Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Coordinator

Context:

Burundi is a small, landlocked country in East Africa, with a growing population of 11.5 million inhabitants and a staggering population density of 451 per km2, which makes it the third most densely populated country in Africa. While it has recently come out of years of unrest, the country is still unstable, with fragile institutions and tensions among and across various levels of government.

Burundi is regularly affected by a variety of hydro-meteorological hazards, including torrential rains and hailstorms, triggering frequent floods and landslides, and intense winds. The country is also located on the Albertine Rift, and has experienced considerable damage during past earthquake events. Large parts of the country also suffer from slower-onset hazards and environmental degradation processes, including drought, soil erosion, and a loss of freshwater resources.

In this context, reducing disaster risk and managing disasters are key to Burundi’s policy. The National Development Plan of Burundi 2018-2027 identifies the management of disaster risks and the reinforcement of national capacity as one of its strategic objectives. Burundi has also developed and adopted a National Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for 2018-2025 and an Action Plan 2018-2021, which are aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

Although the National Strategy and United Nations Development Assistance Plan (UNDAF) are in line with the Sendai Framework, and the National Platform and other stakeholders are working to achieve the objectives identified in these key documents, institutional and operational capacity of the national and local DRR stakeholders as well as their resources are still very limited, primarily due to the country’s fragile political and economic situations. Moreover, the country currently lacks some basic but key information on risk, as well as key risk management procedures, knowledge and infrastructure.

In order to address some of these challenges, IOM is now launching a country wide DRR programme, focusing on three main objectives:

1. Identification of risks linked with key hazards in the country;

2. Strengthening of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) procedures and coordination mechanisms at all levels, with a specific focus on provincial and municipal authorities, as well as engagement of communities at risk;

3. Protection of communities through community-led hazard prevention and mitigation interventions, including structural and infrastructural strengthening and sustainable ecosystem management and restoration.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), the successful candidate will be responsible for managing all activities related to this programme, as well as steer and support all other IOM-led efforts on DRR, DRM and climate change adaptation in the country. 

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Lead on providing technical and strategic guidance to all DRR activities implemented by IOM in Burundi. Ensure effective implementation of activities in the field.

2. Evaluate programmatic opportunities and strategic needs, contribute to developing new project initiatives, concept notes and proposals, on DRR activities.

3. Select and supervise the project staff in Bujumbura and in the provinces. S/he will also extensively travel extensively to sub-offices and project sites to monitor the Programme’s activities and ensure compliance with project objectives. S/he will also provide advice and technical backstopping to project field staff.

4. Undertake regular field visits and monitoring to project sites for quality control to ensure programme and activities are on track and provide technical guidance to the team to adapt the programme when necessary to ensure achievement of project goals.

5. In close coordination with the Chief of Mission (CoM), ensure quality and timely project reporting to donors including and prepare other reports and updates as required.

6. Liaise with various IOM Burundi departments including Transition and Recovery, Emergency, and support units to ensure success of project implementation and reporting. Provide regular update on project progress, key results and challenges.

7. Oversee the implementation of all the components of the DRR programme including reviewing the project outputs, work plan and activities versus the objectives as set forth in the programme documents. Ensure adequate follow up and monitoring of national and local-level activities and the achievement of high quality, effective outcomes under all areas of work.

8. Provide leadership in generating and documenting evidence of proven models, best practices and emerging and innovative practices relevant to energy, environment and livelihoods. Regularly provide updates on project progress, key results and challenges to the CoM.

9. Oversee and steer the selection process for all consultants and service providers who will contribute to the implementation of the programme’s components, with specific attention to the work needed for the identification of risks in the country.

10. Define processes and workplans for the implementation of community-based and community-led engagement, awareness raising and hazard mitigation activities. This includes overseeing the process to select locations to be targeted with different activities, as well as the selection of activities to be implemented, in collaboration with communities, project staff, institutional partners and donors.

11. Oversee the development of all risk assessments and risk maps, capacity building materials and packages, and operational guidance tools needed for the implementation of the programme.

12. Lead the DRR working group in Burundi in close coordination with the national platform, UN agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), donors and other relevant stakeholders. Plan and prepare for meetings, ensure notetaking, circulate minutes, and create sub-groups as necessary.

13. Support the Government of Burundi and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with the Sendai Framework as underscored in IOM's work on DRR.

14. Represent IOM in all relevant meetings, working groups and consultations with regard to the planning and implementation of DRR activities. Establish and maintain contacts with relevant national and provincial government stakeholders, UN specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and donors with the aim to further establish and strengthen IOM’s role in DRR in Burundi.

15. Ensure coordination of IOM’s DRR activities in partnership with other stakeholders in Burundi and in the region (including governmental at all administrative levels, intergovernmental or non- governmental).

16. Actively look for opportunities to network and partner with DRR stakeholders both in the country as well as in the region e.g. I/NGOs, UN Agencies (particularly United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR0), the Platform on Disaster Displacement, inter alia, resulting in positioning IOM as the lead on DRR in Burundi

17. Develop a five-year DRR strategy for IOM Burundi in order to ensure IOM'S work on DRR remains relevant, effective and efficient despite the growing threat and adverse impacts of Climate Change.

18. Actively engage in expansion of IOM's DRR portfolio, particularly on longer-term and more sustainable adaptation actions in line with IOM'S leading role on the UNDAF.

19. Continue to ensure that IOM's work on DRR is well connected to the Government of Burundi's longer-term development goals, incorporating where possible 'concepts' such as Cash Based Initiatives and the Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus (HDPN).

20. Oversee the development and submission of all operational updates concerning the DRR programme, including interim and final reports in accordance with the donor schedule, ensuring that deadlines are met.

21. Identify and address in a timely manner challenges and constraints that might delay or hinder the implementation of the programme and identify corrective action(s) to increase overall project effectiveness and efficiency.

22. Undertake other duties that may be assigned by the CoM.

Perform such other duties as may be assigned. 

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Rural Development, Engineering or any other field relevant to Disaster Risk Management or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

• Specific qualifications on DRR/DRM are desirable.

Experience

• At least five years of experience in the field of disaster risk management and nine years overall. Experience working in conflict or post-conflict areas is desirable.

• Good knowledge of programming and project implementation on risk mapping and community-based disaster risk management.

• Experience with IOM or other international agencies (UN Agencies, International Organisations, and International specialised NGOs), as well as working with international donors.

• Previous experiences as a team leader.

• Knowledge of the region is an advantage.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. 

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Kurundi is an advantage.

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Required Competencies: 

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.

• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3 

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.

• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

•  Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.

• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.

• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way. 

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 3

• Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.

• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction. 

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

About IOM:

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM here.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates

2. External female candidates:

3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states: Antigua and Barbuda; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Djibouti; El Salvador; Fiji; Gabon; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Posting period:

From 25.10.2019 to 07.11.2019 

No Fees:

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.