Training manager, community-based emergency response

Background

The Program for Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER) is a regional disaster preparedness training and capacity-building program funded by the USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). Now in its third stage (2009-2014), PEER III is to be implemented by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and the National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET). ADPC, as Prime for the community-based and hospital readiness components of PEER III, will lead program implementation for these components, bringing to bear its internal expertise and strong partnerships in the region. The American Red Cross (ARC) will serve as a key partner to ADPC in training at the community-level, adding technical assistance, resources and greater access to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent network. International Resources Group (IRG) will also play a pivotal role as a technical services provider and bringing in inputs from its disaster preparedness training experience in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The PEER program is based in Bangkok, Thailand and covers nine Asian countries: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam.

The goal of the PEER program is to promote and enhance disaster preparedness and response capacities within the Asia region. Objective 1 of the program is to establish a system for enhanced community level first responder capacity in disaster–prone communities in PEER’s six core countries (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Philippines) with possible expansion to Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. The training will target local non-professional emergency responders in the form of a condensed course, drawing upon the core trainings from Stage II included Medical First Responder (MFR), Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR), Hospital Preparedness for Emergencies (HOPE), and Training-of-Trainers (TOT). The second program objective is the continuation of the HOPE courses in the six PEER countries and extension of the HOPE courses to the three new PEER countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam). The third objective is to continue current training in the six Stage II-countries on Medical First Responder (MFR) and Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR); this portion of the program will be implemented by NSET under a separate contract, though as part of a unified PEER III program.

Qualifications

- Relevant university degree or equivalent
- Graduate of PEER training (MFR, CSSR, HOPE, TFI, IW, etc.)
- PEER master trainer
- Relevant training in disaster management, particularly preparing to respond to disasters and capacity building

Experience

- 5 years experience working in programs in the health emergency, medical and disaster management field including hands on response
- 5 years experience in the development and management of long-term capacity building and training programs in disaster management
- Considerable experience in working with the Red Cross/Red Crescent NS in Asia
- Experience of planning and managing finances and budgets

Skills

- Good working knowledge in instructional design theory, adult education, performance-based training of trainers, and course design and development
- Good knowledge of disasters, disaster preparedness and response
- Strong knowledge of disaster management policies, standards and systems in PEER countries
- Skills in planning and implementing training course, workshops, meetings, etc.
Facilitation, communication and co-ordination skills
- Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing and other project management software)
- Excellent inter personal and public relations skills; pleasant personality; team oriented working style; demonstrated ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a multi cultural environment
- Strong skills in general administration, oral and written communication

Core competencies

- Teamwork; commitment to the program; integrity and personal conduct; diplomacy and sensitivity to diversity; flexibility and adaptability; initiative and direction; interpersonal skills to build trust and confidence; resilience; patience
- Strong analytical skills; common sense; desire to learn and undertake new challenges and new work; must be a creative problem-solver; willingness to work hard that pays attention to quality, excellence and efficiency of work

Management competencies

- A high degree of competence in management of strategy; management of change; leadership; planning; management of budgets; management of resources; monitoring; supervision; reporting; communication; networking; management of self; management of others

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the auspices of ADPC and in close coordination with the American Red Cross, the overarching responsibilities of the Training Manager for Community-Based Emergency Response include the following:

- Coordinate with participating Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies and key PEER stakeholders as part of the PEER III project team to design and implement a disaster response course suited for community use to have the course fully institutionalized within participating National Societies by the end of the five-year timeframe, drawing from appropriate elements of PEER II Medical First Responder (MFR) and Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) materials, as well as an array of complementary resources and best practices of other reputable community-based disaster preparedness trainings, such as the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Red Cross Community Disaster Response Team (CDRT) trainings. All materials will be streamlined where possible to promote wider buy-in among stakeholders outside of the PEER program.
- Ensure a high-quality product that can be widely replicated, easily adapted, and implemented at low cost.
- Organize a pilot test of the course alongside a National Society prior to rolling it out to the wider target audience. Fine-tune the training based on feedback from PEER Master Trainers and other key stakeholders.
- Utilize existing PEER Master Trainers to conduct national level courses to train the training teams from Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies (NS) and identified Branch/Chapter participants.
- Strive for strong NS engagement from the onset so as to facilitate ownership and sustainability, actively engaging NS in planning process, program management and decision-making.
- Through coordination and technical assistance, help the NS deliver trainings in two initial targeted communities. Assist with community simulation exercises, response planning, grant programming, etc., as needed.
- Provide course monitoring and evaluation, and feed these findings into course revisions, adaptations, case studies, lessons learned, and other tools.
- Provide additional support as needed to expand the trainings into new communities, as resources and interest allow. Support complementary activities such as early warning needs and public awareness materials for community outreach. Expand the community-based disaster preparedness trainings to Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, and other countries, as needed.

More specifically:

As part of the wide ADPC project team and in close coordination with ARC, the Training Manager will undertake the following responsibilities for program management:

- Work with the project team to review the objectives and results of PEER II and draw strategies applicable for implementing PEER III.
Work with the project team to conceptualize the training function and overall strategy for PEER III and to identify approaches for presenting this training concept to PEER countries in ways that promote dialogue and stakeholder engagement.
- Provide support to Red Cross/Red Crescent NS in strategic planning related to PEER III program objectives, and in implementing program activities.
- Guide the development and implementation in tandem with participating NS of focused and targeted training strategies and work plans for each of the PEER countries.
- Work with the project team to design and develop training policies and management systems for the program including: course design and development guidelines, course adaptation, materials production and adaptation guidance, in-country training policies and procedures, training data base, instructor selection, development and certification, training equipment, etc.
- Help develop manuals and guidance packages for these different training management policies and procedures
- Provide oversight for setting up the materials development and production system for PEER, including provisions for materials adaptation, and the storage and translation of courses.
- Provide oversight for the ongoing maintenance of the training database for PEER, collaborating with the National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET) in Kathmandu and the participating countries, to track courses, instructors, activities, etc.
- Assist in the supervision of the implementation of the project work plan.
- Supervise the coordination and conduct of initial courses in the region.
- Contribute to the design and development of all program activities: meetings, regular and instructional courses, and workshops.
- Help design meetings, workshops and courses and provide instructional and facilitation support.
- Provide guidance to the project team and Red Cross/Red Crescent NS on PEER training methodology and management systems. Monitor their performance vis-à-vis their adherence to these policies and guidelines.
- Assist the project team in developing a PEER monitoring and evaluation system, and supervise its implementation among country partner institutions and NS.
- Contribute to the design and development of mechanisms to facilitate networking and linkages between the NS, demonstration communities and national and regional disaster management organizations, and other stakeholders.
- Prepare and submit routine analytical reports of completed and ongoing activities, addressing issues of quality control, staff development, appropriateness of activities and materials and constraints in achieving program goals and objectives
- Provide services as needed in support of other program objectives to achieve the overall goal of the PEER III Program.
- Maintain frequent informal communication and coordinate with ARC’s field-based Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction Technical Advisor based in Hanoi to draw from the expertise and experience within the Red Cross network and extended relationships.
- Submit formal monthly report to ARC headquarters via the Hanoi ARC representative.