Programme manager, response preparedness

Netherlands Red Cross Response Preparedness Pledge

The Netherlands Red Cross will contribute to improved Disaster Response Preparedness in five disaster and conflict prone countries, working with the national societies in those countries and with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to both support the programme in those five countries as well as strengthen response preparedness at a global and regional level.

The programme (2012 – 2015) fills a critical gap between current community based resilience and risk reduction programme and international disaster response by focusing on strengthening national response capacity and linking it to regional and global capacity. While the MFS-II funded programme of the Partners for Resilience Alliance (of which the Netherlands Red Cross is the lead applicant) aims at strengthening peoples’ resilience by better anticipating disaster risk and mitigating its effects, the proposed response preparedness programme aims at enabling a better response in case disasters strike. Therefore, contents-wise, the proposed programme complements the current MFS-II funded programme. Of the seven “MFS-II countries” where Red Cross partners are involved, the Uganda Red Cross will in concrete terms benefit from both programme. For the Netherlands Red Cross the response preparedness programme contributes to an important part of the organisation’s strategic focus on disaster management (limiting the impact of emergency situations, strengthening resilience and promoting respect and willingness to help) as laid down in its recently adopted paper “Towards 2020”.

The national level response preparedness will be carried out with the national RC societies in Chad, Colombia, Lebanon (including Palestinian Red Crescent branch in Lebanon), Uganda and the ‘in formation’ national society in South Sudan. Following analysis in each country of the host national society’s mandate, current capacity and risk environment, plans have been drawn up to improve response preparedness, especially ensuring that disaster response contingency plans and standard operations procedures are in place and tested through simulation exercises; ensuring Branch and National Disaster Response Teams are available, trained and well equipped; ensuring emergency supplies are in place either as stored goods or available through supplier framework agreements and that transport solutions are in place to move goods to disaster sites; and ensuring national societies have adequate disaster management staff in place, at either headquarters or branch level. After Action Reviews (a component of so-called Real Time Evaluations) will also be part of the activities in some of the countries (to be selected). The purpose of these reviews is to strengthen organizational learning. Where possible these after action reviews will be repeated when a new disaster strikes to enable longitudinal comparison and allow trend analysis of improved response preparedness of the host national societies involved. NLRC delegates will provide technical and programme management support to the national societies.

Chad - Problem analysis

Chad is prone to food insecurity, floods, drought and epidemics and complex disasters related to the large refugee and IDP population from Sudan. In 2011 Chad was confronted with a large cholera crisis, an outbreak of meningitis and food insecurity problems. In 2010 four major disaster operations were carried out in response to cholera, floods, polio and food insecurity.

In the coming years it is expected that Chad will continue to encounter more disasters. Some of the current threats are the increased population movement as a result of the Libya crisis, political situation and instability in the country (ref. change in leadership in bordering Libya), influx of refugees from other neighbouring countries, widespread insecurity due to banditry which seriously undermines humanitarian presence, improved roads and increased mobility lead to larger spread of commutable diseases.

The government's response to disasters is limited by its lack of capacity, together with numerous administrative and legal impediments and taxes. Therefore the government, partners and donors often look to the Chad Red Cross when disaster strikes. In spite of the broad recognition of their role and responsibility the capacity of Chad Red Cross is currently not strong enough to provide adequate emergency response to the affected population. As a result affected populations do not get the required assistance when disasters exceed the local response capacities, with an increase of victims and an increased impact of the disasters on their as a result.

Some of the specific problems Chad Red Cross encounters related to response preparedness:

•  Lack of active volunteers (25.000 active of 43.000 registered volunteers)
•  Volunteers and staff are not technically trained in strategies and procedures of relief and other response activities
•  Disaster Management Team is too small to deal with the increase of (complex) disasters
•  Not enough equipment for disaster response teams
•  No proper reporting system for disaster response activities from branch to National level present in country
•  Lack of warehousing to stock emergency supplies
•  Lack of emergency supplies
•  Contingency plan is outdated
•  Some regions lack functioning communication equipment

Stakeholder analysis

•  Swedish Red Cross refugee programme, capacity building, genital mutilation programme
•  ICRC NS preparedness for response in conflict areas
•  Programmes by other donors/ Red Cross organizations do not include capacity building activities to strengthen response preparedness of Chad Red Cross. In December 2013 Chad Red Cross will also lose the (financial) support of the IFRC representation office which will be closed.
Programme objectives and activities 2012-2015

Based on this problem analysis the Netherlands Red Cross and Chad Red Cross have the objective to:

1. Improving the functioning of national and local response mechanisms in Chad Red Cross
2. Strategically positioning and logistically supporting Red Cross relief stocks in Chad
3. Strengthening the human resource capacity for disaster management of Chad Red Cross
4. Improving the disaster management plan of Chad Red Cross

Below these four strategies will be described in detail and linked to the specific activities that will be carried out in Chad:

1) Improving the functioning of national and local response mechanisms in Chad Red Cross

As the risk level for disasters is the same in all regions, Chad Red Cross has decided to invest in the capacity of its National Disaster Response Team (NDRT) and its 22 Branch Disaster Response Teams (BDRT). All NDRT members will be trained and from each Branch Response Teams (BRT) two members will be trained. In total 88 disaster response team members will receive basic training in response preparedness 2012 and yearly refresher trainings (2013-2015). Specific focus in these trainings will be response preparedness for disasters related to population movements, floods and epidemic. The participants of the training will also receive equipment such as masks, boots and sprays. To strengthen the cooperation between the government, communities, disaster response teams (regional and national), to update contingency plans and to practice with equipment a simulation drill will be held with all relevant stakeholders in 2012 and 2014. Given the high risk of flooding and related waterborne diseases in Chad they will procure a water module to be able to distribute large amounts of water. Also VHF and HF radio’s will be procured for the BDRTs in the 7 most disaster prone regions that currently lack quick communication lines with the NDRT.

