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National Disaster Response Advisor (NDRA)

Tegucigalpa

  • Organization: UNOCHA - Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
  • Location: Tegucigalpa
  • Grade: Mid/Senior level - Mid/Senior
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Security policy
    • Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
    • Coordination
    • Disaster Management (Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Recovery)
    • Emergency Aid and Response
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background
The National Disaster Response Advisor (NDRA) reports to the OCHA Regional Disaster Response Advisor (RDRA) under the overall supervision of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC). The responsibility of the NDRA is to provide timely and appropriate assistance in disaster response and response preparedness to the United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) as well as the Government in the country concerned.

The NDRA is part of OCHA ROLAC and as all OCHA Staff he/she may be deployed at short notice to support in response to a humanitarian emergency. In all cases, the roles and responsibilities of the NDRA will be limited to those areas which fall within the OCHA mandate.
Duties and Responsibilities
In support to the RC and HCT, the NDRA will have the following main objectives and responsibilities.

  1. Surge and Response

  2. Monitor the situation in the country, with relevance to early warning indicators for emerging crises or disasters including emerging protection issues;

  3. Support the RO’s coordination and response support through the application of the humanitarian programme cycle including collective response planning (i.e.: Multi-Cluster Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA), humanitarian needs overview, strategic response plan, etc.) when required, in close collaboration with national authorities;

  4. Report as required on major events with humanitarian scope and in line with OCHA Regional Office reporting needs, incorporating a protection and assistance lens.

  5. Support country specific humanitarian coordination mechanisms (i.e.: HCT like structures, clusters/sector working groups, etc.) at national and decentralized levels as required.

  6. Regularly participate in inter-agency protection fora (e.g. protection cluster, child-protection sub-cluster, gender-based violence sub-cluster, relevant task forces, etc.) and ensure that the protection needs are systematically reported and appropriately addressed through specific and/or joint activities.

  7. Supports the RC/HC in preparation of CERF proposals and CERF reports for the country.

  8. Preparedness

  9. Work closely with existing planning processes in place in the country, such as UNDAF, 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;

  10. Support the implementation of the humanitarian program cycle risk analysis and the key OCHA preparedness action at the OCHA, system’s and Member State/Regional Institutions level;

  11. Facilitate inter-agency contingency response planning and testing of the same through simulations, as required;

  12. Advocate and create awareness in the country, with UN agencies, NGOs, government authorities, local media and civil society on broader humanitarian issues;

  13. Advocate for the inclusion of a preparedness and resilience lens in planning;

  14. In collaboration with other UN agencies and concerned protection actors assist in the development, planning and implementation of in-country protection strategies,

  15. Based on the New Way of Working propose and support processes to align agency-specific projects and work-plans to support the achievement of the collective outcomes.

  16. Liaise with government authorities, in particular with national emergency management authorities, for information-sharing, capacity building and any other support that might be required;

  17. Prepare regular reports covering protection activities. Prepare briefings, statistical/narrative reports and background information as required including specific information requested by governments and other entities. 3. Partnerships

  18. 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 organizations;

  19. Support the host government in ensuring principled use of military and civil defense assets in support of humanitarian action.

  20. Any other matters as requested by the OCHA Head of Regional Office. Competencies
    Innovation:

Level 3: Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability

  • Adapts deliverables to meet client needs
  • Interprets policy within context and applies with judgment
  • Anticipates obstacles and applies practical solutions
  • Embraces new methods
  • Continually seeks improvement
  • Collaborates to improve methods and delivery

Delivery: Ability to get things done

Level 4: Peer regarded lead expert

  • Critically assesses value and relevance of existing thinking and policy
  • Embraces difficult obstacles that interfere with getting work done
  • Anticipates constraints and identifies solutions
  • Strives to improve team reputation with clients
  • Expands capacity of team to deliver on time and on target
  • Accountable for project implementation and/or team deliverables

Communication
Level 1.2: preparing information for advocacy

  • Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UN’s prioritiesBuilding Strategic Partnerships

Level 1.2: Maintaining a network of contacts

  • 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 stakeholdersJob Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 1.2: Fundamental knowledge of own discipline

  • Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
  • 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 assignmentsCore Competencies

  • 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. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.

  • Informed and transparent decision making
    Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • 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 (at least two years) in a related area may be accepted in lieu of advanced University degree. Experience:

  • Minimum of three years’ experience in humanitarian affairs, disaster response and preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, protection early recovery and rehabilitation, or related field

  • Professional experience in facilitation and preparation of consolidated humanitarian action plans, contingency planning, and delivery of related trainings and workshops.

  • Experience with the UN system, particularly with OCHA would be an asset.

  • Knowledge of the national disaster management system

  • Proven analytical skills and proven ability to manage diverse information and deliver accurate and concise reports in timely fashion

  • UNDAC training and experience would be an asset.

  • Computer literacy

  • Ability to work in high pressure situations with minimum supervision, effectively, and with integrity, in collaboration with people of diverse backgrounds.

  • Ability to effectively represent OCHA and the HCT in high-level meetings with national disaster counterparts and humanitarian partners Language requirements

  • Fluent written and spoken Spanish and English Disclaimer
    Important applicant information

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

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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