Disaster Response Adviser

The National Disaster Response Adviser (NDRA) works under the overall supervision of the OCHA Regional Office for Middle East & Central Asia (ROMENA). On a day-to-day basis, the NDRA works under the guidance of and reports to the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UN RC) in Georgia (on Georgia-related issues including breakaway regions) and provides support and closely interacts with the UN RC in Armenia (on Armenia-related issues) and UN RC in Azerbaijan (on Azerbaijan related issues). S/he will receive technical support and guidance from OCHA ROMENA. This position provides the essential interface between the UN system, members of the NGO community and local disaster management authorities. The NDRA will be based in the UN RC’s Office in Georgia and undertake missions to Armenia and Azerbaijan as per agreed country work plan.

• Provide support to the RC and OCHA ROMENA in emergency response preparedness and emergency response;
• Provide support to the Disaster Management & Humanitarian Country Teams (DMCT & HCT) / humanitarian community and governments in the respective countries particularly in strengthening their disaster response capacities;
• Facilitate the creation of strategic partnerships.

• Monitor the situation of all countries in the region, with particular relevance to vulnerability and early warning indicators for any natural or man-made disasters;
• Support the work of country specific humanitarian coordination mechanisms (i.e. HCT-like structures, clusters/sector working groups, etc.) at national and decentralized levels as required ensuring application of the coordination mechanisms and lines of action defined in the IACP;
• Facilitate coordination of national and international humanitarian assistance among partners;
• Ensure Government – DMCT / HCT effective cooperation defining and promoting national counterparts’ involvement in the application of cluster based coordination model;
• Support the OCHA coordination and response support through the application of the humanitarian program cycle including collective response planning (i.e. MIRA, humanitarian needs overview, strategic response plan, etc.) when required, in close collaboration with national authorities;
• Advise UN RCs on triggering the international relief system, facilitate the deployment and reception of UN Disaster Assessment Coordination (UNDAC) / OCHA missions;
• Supports the RCs/HCs in preparing CERF proposals and CERF reports for the country;
• Participate in the development of strategies for addressing humanitarian needs, such as Flash Appeals and other humanitarian strategy documents, as appropriate;
• Ensure the creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of inter-agency resource mobilization strategies in support of immediate emergency response;
• Support the dissemination of relevant information to the in-country donor community as appropriate;
• Report as required on major events with humanitarian scope and in line with OCHA reporting needs, incorporating a protection and assistance lens;
• Ensure and/or contribute to the preparation of situation reports.

• Work closely with existing country development strategies with the aim of inclusion of DRR and emergency preparedness measures; support implementation of emergency response preparedness components of national strategies on disaster risk management where they exist;
• Support the implementation of the humanitarian programme cycle risk analysis and the key OCHA preparedness action at the internal OCHA system’s and Member State / regional institutions level;
• Support UN RCs in her/his role of DMCT / HCT Chair by providing secretariat support;
• Ensure DMCT / HCT performance through timely planning and implementation as well as ensure a constant information flow between the national DM authorities and the UN RC on disaster related information and DMCT / HCT operations;
• Join the UNCT efforts in facilitating implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relevant to each country through advocating for DRR as an instrument for sustainable development;   
• Advocate and create awareness in the country, with UN agencies, NGOs, government authorities, local media and civil society on broader humanitarian issues including on the various international and local tools, services and mechanisms available for emergency response and response preparedness particularly amongst DM actors; 
• Promote the introduction and adherence to internationally accepted principles, rule of conduct and standards for humanitarian action (SPHERE, UN model Custom Agreement, IDRL, etc.);
• Promote and facilitate as required the Azerbaijan and Georgia Governments’ efforts in joining the INSARAG community;
• Advocate for and ensure elaboration and regular update of inter-agency emergency response preparedness including DMCT / HCT inter-agency contingency plans (IACP) in accordance with IASC guidelines, facilitate the testing of the same through simulations, as required;
• Prepare and update situation reports following any new emergency situations;
• Liaise with government authorities, in particular with national emergency management authorities for information-sharing, capacity building and any other support that might be required;
• Advocate for the inclusion of a preparedness and resilience lens in planning in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia including interpretation of resilience approach in relation to local context, provision of technical expertise and professional support towards piloting the community-based resilience building projects, facilitation of government, NGO, business community and public engagement into resilience initiatives, support the introduction of required training materials and tools;
• Promote the SFDRR amongst Government, IASC, and other relevant actors, particularly in relation to priority 4 on “Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction”;
• Identify training needs of humanitarian partners and the Government in the field of emergency response preparedness and emergency response widely utilizing web-based learning opportunities;
• Ensure circulation of relevant early warning information amongst NGOs and UN partners; ensure coordination of preparedness activities in response to this information;
• In case of an impending emergency, alert the UN RC and DCMT / HCT and advise on the steps that need to be taken;
• Support and facilitate the functioning of the Information Management (IM) Working Group in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia if/when established;
• Provide support to OCHA ROMENA on regional data preparedness, risk/vulnerability mapping, assessments and early warning by facilitating the OCHA IM team missions and initiatives in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, ensuring their permanent contacts with relevant in country state and non-state partners, assisting in conduction of regional and country workshops where relevant;
• Implement country-specific OCHA strategy and action plan in cooperation with UN RC Office, DMCT / HCT member agencies and government counterparts.

• Contribute to the dialogue between OCHA and any regional partner based in-country;
• Contribute to communication of OCHA’s priorities and policies in support of the humanitarian response in specific contexts to host governments and in-country regional / international organizations;
• Support the host government in ensuring principled use of military and civil defense assets in support of humanitarian action. Any other matters as requested by the OCHA Head of Regional Office.

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;  
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment; 
• Self-development, initiative-taking; 
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively; 
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating the DMCT’s / HCT’s mandate.

• Assesses overall performance of preparedness and emergency response mechanism to identify success factors and incorporates best practices;
• Researches linkages across preparedness and emergency response activities of DMCT / HCT members and partners to identify critical points of integration;
• Monitors progress on implementation of agreed activities to enhance DMCT / HCT action;
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for enhancing preparedness and emergency response in the countries of concern;
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals for emergency preparedness and response and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly.

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues;
• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.

• Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors ;
• Maintains a database of project profiles. Identifies opportunities for inter-agency project proposals on preparedness and emergency response for presentation to donors.

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches.

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for the DMCT / HCT goals for a variety of audiences;
• Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for advocating for the DMCT / / HCT mandate.

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in political or social science, international relations, public administration or related field. A combination of relevant academic background (at least a first level university degree i.e. bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and extensive relevant professional experience in a related area may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, natural disaster response and preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, early recovery and rehabilitation, or related field;
• Professional experience in facilitation and preparation of consolidated humanitarian action plans, contingency planning processes, and deliverance of related trainings and workshops. Experience in resource mobilization desirable;
• Proven analytical skills and experience on timely delivery of written reports, prepared in an accurate and concise manner;
• Familiarity with the UN system would be a strong asset.
• Computer literacy (Excel, Internet, Word);
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, with efficiency, competence and integrity with people of different national background. Adherence to core competencies of professionalism, planning and organizing and teamwork.

• Fluent written and spoken English;
• Working knowledge of Armenian / Azerbaijani / Georgian languages would be a strong asset.

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

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