Project Analyst

Liberia still faces daunting recovery challenges. The socio-economic shocks stemming from Ebola, exacerbated by near economic collapse caused by a spiral of commodity prices even as it seeks to consolidate peace and enhance development in a transition context. The increasing frequency and magnitude of climate change induced risks and disasters including floods, wind storms and sea erosion give impetus for effective implementation of the national policy and a coordinated response to disasters. This impetus is also driven by a need to prevent and reduce the risks related to these hazards because of high vulnerability from over fourteen years of war, poverty and low human and physical capacity. 

All the above render the country highly exposed and vulnerable to disasters, whilst putting significantly strain on national coping capacities as institutional and organizational capacities remain weak and limited in prevention and response. A key challenge in Liberia concerns the coordination of actors working in disaster risk reduction/disaster management.  On the one hand the issue concerns the plethora of non-governmental organization’s present in Liberia (national and international) and that intervene in the sector.  This, coupled with the limited capacities of the Government means that coordination is of critical importance due to the multiplicity of actors involved in disaster response and overall development in support of reduced disaster risk and resilience.

The establishment of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and design of a national policy and plan to address disasters signals the government’s commitment to bring about better coordination for preparedness and response to disasters, including capacity for early warning systems. Prior to the NDMA, development partners provided support to the Government of Liberia (GOL), through the National Disaster Relief Commission (NDRC) which until 2007 focused primarily on emergency response/relief and aiding victims of disasters. With UNDP support, a capacity needs assessment was conducted, a National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction developed and a policy framework put in place – the National Disaster Management Policy. Nevertheless, even with this investment, the capacity for disaster response remains weak both at the national and local levels. The Ebola crisis exposed this in a profound manner and acted as a wake-up call on the urgency to for GOL and partners to establish national disaster risk management system for effective management of disaster response mechanism at the national and county level. 

Inter-Agency Multi-Hazard Initiative

In April 2017, the UNCT received a grant of $2.5m from the post-ebola Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) to support a coordinated action to build multi-hazard preparedness and response capacities for epidemics and disasters. Using the lessons learned and past recommendations, it seeks to reinforce national and subnational capacity detecting, preventing and mitigating outbreaks and in support the government to strengthen multi-hazard preparedness and response that includes human and animal health, and disaster risk reduction to reduce avoidable illnesses, deaths, disabilities and vulnerabilities due to epidemics, disasters and other hazards. The project will aim to support the drafting and implementation of the multi-hazard national public health emergency preparedness and response plan including the laboratory capacity, functionality of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) at national and county level,  risk communication and community engagement, implementation of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy, implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for public health emergencies at Points of Entry (PoE).

UNDP is implementing a portion of this project, for $600,000 specifically to strength the capacity of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), working with relevant line ministries as well as agencies such as the Civil Aviation Authority and the Liberia Maritime Authority among others, in advancing a coordinated multi-partner effort and in developing a disaster preparedness and response plan. Hence, Liberia will require resources and coordinated action to build multi-hazard preparedness and response capacities for epidemics and disasters. In order to ensure effective implementation, UNDP is recruiting a Program Analyst, under its Energy and Environment Programme to be deployed to the NDMA to provide support in coordinating a multi-partner effort and in the implementation of a disaster preparedness and response plan. The post will also support coordination activities related to the work of the Disaster Management Committees at the national and at the sub-national level. The Programme Analyst will work under the day to day supervision of the Deputy Director/NDMA and under the oversight of the Programme Specialist, Energy and Environment, UNDP and will work liaison with the government and local DRR actors as well as international partners (NGO, UNCT, Regional bodies/ECOWAS) involved in DRR. 

