Unicef recruits an Emergency Specialist, P3, WCARO, Dakar-Senegal #110789

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.

 

Context and Purpose of the Position :

The WCARO Emergency section is seeking to identify an Emergency Specialist (P3) that will support Country Offices across the region to strengthen emergency preparedness and knowledge management.

As emergencies become more frequent, the expectations of UNICEF to deliver on the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) in a timely and effective manner will continue to increase.  Emergency preparedness significantly enhances UNICEF’s ability to meet these expectations and save time and resources in the response.  Our research with WFP and DFID indicates that every $1 spent on preparedness is worth more than $2 in the emergency response, and that preparedness interventions accelerate response activities by more than one week.

UNICEF’s Preparedness for Emergency Response Procedure and Guidance Note were issued on 31 December 2016.

The Procedure explains what all UNICEF Offices must do to prepare to respond in the event of a humanitarian crisis, starting from a ten-point checklist of Minimum Preparedness Actions and Standards (MPS).  The associated Guidance Note describes in detail the preparedness planning process and actions all Offices should undertake, putting UNICEF’s efforts within the bigger picture of interagency preparedness and explaining how we complement our partners’ work in preparedness and response.  Every year, all UNICEF Country Offices worldwide, as well as Regional Offices and HQ undertake their preparedness planning process through four steps: 1) Risk Analysis, 2) Scenario Definition, 3) UNICEF Response Activities, 4) UNICEF Preparedness Actions and Minimum Preparedness Standards.

The Emergency Preparedness Platform (EPP) was developed in 2017 as the corporate tool to support all Regional and Country Offices in planning and monitoring preparedness.  In 2018 all Country Offices and Regional Offices completed the onboarding process and undertook their annual preparedness planning using the EPP. The EPP allows access to the preparedness plans of Country Offices and Regional Offices and monitoring of preparedness levels.

In 2019, UNICEF will continue to strengthen preparedness with a focus on :

• quality of preparedness plans and implementation of preparedness actions ;
• compliance with the Minimum Preparedness Standards ;
• integration of preparedness actions in Country Office Annual Work Plans (AWP).

 

Key Tasks :

Technical Assistance and quality control of County Office Preparedness :

• Provide in-country and/or remote technical assistance to COs for their annual preparedness planning process and ensure COs comply with UNICEF preparedness procedure ;
• Support COs to undertake the 4-step preparedness planning process: Risk Analysis, Scenario Definitions, Response Planning and Preparedness Actions using the Emergency Preparedness Platform (EPP) ;
• Provide quality control for the preparedness plans and preparedness products that COs produce ;
• Monitor preparedness levels in COs by closely following the implementation of short term preparedness activities for all MPS ;
• Support COs to include preparedness actions in Annual Work Plans (AWP) ;
• Support COs to participate in Inter-Agency preparedness planning.

Support Regional Office Preparedness :

• Coordinate the preparedness work of the WCARO Emergency Technical Team (ETT). The ETT includes emergency focal points for all UNICEF Sections (Health, WASH, Nutrition, Child Protection, Education, C4D, Supply, HR, Operations) ;
• Ensure the ETT provides technical quality control of County Office preparedness plans ;
• Coordinate the preparedness planning processes of the Regional Office using the Emergency Preparedness Platform and involving the ETT ;
• Monitor preparedness levels of the RO by following closely on the implementation of short term preparedness activities for all MPS ;
• Support analysis of risks in the WCAR region and contribute to preparing documents and briefings on UNICEF preparedness ;
• Enhance the contribution of preparedness to the resilience and humanitarian/development nexus agenda.

Engage in the UNICEF Preparedness Reference Group :

• Together with the WCARO Emergency Specialist, participate in the global UNICEF Preparedness Reference Group ;
• Review and provide inputs for the development of preparedness products and tools including revisions to the Procedure and Guidance Note and improvements to the EPP platform.

Humanitarian Learning & Knowledge Management :

• Plan and support the facilitation of preparedness learning/training activities in the region ;
• Contribute to the development of learning materials on Preparedness and EPP ;
• Develop a preparedness knowledge management plan for 2019 ;
• Document good practices on UNICEF preparedness, accountability to affected populations (AAP), CASH programming, Humanitarian-Development Nexus in the region ;
• Develop case studies on how preparedness contributes to emergency response .


Support the WCARO Emergency Section :

• Review monthly Situation Reports produced by UNICEF COs ;
• Update the regional Humanitarian Performance Monitoring database ;
• Participate in Regional Emergency meetings and support preparation of key documents (minutes, briefings) ;
• Support the organization of the Emergency Section SharePoint document library ;
• Contribute to reporting and proposal writing as needed.

Expected Results :

The staff member will work closely with the WCARO Emergency team to strengthen preparedness of 24 Country Offices in the region and of the Regional Office.

 

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

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, anthropology, sociology, social sciences, international relations, engineering or related field ;
• University Degree with additional 2 years of experience may be considered in lieu of an Advanced Degree.

Work Experience :

• Five years progressively responsible professional experience mainly in humanitarian action. Complementary experience in international development is also an advantage ;
• Experience working at country level in an emergency context, is an advantage ;
• Specialized training/experience in emergency preparedness/response highly desirable ;
• Experience working with UNICEF is a plus.

Languages :

• Oral and written fluency in both English and French is required. Knowledge of Spanish or Portugues would be an asset .

 

Conditions of work :

The position is based at the West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO) in Dakar, Senegal with extensive travel (up to 50% of the time) across the region.

 

For every Child, you demonstrate commitment :

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

 

Qualifications of Successful Candidate :

Values & Competencies :

Core Values :

• Commitment ;
• Diversity and Inclusion ;
• Integrity .

Core Competencies :

• Communication ;
• Working with People ;
• Drive for Results .

Functional Competencies :

• Analyzing ;
• Deciding and Initiating Action ;
• Persuading and Influencing ;
• Applying Technical Expertise ;
• Planning and Organizing ;
• Adapting and Responding Change ;
• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks .

Technical knowledge :

• Proven understanding of programmatic and operational challenges in emergency settings ;
• Experience in preparedness and/or DRR ;
• Familiarity with risk analysis ;
• Experience in emergency response ;
• Knowledge of humanitarian coordination and IASC preparedness approach ;
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute complex processes in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders ;
• Advanced ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts ;
• Demonstrated ability to establish harmonious and effective working relationships with several stakeholders .

 

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.