Project officer

Background & Rationale

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) was established in 1986 to support the advancement of safer communities and sustainable development, through implementing programs that reduce the impact of disasters upon countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC is governed by its Board of Trustees and annually convenes the Regional Consultative Committee on Disaster Management (RCC) that brings together National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) from 26 countries of the Asian region. In 1999, ADPC was constituted as an independent non-profit foundation under Thai law, with its headquarters in Bangkok. Currently, ADPC is in the process of becoming an inter-governmental organization, with the ADPC Charter signed in 2005 by 9 founder member countries of the Asian region. In March 2011, ADPC celebrated its 25th year of services and developed its Strategy 2020 to meet needs of the Disaster Risk Reduction sectors in the region and globally. This will be achieved by enhancing its existing organizational structure and resources; focus on technical aspects and needs of external partners and deliver competitive and high quality outputs. 

Disaster Risk Management Systems (DRMS) is one of six thematic Department of ADPC with the strategic objectives to:

- Strengthen government institutions and systems and implementation of national and sub-national strategies/action plans/programs on DRR and CCA.
- Support to development and implementation region specific multiple action DRR and CCA programs.
- Develop and implement programs on community based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR)
- Facilitate partnerships, knowledge networking and exchange of experiences to promote innovation in disaster risk management.

Status of the Project Officer 

The Project Officer, working under the direct supervision of the Head of Department, DRMS is a mid level DRR/CCA specialist and core member of Disaster Risk Management Systems (DRMS) department. He/She will be assisted by Project Coordinators/Assistants and will be working with the Project Manager/Program Manager for specific project/programs.

The Project Officer refers to the professional title and grade as per ADPC’s personnel Policy and guideline. All ADPC wide provisions and norms are applicable unless and otherwise declared in writing in the Contract.

Roles and Responsibilities 

The Project officer –DRMS is development specialist position to support to the DRMS Department and contribute technically in improving DRR and CCA systems for countries and its stakeholders through ADPC’s project/program. This may be by planning for or developing new, strengthening existing and appropriate DRM systems. The Project Officer will be responsible for independent management of project/program, planning and administration of new initiatives within the Disaster Risk Management Systems (DRMS) Department and of any agreements or partnerships with partners. 

Core Responsibilities 

- Planning and facilitating the implementation of project/ program activities under the thematic area related to National and Sub-national DRR and CCA within timeline
- Ensure smooth communication and coordination between ADPC, its implementing partners including governments at national and sub-national levels, donors and other stakeholders in the project countries
- Develop manuals, guidelines, good practice documents related to DRR and CCA
- Develop and disseminate DRR/CCA knowledge management products and tools
- Review/ Develop work plan, progress reports and process documentation
- Monitoring of existing Budgets, project financial management and reporting
- Developing concept notes, project proposals related to thematic area
- Contribute in better synergy and inter-department collaboration for project implementation within ADPC
- Perform any other tasks assigned by the Supervisors

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes required 

Education Qualification and Work Experience

- Bachelor or Master degree (preferred) in development studies, disaster management, water resources, environment, project planning and management etc.
- Having 2-3 years practical experience working in field of Disaster Risk Management, including of managing project implementation and reporting.
- Proven skills in implementation of DRR and CCA programs or projects in particular training and capacity building activities
- Experience of financial, narrative reporting and managing budgets
- Strong analytical skills as well as in writing and documentation is a necessity
- Strong communication skills with excellent written and spoken English and ability to develop/ review work plans, write activity progress reports and technical documents 

Practical Knowledge 

- Project planning and execution.
- Knowledge management
- Partnership building and networking
- Result based Project Management including log frame development for complex project/programs

Work Attitude 

- Strong desire to learn and contribute to the development and implementation of project/programs in target countries,
- Team Player, excellent interpersonal skills and elements to lead a team in multi cultural environment
- Undertake new challenges; be a creative problem-solver;
- Self-confident; willingness to work hard;
- Contributions in institution building and loyality to institutions core value;
- Willing to frequently travel in the region