Project officer - DRR/CCA-mainstreaming specialist

Background and 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. For more information, please visit www.adpc.net. In March 2011, on completion of 25 years, ADPC in consultation with member countries and development partners development the Strategy to guide its support to countries over the next decade. The ADPC Strategy 2020 aims at focusing the involvement of ADPC on key issues in the region in relation to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, based on its long years of experience and comparative advantage. The implementation of ADPC Strategy 2020 is being pursued through a programmatic approach on three core areas namely Science, System and Applications for DRR, with each of the three programs having well defined Outcomes and Result Areas. At the same time, ADPC also went through an internal restructuring to organize itself in six thematic departments, with each having a niche focus and working together to contribute towards the overall outcomes of ADPC Strategy 2020.

One of the thematic departments is Safer Development Planning and Implementation (SDPI). The focus of SDPI is to enhance mainstreaming DRR and Climate Change Adaptation in development processes. Department’s work is based on the ongoing program of the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) on Disaster Management on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into Development (MDRD), which is underway since 2004. A key area of the program is to demonstrate actions on mainstreaming and building capacity through training courses. The program is implemented in synergy with other ongoing regional initiatives on advocacy, knowledge management and capacity building for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into development.

Status of the Project Officer

The Project Officer, working under the direct supervision of the Head of Department, SDPI is a mid-level DRR/CCA-Mainstreaming specialist and core member of SDPI. He/She will be assisted by Project Coordinators 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 guidelines. All ADPC-wide provisions and norms are applicable unless and otherwise declared in writing in the Contract.

Roles and responsibilities

The Project officer –SDPI, is a development specialist position to provide support to SDPI Department and contribute technically in enhancing the agenda of mainstreaming DRR/CCA into development planning and implementation processes in the Asia-Pacific region. With a focus on expediting the implementation of ongoing program, the Project Officer will be responsible for independent management of project/program, and planning and administration of new initiatives within the SDPI Department.

Core responsibilities

• Planning and implementation of project/ program activities with a clear understanding of producing planned outputs within a specific timeframe;
• Develop manuals, guidelines, case studies and other material/knowledge management projects and tools related to advocacy, technical capacity-building and awareness on Mainstreaming DRR/CCA into Development Planning Processes in Asia-Pacific region;
• Review/ Develop work plan, progress reports and process documentation;
• 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;
• Reporting on project progress;
• Develop concept notes and project proposals related to the thematic area;
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Supervisors.

Specific knowledge, skills and attitudes required

A. Education qualification and work experience

• Master degree in development studies, disaster management, environment or any other related field;
• At least 5 years of practical experience working in the field of Disaster Risk Management including program project planning, implementation and reporting;
• At least 2 years of experience working in Asia
• Sound understanding of the functioning of government departments and institutions;
• Proven skills in implementation of DRR programs or projects;
• Experience of managing project/program budgets and preparing progress reports;
• Strong analytical and writing (English language) skills;
• Strong communication skills and ability to develop/ review work plans, write activity progress reports and technical documents;

B. Practical knowledge

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

C. 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;
• Willing to frequently travel in the region.