Organizational Context The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 191-member National Societies. The Organization acts before, during and after disasters and other crisis in order to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. Our work is guided by seven fundamental principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unit and universality) and our humanitarian values (the people, integrity, partnerships, diversity, leadership, innovation) and by Strategy 2030, which voices our collective vision and determination to move forward in tackling the major challenges that confront humanity in the present decade. The Health, Disaster, Climate and Crisis (HDCC) Unit plays a central role in the coordination of disaster readiness and response system during emergencies in the Americas, a system that is made up of sub regional and national actors of the Red Cross Movement in the Andean sub-region (Perú, Ecuador and Bolivia). Therefore, the principal role of the Disaster Risk Management is to provide technical support to Ecuadorian Red Cross (ERC) focusing on humanitarian response and early recovery efforts after the recent emergencies. Key to the position is the technical contribution to the building and strengthening of the ERC disaster management capacities. This is done in coordination with, and often under the leadership of, Country Cluster Delegation (CCD) Andean Countries /ARO technical units. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct that is incompatible with the objectives of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including, but not limited to, financial misconduct). The IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.
Job Purpose
Based in Quito, the Disaster Risk Management Senior Officer will report to the Coordinator of Programs and Operations of the CCD.
He/she will work in building national, regional and institutional (including IFRC Secretariat) disaster risk management cycle (including preparedness, response, recovery and resilience capacities) to enable them to improve their disaster management programming and be an advocate for IFRC’s Preparedness for Effective Response approach and recovery programming.
He/she assures ongoing collaboration with all relevant partners in the region in the field of disaster risk management and will also work on further developing these relationships. He/she contributes to the quality improvement of the DRM programme of NS throughout the region.
The Disaster Risk Management Senior Officer will ensure a process of close collaboration with the ERC to develop their disaster management programs, with the ultimate goal of increasing community resilience to disasters, improving the disaster preparedness of National Society and their branches, and enhancing community resilience.
Thus, the Disaster Risk Management Senior officer will be deployed to the field on a regular basis of his/her time in support to National Society, working on the following objectives:
Increasing preparedness for effective response, working with the National Society to build response capacity prior to disasters, including contingency planning and Early Warning, Early Action Protocols forming Rapid Response Teams, Stock Prepositioning, and supply chains. Supporting of timely and high-quality humanitarian response when a disaster strikes, ensuring sound operational management and coordination in the field. Support the National Society to design long-term resilience building programmeIn coordination with the line manager, the Disaster Risk Management Senior Officer will submit progress reports on the activities described in this job description on a monthly basis.
Although the position is focused on providing support to the Ecuadorian Red Cross, in emergency situations determined by the line manager, support will be required to other National Societies and countries cover by the Andean cluster.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
· Maintaining strong relationships and cooperation with other CCD/ARO units providing leadership to National Society’s timely response to disasters.
· Support ERC in managing emergency operations including the ongoing emergency appeal.
· Ensure disaster response operations outcomes/deliverables are achieved in a timely fashion, within budgets, in accordance with requirements, formats and standards and maintaining the standards for relief, early recovery and longer-term development goals.
· Work closely with the NS team and IFRC PMER senior officer to ensure that timely and accurate narrative reports are prepared and are in line with requirements specified in the projects agreements or standard Federation reporting guidelines.
· Ensure disaster and crisis response operations are appropriate and aligned with International Federation guidelines and policies (SPHERE, Code of Conduct, Principles and Rules for Disaster Relief, Seville agreement, etc.)
· Support ERC in the managing of Disaster Response Emergency Fund operations including budget management, Early Action Protocols (Acting budget holder) and Emergency Appeals, writing, implementation, reporting, evaluation and resource mobilization. Define timeframes, deliverables/outcomes and costs.
· Provide technical guidance to ensure the optimal coordination and direct management of resources required for the effective and efficient implementation of emergency operations.
· Contribute to a shared vision of how to respond to the affected population's assessed and expressed needs and capture it in the Operational Strategies or Emergency Plan of Action (DREF/EAP).
