UNICEF  seeks to recruit an Emergency Specialist (P-4 Temporary Appointment), Goma DRC (UNICEF Ebola Response)

Job no: 525624
Work type: Temporary Appointment
Location: Congo, Dem. Rep
Categories: Emergency Programme, P-4

For every child, make a difference

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in its programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why UNICEF’s focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, security

Democratic Republic of Congo

In spite of its vast physical size and limitless natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 176th out of 188 countries in the 2015 human development report. Child poverty is widespread, particularly in conflict-affected and hard-to reach areas. According to a recent UNICEF study, 80 percent of children aged zero to 15 years old experience at least two major child rights deprivations. Despite sustained growth in recent years, the size of DRC’s economy remains far too small to provide enough government revenue to meet the basic needs of the population, children in particular. Since 2016, political instability, the persistence of conflicts in Eastern DRC and a sharp fall in global commodity prices have been aggravating factors.

DRC is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the World where UNICEF works to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path.

Ebola in DRC:

The Democratic Republic of the Congo declared on 1 August 2018, an outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, the tenth in the country since 1976.

The Ebola outbreak in DRC continues to take place in the provinces North Kivu and Ituri, both affected by conflict and armed violence.

As of 9 June 2019, a total of 2062 cases have been detected with 1,968 confirmed and 94 probable cases identified, of which 1,390 have died (a fatality rate of 67 %).

To face this situation the DRC government and partners including UNICEF are supporting the implementation of the National Joint Response Plan to the Ebola outbreak under the leadership of the Ministry of Health. As part of the response, a Joint Nutrition and food assistance strategy was developed by the Government and UN agencies (WHO, UNICEF, WFP). The strategy is being accompanied by three guidelines i.e. (1) the National Nutritional and Food Strategy Guidelines for the EVD Response, (sector), and (2) the Nutritional Care Protocol for Ebola Treatment Centre, with the simplified algorithm for nutritional care for Ebola affected population (reviewed by HQ and adopted by MoH in Beni) and (3) the Infants and Young children feeding (IYCF) in community guidelines (still to be validated) developed in partnership with other partners that include WFP, WHO, MSF, ALIMA, and the National Nutrition Program- PRONANUT.

How can you make a difference to UNICEF in DRC?

The DRC Country Office is seeking to recruit an Emergency Specialist (P-4) on a Temporary Appointment Contract. The Emergency Specialist will be responsible for coordinating UNICEF’s overall Ebola Response emergency preparedness and response. She/He will be responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency interventions, including fund-raising for emergency activities, to ensure the survival and well-being of children and mothers and affected communities in emergency. The Emergency Specialist will provides coordination and support for policy and programme planning and management in UNICEF supported emergency activities in its Ebola Response in Eastern DRC.

Key End-Results

  1. Emergency preparedness is effectively arranged together with establishment of country contingency plans and early warning mechanisms.
  2. Emergency preparedness and response plans addresses gender issues that may be expected to intensify during emergencies.
  3. Emergency plans of action are developed, and compliance and coordination of all sectors with the plans are implemented.
  4. Policy advice on emergencies and programme guidance related to implementation of emergency preparedness measures are effectively provided.
  5. Coordination and management of emergency preparedness and response and a consistent flow of information of the humanitarian situation are effectively maintained within the office.
  6. Significant improvements are made in the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff and implementing partners through conduct of effective training activities.
  7. In the event of an emergency, UNICEF’s presence is promptly established and the initial emergency operational tasks are effectively executed, including provision of support for information communication technology, telecommunications facility and all staff security related assistance in the country office.
  8. Needs assessment is effectively conducted to determine priorities and an appropriate intervention by UNICEF based on the local emergency situation affecting children and their families and community.
  9. Effective assistance is provided to the (Deputy) Representative in emergency operations oversight and program management with clear accountabilities.
  10. Emergency appeals and project proposals are prepared, and concerted efforts are put forward to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding.
  11. Longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions are determined to develop a regular operational and staffing structure.
  12. Continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison are maintained with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors and allies in support of the special needs of children and women affected by emergency situations within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the Core Commitment for Children.
  13. Management is kept informed of humanitarian developments in relevant policies, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in the country.
  14. Emergency preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the country office’s workplans. Sectoral input is provided for all related documents for the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response, as well as for the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks   

Emergency Preparedness

  1. Ensures that adequate emergency preparedness measures are taken through the development and updating of country 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 country/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. In coordination with the programme and operations groups, establishes contact with all UNICEF staff and their dependants and visitors to ensure their safety and whereabouts, and informs OPSCEN and the Regional Director of their status.
  2. Assesses local conditions resulting from the emergency situation affecting children and their families in the country. Leads and/or participates in needs assessment missions in conjunction with the Regional Office, the HQ Divisions, and field staff, 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 country with special regard to the survival, protection and wellbeing of children, adolescents and women.
  3. Assists the (Deputy) Representative 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 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.

Qualifications and Competencies

Education

  • Advanced University degree 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.

Work Experience

  • 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 (for IP) or field work experience (for NO).
  • Specialized training/experience in emergency response management highly desirable.

Language Proficiency 

  • Fluency in French and a very good command of English required.

Competency Profile 

  1. i)  Core Values
  • Commitment
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Integrity
  1. ii)  Core Competencies
  • Communication
  • Working with People
  • Drive for Results

iii) Functional Competencies

  • Leading and Supervising
  • Formulating Strategies and Concepts
  • Analyzing
  • Relating and Networking
  • Deciding and Initiating Action
  • Persuading and Influencing
  • Applying Technical Expertise
  • Planning and Organizing
  • Adapting and Responding to Change
  • Coping with Pressure and Setbacks

      

  1. iv)Technical Knowledge
  2. a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required 
  • UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international emergency issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
  • Knowledge of global humanitarian issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches.
  • Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes.
  • UN security operations and guidelines.
  • Knowledge of humanitarian reform principles, international humanitarian laws, reform updates.
  • Knowledge of the latest developments and trends in emergency preparedness and response management related fields.
  • Knowledge of the principle of gender parity and equality.

  1. b) Common Technical Knowledge Required
  • The UNICEF mission statement; UNICEF Board policy papers and decisions
  • The Core Commitments for Children in Emergencies
  • The Convention on the Rights of the Child; Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women
  • EMOPS Technical Notes, EMOPS Emergency Field Book
  • UNICEF Program Manuals, policy guidelines, ExDirs, PROs; Country Programme documentation
  • UNICEF personnel, financial, supply and administrative rules, regulations and manuals
  • National development plans and policies; Guidelines and manuals from NGO/donor partners
  • Annual work plan
  • UNDAF; The UN Humanitarian Reform; IASC documents, guidelines and materials on UN Humanitarian Reform and the cluster approach
  • Information & Communications Technology literacy, including skills and knowledge of office system applications, LAN, internet navigation, telecommunications, and data analysis.

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:

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

Advertised: 12 Aug 2019 W. Central Africa Standard Time
Applications close: 18 Aug 2019 11:55 PM W. Central Africa Standard Time

Apply here

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