Programme Officer (Disaster Risk and Resilience), NOB, Patna, India (This vacancy is only for Indian Nationals)

Bihar, India, with a population of over 104 million people, is characterized by high levels of various child deprivations and vulnerabilities (Bihar falls into the ‘High-Burden State” typology of UNICEF). Efforts to ensure that every child gets the best start in life, thrives and develops to his or her full potential are regularly impacted by various disasters, related to natural (incl. droughts, floods, earthquakes) and man-made hazards. The position is set up to provide technical support to UNICEF Bihar State Office sectoral specialists to risk inform sector programmes following risk analyses as well as to promote facilitate child centered disaster risk governance and better preparedness for response. The incumbent will contribute to efforts to minimize disaster risks to child development including sector-led efforts to build resilience through integration of disaster risk reduction measures into UNICEF supported health, nutrition, WASH, education, child protection and social protection programmes in Bihar (risk informed programming). The position will further facilitate development and maintenance of child centered disaster risk governance and provide coordination for preparedness and response/social sector recovery. Under the direct supervisor of the Child off Field Office, and overall guidance of the Chief, Disaster Risk Reduction Section, the incumbent thus technically assists with risk informing State programmes focusing on most urgent needs of vulnerable children to make them, their communities and social delivery systems more resilient against natural and man-made hazards.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 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. And we never give up!

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For Every Child, AN ADVOCATE

In an effort to measurably improve UNICEF's ability to deliver better results for children, 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 fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the 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.

How can you make a difference?

If you are committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children in the world thereby ensuring a better future for every child, this is the chance to make a difference.  Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Field Office, and overall guidance of the Chief, Disaster Risk Reduction Section, the incumbent thus technically assists with risk informing State programmes focusing on most urgent needs of vulnerable children to make them, their communities and social delivery systems more resilient against natural and man-made hazards.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Serves as UNICEF State Office’s focal point for risk informed programming, DRR, resilience building, climate change and emergency management and contributes to the Country Office Emergency Preparedness Plan and Situation Analyses.
• In collaboration with sector specialists, refines and maintains an updated Child centered disaster risk profile and monitors disaster impact on children and critical social service delivery systems.
• Promotes and facilitates a child centered disaster risk reduction governance system (integration of child centred DRR in State Government Disaster Management and sector strategies, plans and coordination mechanisms at all levels).
• Provides technical advice to UNICEF sector colleagues and State Government to risk inform sector development policies and programmes to reduce child deprivations (focus on education, WASH, health, nutrition, child protection, social protection). In this regard, ensures that disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the State Office's work plans
• Identifies platforms and supports them to empower children and adolescents as agents of change
• Serves as focal point to coordinate UNICEF preparedness and response action (in collaboration with UNICEF sector colleagues, State Government, Inter-Agency Group of NGOs and other partners).

• Engages in partnership building, fundraising and evidence generation as well as knowledge management, advocacy and communication, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.

   

Detailed responsibilities:

PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT

• Assumes responsibility for development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting on specific UNICEF DRR programme interventions in the State.
• Supports the development, implementation and review of risk-informed general and sector specific Disaster Management and climate change strategies and plans at State, district, Gram Panchayat and village level.
• Assists in development of information, education and communication (IEC) strategies and materials.

• Liaises with other staff (WASH, Education, Health, Nutrition, Child Protection, Advocacy & Communication, Communication for Development, Social Protection/PPE) to provide them advice on their efforts to risk inform their programmes by inclusion of related programmatic interventions.

   

  TECHNICAL SUPPORT

• Provides technical support to develop a system to track and monitor disaggregated disaster risk and loss data to assess the impact of disasters on children.
• Represents UNICEF in meetings and joint initiatives implemented by Government, Inter-Agency Group of NGOs and other partners and contributes to joint DRR initiatives and response and recovery following disasters.
• Provides technical support to the State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) the Disaster Management Department (DMA), Roadmap Implementation Support Unit (RISU) and other line Departments, as well as other relevant authorities at division or district level, to implement and monitor the Government of Bihar DRR Roadmap 2015-2030 and strengthen systems for DRR,, specially aimed at improving resilience of children to climate change shocks in the States.
• Based on the DRR Theory of Change/ Conceptual Framework, periodically initiates district, divisional and state level identification, analysis and prioritization of gaps and bottlenecks for sustainable delivery and effective utilization of DRR services.
• In support to the Chief of Field Office, engages with sector specialists and coordinates preparation of Annual UNICEF State Office Emergency Preparedness Plan.
• Monitors and provides timely analysis on risks and disaster impact on children in emergencies through SitReps and other means, promoting and facilitating the respect of the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Situations (CCCs) and other standards to respect humanitarian principles.
• Leads preparation of the Annual UNICEF State Office Emergency Preparedness Plan
• Monitors and provides timely analysis on risks and disaster impact on children in emergencies through SitReps and other means, promoting and facilitating the respect of the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Situations (CCCs) and other standards to respect humanitarian principles.
• Works closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners at all levels to discuss operational and implementation issues, recommend solutions and/or alert officials and other stakeholders for required interventions and/or decisions.
• Keeps record of reports and assessments, including to capture and institutionalize lessons learned

• In collaboration with programme colleagues, proactively provides evidence-based technical inputs to Government and partners in the development of advocacy and social transformative communication strategies and materials.