· Work with other technical units to ensure key elements such as green response, protection, gender and inclusion of individuals is included in operation strategies.
· Deploy to crisis sites in coordination with the affected NS when levels of threat are high, accompanied by the adequate specialized delegates if needed.
· Ensure comprehensive high-quality assessments are carried out taking into consideration accountability to beneficiaries and in accordance with the affected population's needs.
· Ensure constant monitoring of threats and risks in the region and update risk watch in the weekly Operations meeting and prepare information messages and situation reports in case of emergencies and share with ARO.
· Support the NS to complete the Child protection and safeguarding checklist.
· Share periodically information on implementation with ARO regarding DREF and EAP under his/her responsibility.
· Recommend and coordinate the deployment of relevant International Federation disaster response tool (HEOps, ERU, CAP cell), in support of National Society disaster management structures when requested by the National Society and when the disaster exceeds their capacity.
· Facilitate the linkage of National Society with the different specialized technical support units of the CCD or the technical disaster management services of the HDCC, such as Shelter, Livelihoods, Health, Water and Sanitation, and specific interventions of Disaster Law when necessary.
· Provide technical support to facilitate collaboration between the Federation, Red Cross partners, the UN, and other organizations in disaster response, ensuring adequate preparedness, and appropriate, efficient, and timely emergency response and early recovery.
· Liaise with Membership Services, PMER, Quality Assurance, Finance, Strategic Engagement and Partnerships to enhance regional response coordination and ensure well-coordinated operations.
· Assist in the development and maintenance of a sufficient Rapid Response Personnel capacity and management structure (Surge capacities) to ensure regional capability to deploy.
Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
Duties applicable to all staff
1. Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager
Education
University Degree in social sciences, international law, humanitarian law, international relations. Required Operations Management Course (OMC). Preferred Trained as IMPACT, FACT, ERU, RIT/RDRT or ENAP, CAP, ETL. Preferred Acquired Early Recovery skills through trainings (cash, livelihood, shelter…) Preferred Relevant University Degree (Disaster Risk Management, Conflict Management, Development Planning, Disaster Risk Reduction, Humanitarian Affairs, Humanitarian Action, Emergency Response etc.) PreferredExperience
+5 year experience of disaster preparedness and response experience. Required +5 Field experience in coordinating disaster and crisis management projects and activities. Required +5 year experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation. Required +3 year work experience with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, and/or with a National Society or for a Humanitarian aid organization in a developing country. Preferred +3 year experience in managing relations with donors and partners. Work experience with other international organizations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies. Required Deployed at least once in the field to lead and manage an emergency operation as a FACT TL, or as an ERU TL, or as a RIT TL, or as a CAP TL or as an IFRC Head of Operation, or as an IFRC Disaster Manager or as an IFRC Head of Delegation or as a PNS Emergency desk. Preferred Managed at least once an IFRC Emergency Appeal; Early action Protocol or a DREF from the field. Preferred Good knowledge and relevant work experience in the regional context within Ecuador, Perú and/or Bolivia. Required Acquired Early Recovery skills through operations. PreferredKnowledge, Skills and Languages
Knowledge and Skills
Ability to work in a diverse cultural context. Required Strong knowledge of information sharing tools, and the ability to implement Them. Required Highly organised and able to work independently and proactively, with ability to work in team. Required Overall understanding of budget and finance management. Required Demonstrated skill in analytical and strategic thinking. Required Skills in training and developing staff. Required Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing. Required Valid international driving licence (manual gears). Required Proved capability to be self-organized and flexible. Required Excellent interpersonal and listening skills. Required Good verbal and written communication skills. Required Familiarity with current standards and guidelines for humanitarian emergency response. Required Knowledge of Fundamental Principles and RCRC Movement. PreferredLanguages
Fluently spoken and written Spanish. Required Knowledge of spoken and written English. Required Good command of another IFRC official language (i.e., French) or any other language relevant in the region. Preferred