Team leader for capacity development programme within civil protection

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) is looking for experienced Team Leaders, Civil Protection Experts, Civil Protection Experts specialised in GIS, and Communications Officers for capacity development programmes. The programmes are carried out in various parts of the world and the objectives are to strengthen civil protection and disaster risk reduction capacities at local, regional and national level.

The activities to be carried out in the framework of the programmes could for example include to:

• improve risk mapping,
• strengthen prevention and preparedness capacities at local, national and regional level,
• improve capacities for a coordinated, effective and efficient disaster response,
• improve public information and awareness of populations regarding risk and exposure,
• improve the legislative framework in the area of civil protection/disaster management in the partner countries.

MSB is looking for experienced team leaders for international programmes in general and specifically for a planned EU financed civil protection programme in the ENPI East region (European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument East region: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus).

Duties

• Operational management including operational planning, day to day management, staff and budget management, results monitoring, implementing the exit strategy and participation in the evaluation of the project
• Build and maintain alliances and networks among government agencies, EC, NGOs and other programme partners. Liaise and co-ordinate with the other projects and relevant partners
• Manage capacity development support towards local/national counterparts within the field of within civil protection
• Represent the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency towards national government agencies, the UN system, the Red Cross movement and community structures.
• Integration of cross cutting issues, in particular gender and environment. This includes securing participation/consultations with women as well as other relevant groups in the given context and to enhance gender equality within the mission
• Responsibility for safety and security of field project staff. Liaise with UNDSS and other actors to access local security information
• Duties include ensuring accurate and complete accounting and that reporting and internal control systems are functioning correctly

Qualifications

Experience

• Demonstrated team leader experience;
• Knowledge of international frameworks and practice in disaster risk reduction and disaster management;
• Knowledge of EU policy developments and EU civil protection tools required for EU funded programmes;
• Proven experience of working in multicultural environments.
• A minimum of 8-10 years in programme management. For EU funded programmes a minimum 10 years in management in the field of disaster management is required;
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in contingency planning, civil protection, disaster preparedness or similar fields;
• Experience in capacity development and in providing disaster preparedness training;
• Experience in working with the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is a clear advantage.
• Experience from working in the ENPI East region is a strong asset

Education

• University degree in Disaster Management, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Ecology, Environmental Law, Development, Geology, Geography, Economics, Engineering, Urban Planning or equivalent. Master degree will be an asset;

Languages

• Proficiency in both English and Russian is required for programmes in the ENPI East region. Other languages, especially French and Spanish, are assets for other programmes.

Other requriements

• Excellent knowledge of capacity development approaches;
• Ability to negotiate with counterparts, government officials and with other stakeholders;
• Ability to plan and work independently and without supervision;
• Excellent skills in technical writing;
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills;
• Knowledge of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is an important asset

Candidates must be ready to relocate to the recipient countries fully or in periods as needed for the programme

Candidates must be physically capable and medically fit to work and travel and will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination by a licensed physician before being contracted. Candidates under serious consideration must inform their employers of their potential assignment with the MSB and obtain a written agreement in which the employer confirms his/her intention of releasing the candidate on short notice upon request from the MSB.

Profile

We are looking for men and women with a strong commitment towards capacity development and disaster operations. It is of utmost priority that candidates understand, respect and act in the sprit of the mandate and core values of the MSB. The candidate must possess a high level of professional and personal maturity together with an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, managers and external partners, such as UN organisations, NGOs, recipient governments and host populations. Candidates must be able to interact with sensitivity and display respect for diversity and gender in multi-cultural environments.

Contractual conditions

All MSB operational personnel are registered on a roster which contains a wide range of professions and competencies. Individuals recruited to the roster take the MSB’s introduction course and any specialist training courses required. It is from this roster that we select personnel when an operation is to be executed. Working with the MSB on an overseas operation means that personnel from the roster are temporarily employed by the MSB. The MSB pays wages, insurances, travel costs and subsistence allowance during the operation. In addition, participants on introduction courses and relevant specialist training courses receive remuneration from the MSB.