Under the day-to-day supervision of the Deputy Director/NDMA and general oversight of the Programme Specialist, Energy and Environment, UNDP, the incumbent will provide programme and operational support to the coordination of DRR activities under the NDMA’s work plan working through and with various DRR working groups, and task teams in close coordination with UNDP and government/DRR counterparts. Specifically, this will entail the following:

Provide program and capacity development support to the implementation and management of the of Disaster Risk Reduction under NDMA’s Work Plan, linked to UNDP’s E&E Programme

• Support the drafting and implementation of the multi-hazard national public health emergency preparedness and response plan
• Strengthen NDMA coordination structures and mechanism to implement the DRR policy, primarily, the County DRR teams – both in terms of developing tools/processes for coordination– but also in terms of them providing support at the County Level

Timely implementation of DRR programme activities

• Coordinate and strengthen collaboration with national partners to support implementation and expansion of the of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change
• Identify opportunities for capacity building of partners and facilitate technical/ programming support and trainings to partners, as needed (south-south exchanges)
• Participate in drafting annual workplan and budget
• Draft and provide inputs to annual and quarterly reports, including support Board meetings (preparations, minutes, follow-up).

1.      Communication and operational support to NDMA

• Regular coordination, communication and network with the DRR actors national and international
• Build partnership and collaboration with the different partners and stakeholders in DRR including CSO and private sector
• Sharing of communication and advocacy on critical actions, activities and decisions taken
• Coordination of meetings and workshops of the working group and sub-working groups and follow up of joint actions and decisions taken

2.      Monitoring and reporting (narrative/financial) of the under the MPTF project

• Monitor progress of implementation of activities and finances using results based management tools
• Draft reports on monitoring missions, programme results s, outputs and outcomes;
• Preparation of donor and UNDP reports
• Monitor budget implementation and make budget re-alignments/ revisions, as necessary

3.  Contribute to inter-agency coordination to achieve a coherent and aligned presence for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change, including knowledge management 

• Provide substantive technical support to the Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Humanitarian Action team on inter-agency coordination related activities by drafting background reports and briefs.
• Develop background documents, briefs and presentations related to Disaster Risk Reduction,
• Coordinate and organize advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products;
• Coordinate the development of knowledge management methodologies, and products on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change
• Monitor the implementation of the Project and make report to the UNDP Energy an

This position will support government efforts, through the NDMA to effectively monitor and coordinate the large range of actors involved in DRR activities across the country. It is expected a better monitoring of DRR initiatives in the country and a harmonized implementation of the national DRR policy and strategy. As a result, DRR activities in the country will be better targeted; they will reach a larger part of the population and; they will be more effective, and UNDP’s role will be well acknowledged

Corporate Competencies:

• Integrity and fairness - embodies UN values and promotes the well-being of all individuals regardless of gender, religion, race, nationality, or age;
• Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability – communicates effectively with and relates to people of different cultures, demonstrating an ability to see issues from other perspectives;
• Strong corporate commitment - works to achieve the goals of UNDP as a whole making significant contributions to corporate priorities or initiatives led by other UNDP;
• Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treat all people fairly without favoritism;

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge of the international disaster reduction system at field and headquarters levels;
• Knowledge of Liberia and its specific disaster risk patterns, its impacts, and disaster management issues;
• Knowledge of risk assessment theory and practice;
• Ability in disaster risk assessment and in application to risk management decision-making;
• Strong team player;
• Capacity development skills;
• Good capacity to coordinate a wide range of expert views and provide coherent policy advice;

Management and Behavioral:

• Focus on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Focus on building capacities of national team, including through patient mentoring of inexperienced colleagues, careful to avoid being perceived as patronizing;
• Capable to respond flexibly and positively to change through active involvement and generation of innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
• Function at high level in teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;

Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills

Education: 

• Masters degree in conflict studies, social sciences, economics, geography, disaster management, climate change or environment and/or a related field.

Experience: 

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in Disaster Risk Reduction, Poverty Reduction, or Environment Management programme, in programme management including planning, monitoring and evaluation, as well as coordination experience;
• Previous experience of working on NGO coordination, network development; or with community based organization
• Field experience; experience in developing/application of information tools at different levels;
• Knowledge of and experience of working in Liberia;
• Knowledge of the disaster response champions at national and sub-national levels is an asset;
• Prior experience of working in a developing country – experience of Liberia would be an asset;
• Previous experience of working with UN agencies or international organizations on disaster management issues (preferably with UNDP) is an asset;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and work well with diverse people: race, nationality, age and gender sensitivity;

Lanague Requirement: 

• Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC 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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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