Regional adviser emergency

Purpose of the Position

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Regional Director and in close coordination with the Director, Emergency Operations, NYHQ, to initiate and provide high level policy and programme planning support in matters related to emergencies in the East Asia and Pacific Region; undertake risk analysis; encourage and guide contingency planning in respect of humanitarian emergencies; and provide support to the Country Offices and the Regional Office in matters related to contingency planning, preparedness, and the design and implementation of emergency responses, with particular focus on support to the most vulnerable groups, such as refugee and displaced children and women. Provide advice within the Regional Office on preparation and response to emergencies and monitor emergency programmes within the Region. Develop and implement regional strategies to facilitate UNICEF's work in emergencies. The accountability of the post embraces UNICEF's advocacy with the government and other partners as well as other aspects under the office’s accountabilities framework for the enhancement of the survival, protection, development and participation of children and women in national development efforts. Ensures that the equity and the gender equality perspective is mainstreamed. 

Key Expected Results

- In conjunction with Country Offices, provide policy and technical guidance in the development of detailed contingency plans and plans for operational and programmatic response in the event of emergency in high risk countries, taking into account available resources, and including specific recommendations on actions to be taken by Country Offices, the Regional Office and HQ. Ensure direct and indirect sound RO support to COs facing new and chronic humanitarian crises. Ensure appropriate emergency technical support in WASH, Education, Child Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). 
- Support the development of critical analysis of emergency situations in the region. Initiate and prepare detailed situation and risk and vulnerability analyses and possible emergencies in the region. Provide policy and programme advice and recommendations for preparedness and preventive action to the Regional Office, EMOPS and concerned Country Offices, as well as inputs to Regional Situation Analyses and Reports, and presentations to Country Representatives at the RMTs. 
- Advise Country Office Representatives, Deputy Representatives, Emergency Focal Points and Chiefs of Operations on the incorporation and strengthening of emergency preparedness, early warning and early actions, response and rehabilitation programmes, projects, activities and related operational provisions – including business continuity plans for global crises, like Human Pandemic Influenza - in country programmes. Monitor preparedness and emergency response elements in planning and reporting documents including Country Programme Action Plans, Country Strategy Papers, Annual and Mid-Term Reviews. 
- In close cooperation with the Regional Advisers, and in coordination with the Senior Emergency Specialists, provide policy guidance and technical advice to the Country Offices in the understanding and implementation of the UN Humanitarian Reform agenda and its components (including the Cluster Approach). As required, support the Country Offices in developing detailed strategies and designs for advocating and implementing this agenda in the local interagency context. 
- In conjunction with the Regional Chief of Programme Planning and Regional Adviser, Evaluation, support and encourage emergency related monitoring and evaluations, including development, field testing and application of new tools and methodologies. Participate in reviews and evaluations of UNICEF emergency related responses in the region, as well as regional and global policy reviews of such responses. 
- Manage the emergency section within the EAPRO.  Develop, coordinate, implement and monitor emergency preparedness and response procedures to enable provision of timely and priority operational and programmatic support to Country Offices and countries affected by emergencies. Advise the Regional Director and DRD on the management and improvement of such procedures. Provide support for staff training programmes to strengthen programming skills and familiarize staff with appropriate programmatic responses to emergency situations, including modes of interagency cooperation. Help prepare programme/project process reports in order to update senior regional staff, HQ, donors, partners and allies; for fund-raising; and for decision-making purposes by UNICEF management. 
- Interact with other UN agencies, NGOs, IFRC, and other partners to support inter-agency efforts and integrate UNICEF activities into the overall programme/project approach. Interact with other UNICEF ROs and with HQ (EMOPS and PD) to engage and be abreast of latest developments in the global humanitarian context (IASC, ECHA) and initiatives. Consult, co-ordinate and liaise with international, multi- and bi-lateral donors, directly or through PFO to raise funds for emergency related programmes for the Country Offices in the East Asia and Pacific Region.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Work experience:

- A minimum of ten years professional work experience, with progressively greater management and/or advisory responsibilities in social planning, research, emergency and/or rehabilitation programmes at national and international levels, with significant emphasis on analysis and advice on the needs of children and women affected by emergencies, especially armed conflict. 
- Direct field experience in emergency programme planning, management or evaluation a distinct advantage.  At least four years’ working experience in the countries of the East Asia and Pacific region a strong advantage. 
- Relevant UN or international NGO experience an asset.

Languages:

- Fluency in English and another UN working language.
- Knowledge of one or more languages of the region is an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

- Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.
- Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment.
- Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget.
- Has high-level leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching.
- Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization’s future potential.
- Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.
- Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government leaders and stakeholders.
- Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.
- Contributes and tries out innovative approaches and insights.