2) Strategically positioning and logistically supporting Red Cross relief stocks in Chad

Chad Red Cross will procure relief kits for 4.000 families and strategically position these relief stocks in 7 warehouses that will be procured/rented in the 7 most disaster prone regions as well as in N’Djamena. In 2013 Chad Red Cross will also procure two transport vehicles (most likely boats) to be able to quickly transport relief kits to disaster areas.

3) Strengthening the human resource capacity for disaster management of Chad Red Cross

The Chad Red Cross currently has 5 Disaster Management (DM) staff on the payroll. To strengthen the team 5 additional DM staff will be recruited and trained. The other staff will also receive yearly refreshers trainings

4) Improving the disaster management plan of Chad Red Cross

Based on the outcome of the planned simulation drill in 2012, Chad Red Cross will make a new contingency plan (including local and regional contingency plans) and based on its experiences during future disasters and the second simulation drill in 2014 the plan will be updated on a yearly basis. The Disaster Management staff (10) will also be trained on a yearly basis to make sure they know how to execute the contingency plan.

Purpose

To ensure the successful implementation of the Response Preparedness Pledge programme in Chad.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Work towards the achievement of overall goals of the operation in the country, through effective managerial and lateral relations and teamwork.
2. Ensure understanding of roles, responsibilities, lateral relationships and accountabilities.
3. Adherence to the Principles of the Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement, code of conduct as well as ICT and anti-harassment policies.

Specific tasks and responsibilities

Management of all aspects related to the implementation (refer to the 4 strategic objectives listed above) of the RP Pledge in Chad. This includes but is not limited to the following activities:

1. Appraise the annual plans of the Chad Red Cross whether in line with the objectives and the overall programme description;
2. Work closely with the Chad Red Cross in order to strengthen its disaster response management and improve its planning processes;
3. Support the Chad Red Cross in implementing its improved action plan to deal with disasters, food insecurity, health programmes and community capacity building;
4. Strengthen the Chad Red Cross Disaster Management unit by providing guidance on operational structure and member’s roles and responsibilities;
5. Ensure effective working relationships with the programme staff as required and assist in regular staff appraisals;
6. Provide support to all staff in ensuring that cross-cutting themes are considered in interventions at all levels, especially in programme design, work plans, and trainings;
7. Conduct occasional site visits to meet with programme staff and/or beneficiaries;
8. Coordinate the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the RP Pledge in order to achieve all the programme activities within the allotted timeframe ensuring that interventions adhere to international programme implementation and development standards;
9. Ensure that all expected results of the programme are accomplished in a timely manner according to established timeline;
10. Assist the Chad Red Cross in producing regular, accurate and timely financial and narrative reports for the Netherlands Red Cross and for donors through mentoring and training in programme and financial management as well as reporting;

General tasks and responsibilities

1. Coordinate and communicate with Partner National Societies, regional donors and other relevant Red Cross and non-Red Cross partners involved in Disaster Risk Management activities;
2. Establish links and work towards co-ordination and co-operation between relevant stakeholders including other NSs and the Federation;
3. Suggest improvements, innovations or efficiencies that could be implemented;
4. Be familiar with - and be able to represent - the NLRC programmes and objectives in the region;
5. Perform other work related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Regional Programme Coordinator in The Netherlands.

Requirements

Qualification and experience required:

• Master’s Degree
• Extensive experience of working for a humanitarian aid organisation in  developing countries (preferably in Disaster Management programming)
• Extensive field experience internationally in managing operations in emergency and non-emergency settings
• Experience in project/programme management, design, monitoring and evaluation of multi-sectoral programmes
• Demonstrated success in (financial) planning and budgetting, programme management and reporting
• Extensive experience in team management
• Budgeting and financial experience, as well as programme supervision
• Qualification in coordinating development programmes
• Excellent practical knowledge of computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word processing, e-mail, Internet)
• Experience in training
• Experience within the Red Cross Movement, working in bilateral programmes

The following skills would be an asset:

• Experience in managing or supporting Ministry of Foreign Affairs grants
• Experience with working in French speaking Africa

Languages:

• Fluency in French and English required
• Applicants will be requested to provide proof of competency or otherwise be asked to complete language tests

Personal Qualities:

• High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct
• Team player
• Able to work under security constrained situations
• Flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions
• Self-motivated and proactive, with good judgment and initiative
• Able to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Be diplomatic and result orientated
• Strong interpersonal, communication and networking skills
• Working in a multicultural environment

Reporting

Reporting lines:

1. HQ Desk East, West and Central Africa Netherlands Red Cross, The Hague
2. RP Pledge Programme Coordinator at HQ Netherlands Red Cross, The Hague