Job Description
DISASTER MANAGEMENT OFFICER
Location : Male’, MALDIVES
Application Deadline : 04-Feb-08
Type of Contract : ALD International
Post Level : ALD-3
Languages Required : English
Duration of Initial Contract : One year
Background
The disaster risk scenario for can be described as moderate in general. Despite this, is among the most severely affected countries hit by the Asian Tsunami on 26 December 2004. The reason for ’ evidently high vulnerability can be attributed to; its particular geographical location, apparent effects of climate change, topographical features, the nature of its economy and associated trends of population concentration.
Prior to the tsunami, the primary vulnerability in the was perceived to be a possible rise in sea levels brought about by climate change. However, a disaster risk study in mid 2005, commissioned by UNDP reveals that the country is also prone to natural hazard risks including storm surges, cyclones, strong winds, tsunami and earthquakes. Exposure to droughts, heavy rains and high waves caused by cyclones in the South Indian Ocean is also a hazard that the country has experienced several times in the past. It is important to add that the predominant dependence of the country upon the tourism and fishery sectors enhances economic and social vulnerability to sea-related hazards.
The tsunami disaster has exposed the multiple vulnerabilities experienced by the people of . It has thereby also presented an opportunity to closely examine the dynamics of such vulnerabilities so that they may be effectively dealt with, to reduce future disaster risks. The present disaster risk management capacity in the country is far below its requirement. Therefore the project aims to enhance the disaster risk management capacity at all levels for sustainable disaster management and linking disaster with development.
Since the Tsunami, UNDP has been engaged with the communities and the Government in developing strategies for effective disaster Management. UNDP with resources up to 3.5 million US$ has initiated the Disaster Risk Management programme with the overall objective of disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. Specifically, it seeks to address the critical gaps in disaster risk management in the country, which includes key elements such as disaster management policy formulation, establish an institutional framework/mechanism for disaster risk management, capacity building and awareness raising, and community based disaster risk management. To date, the programme had already made significant achievements to include support to the setting up of Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) in five (5) strategic regions of the country, supported the acquisition of instruments and equipment for basic Early Warning Systems, completed the draft policy and institutional framework for disaster risk management in the country and trained over a hundred people in various concepts of disaster management. At the community level, it has also initiated community based disaster preparedness planning in two Atolls
Looking forward, the programme intends to sustain its initiatives of enhancing the disaster risk management capacity of the country for sustainable disaster management and risk reduction at all levels specifically focus on capacity building for risk assessment and early warning community based disaster risk management and institutional capacity building of the NDMC, among others and seeks to fully achieve its set objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the general supervision of the Recovery Manager and working closely and with supervision of the DRM Programme Manager, the Disaster Management Officer will entail to:
- Ensure that crisis prevention and recovery (CPR) goals and objectives, specifically Disaster Risk Management and Reduction are incorporated in the new programme cycle of UNDP for the period 2008-2010 by working closely with the CPAP technical working group in the preparation of the CPAP and other related documents e.g. project documents, AWPs.
- Liaise and coordinate with concerned government agencies and stakeholders for the implementation of programme targets and projects supported by various donors, particularly to facilitate achievement of key deliverables of the project on strengthening national and community capacities for effective early warning dissemination and response and other future project as may be assigned by UNDP.
- Coordinate the work of the Detailed Risk Assessment of 9 Safe Islands in the Maldives study including liaising closely with the Consultants and the Regional Capacity Building Programme of the Regional Centre in Bangkok, which funded the project, to ensure completion of the study.
- Liaise and coordinate project activities and support of the Regional Capacity Building programme in Bangkok in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management including but not limited to capacity assessments and institution building for disaster management and enhancing national capacities for risk assessment and building risk knowledge
- Provide guidance, technical training and assistance to concerned project staff on the implementation of the community-based disaster preparedness activities in target atolls and islands including but not limited to ensuring skills transfer and capacity building of local staff and selected government personnel on community based disaster risk management, its processes, methodologies and participatory planning tools, basic principles and strategies of community organizing/development and social mobilization skills; basic networking and partnership building skills ;process documentation skills and preparation of result-based reports; other relevant skills necessary in the performance of his/her duties
- Networking and partnerships in the field of disaster risk management, capacity building and development activities
- Backstop the DRM Programme Manager in implementing the different components of the DRM project to include planning, project monitoring and evaluation, report preparation and resource mobilization.
- Assist the programme in resource mobilization i.e. write/prepare project proposals for donors to support DRM activities, project documents and preparation of project reports including liaising closely with the Programme Support Unit (PSU) in establishing/creating projects in ATLAS and monitoring
- Backstop all relevant project activities including but not limited to preparation/drafting of technical papers, project concept notes, terms of reference for local/international consultants (if any of the project activities so require)
- Perform other related functions as required by the Supervisor.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
- In-depth knowledge on development issues
- Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Development and Operational Effectiveness
- Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
- Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
- Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
- Strong IT skills
- Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change
Management and Leadership
- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Required Skills and Experience
- Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in disciplines such as rural development, disaster management or social science
- At least three (3) years of work experience in rural/community development including one year of work experience in community-based disaster management;
- Excellent ability to quickly grasp and synthesize inputs from a range of disciplines related to disaster management and development;
- Proficient in using the prevalent computer applications (word processing, presentations, email, etc.)
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; and
- Good communication and interpersonal skills, team oriented work style, interest and experience of working in multi-cultural environment.
- Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages is required.
