essential, but not required.

Personal Qualities

- Self-motivated, pro-active and takes initiative
- Demonstrated ability and plan and organize work and time independently
- Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience in working in a multi-cultural environment
- Strong desire to learn, undertake new challenges, must a creative problem-solver, must have self confidence, willingness to work hard, good sense of humor but with seriousness about the quality and excellence of work.