Programme Officer, Emergency Response Preparedness, SC-9

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Bangladesh Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2017-2020 approved by the WFP Executive Board in its first session of 2017 became effective on 1 April 2017.  It aims to contribute to five Strategic Outcomes that are aligned to four Strategic Results of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for Development). A total of 13 Activities is planned to be implemented to achieve the contributions to the five Strategic Outcomes.

Under the Integrated Road Map (IRM) WFP has committed to a new way of working, linking not only all activities to the defined Strategic Outcomes, but also linking the resources used for implementing the activities to the results achieved.

The five strategic outcomes are:

• SO1: Vulnerable groups in rural and urban settings are supported by enhanced national actions to improve their nutrition indicators in line with national targets by 2020;
• SO 2: The most vulnerable population of Cox’s Bazar, the Chittagong Hill Tracts and disaster-stricken areas have enhanced food security and nutrition;
• SO 3: Innovative approaches to enhance the resilience of food insecure households exposed to climate-related shocks and stresses are validated by 2020; and
• SO 4: The humanitarian response system for large-scale natural disasters in Bangladesh can respond with reduced cost and lead time.
• SO 5: Humanitarian and development partners in Bangladesh have access to reliable services in the areas of supply chain and emergency telecommunications during crises.

JOB PURPOSE

To strengthen emergency response preparedness of WFP Bangladesh and Government of Bangladesh for large-scale disaster.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Country Director for Support Services and the direct supervision of the Head of Supply Chain and Emergency Response Preparedness and in coordination with the other staff involved, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

• Support implementation of the emergency preparedness project, including the construction of the Humanitarian Staging Area (HSA), information management and training as per the established work plan.  

• Support Country Office and Sub Offices in the roll out and strengthening of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Package (EPRP); continually guide and ensure appropriate preparedness as per updated checklists (MPAs, ERAs) and Risk Register.

• Contribute to resource mobilization for EPRP project, including clearly articulating strategic and project-level requirements, goals and outcomes, project design and implementation, and the preparation of high quality project documentation, budgeting and donor proposals;

• Lead capacity development of staff to effectively implement Emergency Response Preparedness activities, as well as the EPRP tool, by conducting frequent trainings and regularly disseminating relevant information.

• Develop effective cross-functional liaison with a broad range of internal and external contacts regarding WFP Bangladesh’s Emergency Response Preparedness portfolio.

• Plan and manage initiatives for capacity strengthening support to government and other stakeholders for emergency preparedness. Lead in planning and organizing Cyclone/Flood/Earthquake simulation/preparedness workshops and meetings including Training of Trainers (ToT) for government, NGOs and UN agencies to enhance national and local-level capacities and preparedness for efficient emergency response operations.

• Conduct research, reviews and analyses relating to Emergency Response Preparedness activities in Bangladesh.

• Provide technical support to WFP’s ‘Stand-by NGOs for Emergencies’ and Government on development and application of various tools and techniques for disaster management, including surveys and assessments.

• Provide technical support with a view to building preparedness to connect to cash based transfers (CBT) in emergencies, markets, manage food systems, deliver emergency food assistance and meet WFP’s common service provision and cluster obligations during large scale sudden-onset emergencies.

• Contribute to the preparation of briefs, presentations, reports on the Emergency Response Preparedness activities of WFP in Bangladesh.

• Routine monitoring of disaster risks and developing humanitarian scenarios.

• Work closely with the Government, UN agencies, NGOs and humanitarian architecture in Bangladesh and facilitate establishment of ‘Emergency Response Preparedness’ thematic platform/group.

• Develop operational data collection and information management architecture necessary for producing rapid analysis required for decision-making by government authorities in the first hours and days of an emergency.

• Provide support for strengthening the efficiency and effectiveness of Logistics Cluster (LC) and maintain interaction with Food Security Cluster (FSC) activities.

• Perform other related duties as assigned

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in Economics, Disaster Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Agriculture, Environmental Science and Social Science or other related field with additional years of related work experience and training.

Experience: At least 10 years of postgraduate professional experience including 5 years in a managerial position in humanitarian organizations or government institutions with proven experience in emergency preparedness and response and in multifaceted field coordination.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

Thorough knowledge of government systems, especially emergency preparedness and response systems through the Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and Department of Disaster Management.

Strong skills in the use of computer applications and hands-on experience in the development and management of database.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

The position will be important for strengthening WFP Bangladesh emergency response preparedness for large scale disaster and support Bangladesh Government for achieving Strategic Outcome 4 of the CSP, i.e. the humanitarian response system for large-scale natural disasters in Bangladesh can respond with reduced cost and lead time and lead the logistic and food security cluster.

Critical Success Factors:

• Good analytical skills;
• Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, understanding of the current development issues and interventions, tact, negotiating skills;
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to cope with situations, which may threaten health or safety;
• Flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description.
• Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contract Type: Service Contract
Contract Duration: 1 year, renewable
Duty Station: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Nationality: Bangladeshi only
Monthly Net Salary: BDT 273,903.00 net.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Only candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit an online application by 28 March 2018.

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Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.