A Field Support Team, UN Cluster Preparedness Officer

Overall objective of the position

The FST will be based within the Global WASH Cluster (GWC) office, UNICEF in Geneva, Switzerland. The FST will act as the operational arm of the GWC directed by the CAST/CLA (Cluster Lead Agency) in close collaboration with the FST management function. The Preparedness Officer will focus upon providing both direct and indirect capacity building support to coordination platforms and/or clusters. All members of FST may be deployed to or provide indirect support to FST target countries or operations worldwide. All members of the FST, although having distinct technical portfolio’s and profiles, are expected to contribute to improved and strengthened WASH coordination and relevant capacity building activities. Similarly, all team members are expected to contribute to inter-cluster/sector harmonization and cross cutting issues of gender, age, diversity, protection, people with disabilities, HIV/AIDs, advocacy, environmental sustainability, disaster risk reduction and accountability to affected populations.

Responsibilities

The Preparedness Officer will support CAST (Cluster Advocacy Support Team)/CLA and the FST Management function in resourcing partners and cluster/sector participants for the effective management and functioning of WASH coordination platforms, encompassing the following:

• Support FST members on promoting sustainability and enhancing Regional, National and Sub-National emergency planning and emergency response work towards capitalising further on the measurable impact and relevancy of the coordination platforms or clusters in delivering coordination functions
• Capture, document and promote lessons learned, best practices and standards at national and to global level, ensuring a continuous and suitable knowledge management.
• Create and deliver work-plans and budgets on preparedness in collaboration with the FST members.
• Support the implementation of ‘real-time’ reviews and evaluations during and post operations, develop further mechanisms to inform and gather feedback on coordination capacity building activities, contribute to a better accountability and ensures needs based programming is the driver for preparedness activities.
• Providing technical support on scanning, reviewing and analyzing countries at risk.
• Support the development of National Disaster Management Plan by holding consultations, conducting research and drafting the document;
• Promoting and advocating for the importance of emergency preparedness for effective response, transition and recovery with FST members.
• Strengthen national platforms in advocacy, contingency planning and implementing preparedness actions.
• Contribute to learning and human resource development in the field of disaster risk reduction. Conduct training courses for INGOs on WASH preparedness;
• Support and advise on WASH coordination mechanisms, structures and frameworks on regional, national and subnational level and promote regular coordination performance assessments at regional levels.
• Contribute to identification of learning/capacity building needs and contribute to the development of capacity building strategies for WASH coordination platforms through suitable processes, tools and service providers.
• Providing technical support and direction to ongoing emergencies in collaboration with other FST member and provide technical support to regional and country targeted offices in the implementation of emergency preparedness in the field, which will strengthen preparedness and response mechanism in countries.
• Conduct surveys to determine the types of emergency-related needs that will need to be addressed in disaster planning, or provide technical support to others conducting such surveys.

Qualification and previous experience

Experience

• Degree, or relevant combination of qualifications and experience, social sciences, institutional development, political science, international studies, water or sanitation engineering or related field. Strong background and experience in Disaster Risk Management. Knowledge on DRR would be an asset
• Minimum five years field management experience in emergency humanitarian contexts
• A good understanding of the humanitarian policy environment including current knowledge of the latest policies, research, international standards and developments in the field in the humanitarian sector.
• Experience in liaison with stakeholders, ability to build relationships and networks with international donors, UN agencies and INGOs, national authorities, local partner agencies
• Fluently spoken and written English required. Another language mastered (especially French, Spanish or Arabic) is highly desirable.

Knowledge and skills

• Proven negotiation, communication and advocacy skills.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan monitor and evaluate programmes, as well as to teach skills and build team capacity.
• Ability to encourage and contribute to a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment.
• Recognised leadership and supervisory skills; motivates and empowers others.
• Ability to analyse and present diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.

Type of Contract

Fixed Term contract of 10 months – Executive Level

Salary

Annual Salary between 54,8 and 62 K€ gross over 13 months, Per-Diem supported by UNICEF when in the field, 19 days of extra leaves (RTT)/ year, complementary health insurance (covered 80% by ACF)

Starting Date

As soon as possible (01/03/2016)