UNICEF seeks to recruit an emergency manager ( International fixed term- P4 Level), Somali Region, Jijiga, Ethiopia

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

 

For every child, Saving Lives

UNICEF Ethiopia has been working in Ethiopia for the last 65 years supporting the national and regional efforts towards the progressive realization of the rights of children and women.

We do this by supporting the achievements of the Growth and Transformation Plan II as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through our programmes in Health, Nutrition, WASH, Child Protection, Education and Social Policy and Evidence on Social Inclusion.

In addition, UNICEF Ethiopia has been leading the support in humanitarian programmes relentlessly working towards responding to emergency needs.

The Somali region borders the Ethiopian regions of Oromia and Afar to the west, as well as Djibouti to the north, Somalia to the north, east and south and Kenya to the southwest. Somali region is predominantly inhabited by Moslem pastoralists (85 per cent). There are significant geographical disparities and there are visible developmental inequities within the region, whereby, 32.8 per cent of the population lives well below the poverty line. Somali region is one of the four regions classified as a Developing Regional State (DRS) by the Ethiopian Government. These are regions where poverty incidences are higher and social indicators lag significantly behind the national averages. In addition, the region is prone to drought, floods, disease outbreaks and inter-clan conflicts.

UNICEF supports the Somali Regional Government to reach its most vulnerable populations through several initiatives such as the Mobile Health and Nutrition team (MHNT) to implement Basic Social Services (BSS) interventions that include health, nutrition, education, Water Sanitation and Health (WASH) and child protection and aim at accelerating development in the most ‘lagging behind’ woredas. UNICEF also responds to emergencies in the region, by supporting cluster coordination and providing the necessary lifesaving supplies.

The  chronic and complex emergency in the Somali region that requires senior level leadership to support the Chief Field Office in ensuring efficient rapid response, impactful inter-agency coordination , real time monitoring and reporting as well as support in resource mobilisation for the emergency response.

 

How can you make a difference?

Under the direction and guidance of Chief Field Office, coordinates overall field office emergency preparedness and response. Responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency interventions, to ensure the survival and well-being of children and mothers and affected communities in emergency.  Provides coordination and support for policy and programme planning and management in UNICEF supported emergency programme.

 

Key accountabilities and duties & tasks :

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primary, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

Emergency Preparedness :

1. Ensures that adequate emergency preparedness measures are taken through the development and updating of contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms, which leads to more effective preparedness and response to specific emergencies ;
2. Participates in the formulation and development of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies, and monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action, including financial resources. Ensures coordination of the management of emergency preparedness and response ;
3. Provides policy and program advice related to emergencies, including on management related issues. Provides direction and guidance to the country office in the implementation of emergency preparedness measures, which strengthens preparedness and response mechanisms in the country faced with impending emergencies ;
4. Develops and maintains databases on regional information, and ensures the flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergencies. Identifies availability of resources in emergency prone areas and establishes logistics plans to be implemented during an emergency operation, to ensure a timely and effective emergency response ;
5. Assists in developing and conducting emergency training courses specifically designed for regional standby Emergency Response Teams; participates in these courses with the Team, and participates in other emergency training workshops in the region, leading to build-up in the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff and implementing partners. Plans, organizes and conducts training for the office’s staff capacity building in emergencies preparedness and response.

Emergency Response :

1. In the event of an emergency, takes prompt action as Team Leader or member of the Emergency Response Team which is deployed immediately to establish UNICEF’s presence and implement the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance. Ensures that the office is provided with effective telecommunications facility and security assistance for the staff in an emergency, as necessary ;
2. Assesses local conditions resulting from the emergency situation affecting children and their families in the region. Leads and/or participates in needs assessment missions in conjunction with the Country Office, in order to determine priorities and an appropriate intervention by UNICEF. Participates in UN Country team emergency response and contributes to assessing the crisis and humanitarian situation in the region with special regard to the survival, protection and wellbeing of children, adolescents and women ;
3. Assists the Chief Field office in emergency operations oversight and program management to ensure that the funding, budget, management, reporting, and field presence coordination are managed efficiently and effectively with clear accountabilities.

Emergency Project :

1. Prepares inputs for appeals and updates related to emergencies as well as project proposals for emergency. Works with Emergency Manager(Addis), program sections and senior management to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding, including annual or multi-annual humanitarian appeals and documents ;
2. Establishes longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions. Plans and develops a more regular operational and staffing structure to take over from the Emergency Response Team ;
3. Maintains continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors and allies to appeal for aid for children and women with the special needs resulting from emergency situations requiring effective emergency responses in all sectors. Identifies implementing/operational partners and establishes implementing arrangements. Ensures that the UNICEF support is effectively provided to the government with respect to sectoral coordination within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the Core Commitment for Children ;
4. Represents UNICEF in all humanitarian and recovery related forum at the strategic level and keeps management informed of all humanitarian developments in the country in terms of policies, strategy, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in partnership ;
5. Ensures that disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the country office’s workplans. Prepares sectoral input for the country programme documents, plan of action, annual workplans, and all related documents of the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response. Contributes towards the preparation of the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document.

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields ;
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree ;
• A minimum of Eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and administration ;
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is highly desired ;
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are :

• Leading and Supervising  [II]
• Analyzing  [II]
• Deciding and Initiating Action  [III]
• Persuading and Influencing  [III]
• Applying Technical Expertise  [III]
• Planning and Organizing  [II]
• Adapting and Responding Change  [III]
• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks  [III]

View our competency framework at : http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

 

Remarks :

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.