DRR technical operations officer

Background

IOM is committed to the principle that safe and orderly migration is a benefit to migrants and society, and is essential for achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. As a global intergovernmental organization, IOM supports governments to effectively manage the various challenges related to migration and also provides assistance to migrants. Migration can result from different environmental factors from the gradual environmental degradation including desertification, soil and coastal erosion to the natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods or tropical storms. Addressing these linkages from a human mobility perspective, IOM considers that Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) are the way forward to help populations living in areas where hazards meet vulnerability. IOM is part of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) Network and committed to the goals and principles of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) to work with Governments and Communities to rebuild resilience to hazards. As a Global Cluster lead for Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) in Natural Disasters, IOM has a global responsibility within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), ensuring that assistance is provided to the displaced. IOM has been implementing wide range of activities around the world over the years from preparedness and prevention, response and recovery with the aim of reducing vulnerabilities and managing the risks.

Based on emerging DRR needs in Myanmar and IOM expertise in the region combined with experiences gained from implementing emergency response projects in the aftermath of cyclones Nargis and Giri, IOM is now implementing a Disaster Risk Reduction Project in Mon and Kayin States of Myanmar. The project intends to contribute to the enhancement of the capacities of 55,000 persons at village, as well as Government and Township institutions, to adequately manage emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction and emergency response. The project aims to support the Government’s overarching national framework in Myanmar for preparedness for and response to natural hazards, as contained in the “Myanmar Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction (MAPDRR) 2009-2015”. Therefore, IOM is inviting qualified nationals with expertise in the areas of project management/coordination and DRR technical support to assist IOM to implement its DRR project in South-East of Myanmar.

General functions

Under the general supervision of the Programme Manager, the direct supervision of the DRR Field Project Manager in close coordination with the Project Coordinator - Preparedness and Emergency Unit, the incumbent will be assigned for following tasks and responsibilities:

• Develop training materials on all technical aspects of DRR and preparedness for the project’s staff.
• Take the lead to develop the technical criteria to identify the project’s target villages, and offer technical inputs once the operation begin to identify and evaluate villages.
• Give technical guidance for the implementation the Village Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) in all the project‘s target villages and take the lead to evaluate the findings as a basis for the development of Village DRR Action Plans.
• With technical support of the Field Project Manager, support the development of Village DRR Action Plans according to the findings of VVCAs. Take the lead to develop a methodology and then implement simulation exercises with select number of villages to test the Village DRR Action Plans.
• Technically support training and awareness-raising sessions on Disaster Risk Reduction to be offered to members of Village Disaster Management Committees and community members at each target village.
• Coordinate all technical inputs closely with the Field Coordinator, with the Field Coordinator taking the lead on planning implementation at the township level and all community-level activities. .
• Work with the Project Coordinator and Field Project Manager to develop the technical content of trainings for government officials to be offered under the project, and support the provision of training on CCCM and CORE.
• Support the Field Project Manager and the Project Coordinator to review and assess existing State and Township Disaster Management Plans, and modify them (in the written form) for comprehensiveness in line with the local situation and needs as well as international principles and practices of DRR/preparedness
• Monitor the technical aspects of the project’s Outputs 1 and 3, and support the internal evaluation of the project. Support the Field Project Manager with technical inputs to draft monthly project progress reports.
• Undertake regular duty travel within Mon and Kayin States, Thanintharyi region, as well as nationally, as may be required.
• Perform any other duties that may be required.

Desired qualifications

• Myanmar national with a university degree preferably in Social Science, preferably Disaster Management.
• Minimum of 3 years work experience in UN and/or NGOs, with experience of operational coordination.
• At least 1 year of concrete experience in DRR projects, preferably at the management or coordination level.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in the area of DRR programming, for example DRR project development, DRR curriculum development, DRR training, DRR research/data collection, and/or monitoring and evaluation of DRR project.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports. High level of attention to detail and quality in all aspects of work.
• Demonstrable and proven problem solving skills.
• Very good in written and spoken English and Myanmar.
• Computer literate (MS office applications and database management).
• Local knowledge and local language in project areas would be an advantage.