Disaster risk reduction programme officer

1. Purpose of the post:

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Representative, provide professional technical contribution to disaster preparedness, risk reduction and environmental programmes/projects design, planning, administration, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis and progress reporting. Commitment for enhancement of teamwork and capacity building, in support of achievement of planned objectives of the Rolling Work Plan for 2012 – 2013 on Basic Education and Child Development.

2. Major duties and responsibilities:

2.1 Ensures the effective and efficient implementation of agreed activities among the government partners, UNICEF and donor within the frameworks of the Supporting Disaster Risk Reduction amongst Vulnerable Communities and Institutions in Southern Caucasus.

2.2 Enhances project efficiency and effectiveness through provision of technical assistance to the implementation and monitoring of disaster risk reduction and environmental initiatives in selected preschools and schools, including special schools nationwide, with attention to gender based roles. Identify opportunities for incorporating disaster risk reduction and environmental concept and approaches into education system.

2.3 Coordinates the development of an action plan for rolling out capacity building activities in education in emergency preparedness and response and informing national education sector planning, policy and budgeting so that education in emergencies is addressed in a more systematic and sustainable manner.

2.4 Supports to national stakeholders for the setup of a national coordination mechanism for DRR in education, as a follow up to the defined DRR National Strategy.

2.5 Ensures the appropriateness of financial, administrative and supply documentation; verifies that education project expenditures are within allotments and that data is consistent with the project information and database. Follows up on queries or initiate corrective action on discrepancies.

2.6 Ensures the effective communication and networking developed and maintained through partnership and collaboration.

• Collaborates with operations staff to implement internal controls systems and resolve day-to-day issues or discrepancies in financial or supply management.

• Team with local government counterparts to exchange information on DRR and environmental project implementation and status (including the distribution of supplies) and to influence policy reform processes focusing on the best interest of children.

• Coordinates with team members in the development of intersectoral initiatives; and with members of the development community, including NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the exchange of information relating to DRR in education sector.

2.7 Conducts regular field visits to monitor community level activities; prepares reports on results and challenges of project activities.

3. Minimum requirements and qualifications:

3.1 University degree in education and other related field of disaster risk reduction.

3.2 Fluency in English, Russian and Armenian languages.

4. Experience:

4.1 Three to five years of work experience in the social sector development of which experience of working in the field of disaster preparedness and risk reduction would be considered an advantage.

5. Competency profile:

Core values (required)     

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies (required)

• Communication [ II ]
• Working with people [ II ]
• Drive for results [ II ] 

Functional competencies (required)

• Persuading and influencing [II]
• Deciding and initiating action [I]
• Applying technical expertise [II]
• Learning and researching [II]
• Planning and organizing [II]

Technical knowledge 

• Specific technical knowledge required   

- Knowledge of current key developments and situation in natural disaster, response, preparedness.
- Good ability in partnering and networking.
- Ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and concisely in written and oral form.
- Rights-based and results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.
- UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the manual.
- Mid-term strategic plan

• Common technical knowledge required

- Methodology of programme/project management.
- UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies.
- Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNICEF position and approaches.
-  UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
- UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.

• Technical knowledge to be acquired/enhanced

- UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
- UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions.
- UN security operations and guidelines.
- UNSECORD training for members of Security Management Team

Remarks:  UNICEF is a smoke free environment.