   

NETWORKING AND PARTNERSHIP BUILDING

• Builds and sustains effective partnerships with DRR sector government counterparts, as well as child centred NGOs and other stakeholders.
• Contributes to effective communication between Government counterparts, Field Office and DRR Section Delhi and DRR Focal points in other states to improve programme results.

• Proactively contributes to the UNICEF India Country Office DRR network to strengthen it.

   

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING

• Analyses financial and programme reports to ensure quality and compliance with UNICEF procedures.
• Prepares regular/mandated program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.
• Organizes and participates in various coordination meetings.
• Participates in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts as required.

• Undertakes field visits.

   

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH

• Prepares or contributes to various internal and external child centered DRR and -resilience related capacity building activities, as well as support preparation of training curricula.
• Contributes to the documentation and dissemination of good practices (including innovations).
• Organizes inter-district, intra-and inter-state learning visits. Participates in joint field visits and special events to promote approaches demonstrated in UNICEF-assisted geographical areas.
• Engages research relevant to understand vulnerability, shocks and stresses including climate change impact.
• (In partnership with other programme staff) Prepares child centered risk analyses and keeps them updated to improve understanding of the multi-dimensional adverse effects (impact) of natural and man-made hazards and disasters, including those linked to climate change.

SELF-DEVELOPMENT

Effectively utilizes organizational training and learning opportunities to keep abreast with technical developments in the sector and to enhance professional development.

Impact of Results

UNICEF India Country Office’s new Country Programme 2018-2022 identifies risk informed programming as one of its programming principles to ensure programme effectiveness. Activities to risk inform programmes are coordinated by the Delhi based Disaster Risk Reduction Section and Disaster Risk and Resilience Officers or focal points in States, who apply a risk and resilience approach based on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

For every Child, you should have …

Requirements of the position (Qualifications, skills and competencies):-

Education

University degree from a recognized University in any of the following disciplines: Social Sciences, disaster risk management, civil engineering, earth sciences, agriculture, public administration, law, public health, nutrition, WASH, International relations, business administration or other related disciplines.

Experience

• Minimum two years’ relevant work experience at the state or national level in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation or administration
• Relevant practical experience in managing projects related to disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation or resilience building
• Demonstrable skills in training, development of guidance and tools as well and adult learning methods with training experience in disaster risk reduction and/or emergency response management highly desirable
• Good knowledge of DRR policy and practice, fragility and peacebuilding, socio-economic effects of climate change, and/or risk assessment and analysis.
• Knowledge and understanding of programme cycle management.
• Excellent communication, including networking skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent writing and oral presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines, handle competing demands, and take initiatives
• Proven ability to work in a team and multi-cultural environment, with minimal supervision
• Enthusiasm for and commitment to development work
• Past experience of working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset.

Technical Knowledge

Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job)

• Essential professional knowledge of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climatic Change programmes.
• Essential Technical Knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the areas of Disaster Risk Reduction and climatic change adaptation programming
• Knowledge of global development, disaster risk reduction/ resilience building and humanitarian issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches
• Knowledge of the principle of gender parity and equality
• Work experience in social sectors, NGO sector or within a government structure desirable
• Proven experience in  conducting research/ surveys within an academic or work related setting
• Proven experience in drafting complicated texts for various audience, preparation of reports and participation in capacity building efforts

• Experience in working with government structures (as counterparts) is an asset

   

Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced

• Government development plans and policies
• Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes.
• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and responses
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions

• UNICEF strategic framework for partnerships and collaborative relationships

   

Other skills and attributes

• Knowledge and use of standard office automation applications related to word processing, graphics presentations etc. as well as Management Information Systems and databases

• Knowledge and training on use of work planning tools an asset

   

  Language Requirements

  Fluency in English and Hindi required.  Knowledge of other Indian languages is an asset.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…..

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Functional Competencies

• Persuading and influencing  (II)
• Applying Technical Expertise (II)
• Planning and Organizing (I)
• Adapting and Responding to Change (II)
• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks (II)

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

 Remarks:  

• Selected applicant will have an initial two (2) year fixed-term contract, with possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training etc. UNICEF is a nonsmoking working environment. 

Please indicate your preferred duty station (s) in the covering letter. For more information about UNICEF India, please refer to the link below: - http://unicef.in/Wherewework

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