Disaster risk reduction preparedness planning expert

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) is looking for Disaster risk reduction preparedness planning expert for its field staff rooster, willing to be deployed at short notice to various parts of the world. As a Disaster risk reduction preparedness planning expert on an MSB operation you can be working within one or several of the following areas:

- Provide direction to the regional / country offices in the implementation of emergency preparedness measures in the field, which will strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms in countries faced with impending emergencies.
- Ensure that adequate emergency preparedness measures are taken in a designated region by the relevant bureau/field offices through the development and updating of country contingency plans and the establishment of early warning mechanisms, which will lead to more effective preparedness and response to specific refugee situations. 
- Develop and maintain databases on the country/region. Regional information is crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency response. Identify availability of resources and buffer stocks in emergency prone areas and establish logistics plans to be implemented during an emergency operation to ensure a more timely and effective emergency response. 
- Assist in developing and conducting emergency training courses for different audiences, for example regional standby emergency response teams. Participate in these courses with the team and participate in other emergency training workshops in the region, in order to help improve the emergency preparedness and response capability of staff and implementing partners. 
- In the event of an emergency, be deployed, in most cases as the team leader of the emergency response team, which will be deployed immediately to establish and implement the initial operational tasks relating to protection and assistance.
- Lead and /or participate in needs assessment mission in conjunction with partners and field staff in order to determine and guide an appropriate intervention.
- Establish longer term requirements of the emergency operation so that a more regular operational and staffing structure can in the meantime be developed to take over from the emergency response team.
- Identify implementing/operational partners and establish implementing arrangements, in order to ensure an effective emergency response in all sectors.

Qualifications

Experience 

- At least four to five years experience with progressive responsibility in disaster risk reduction is necessary and some experience in humanitarian work is highly meriting. 
- International experience is advantageous as well as a knowledge of UN or EU system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing disaster risk reduction.

Education 

- Bachelor’s degree urban planning engineering or other related fields.
- A relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of a formal university degree.

Languages 

- Fluent English is essential, both spoken and written. 
- Knowledge of French or any other official UN languages is an asset.

Other requriements 

- Candidates must be physically capable and medically fit to work and travel and will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination by a licensed physician before being contracted.
- Candidates under serious consideration must inform their employers of their potential assignment with the MSB and obtain a written agreement in which the employer confirms his/her intention of releasing the candidate on short notice upon request from the MSB.

Profile 

- We are looking for men and women with a strong commitment towards humanitarian relief and disaster operations. It is of utmost priority that candidates understand, respect and act in the sprit of the mandate and core values of the MSB. 
- The candidate must possess a high level of professional and personal maturity together with an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, managers and external partners, such as UN organisations, NGOs, recipient governments and host populations. 
- Candidates must be able to interact with sensitivity and display respect for diversity and gender in multi-cultural environments. 
- The candidate is expected to have excellent communicative skills and show initiative and take both a hands-on and an analytical approach to tasks and problems.