ICT / ETC Coordinator (International Consultant), Suva, Fiji

TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Consultant (CST) - Re-Advertisement, candidates who have already applied for this post do not need to re-apply.

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Suva, Fiji

DURATION: 6 months, with a possible extension to 11 months, subject to performance and funding availability

START DATE:  As soon as possible

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) 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. The Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBB) provides strategic guidance, technical support and direction to WFP country operations in the region.

In the Pacific region, natural disasters are becoming more frequent, larger in scale, complex and increasingly difficult to manage. Most recently, the high-impact of Cyclone WINSTON in Fiji stressed the enormity of gaps and highlighted the increasing dependence on availability of emergency ICT systems and solutions that facilitate communication and coordination of humanitarian efforts, and help building preparedness and resilience to disasters. WFP established in Q4 2015, the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) capacity building project, in coordination with international humanitarian organizations, host governments and the National Disaster Management Organization (NDMO).

This position is established to coordinate the ICT sector of the Pacific programmes and be the ETCluster focal point. The incumbent will be based in Suva, Fiji, and work under the supervision of the Fiji Office Country Director/Officer in Charge and the functional supervision of the Regional IT Officer (RITO) who is based in the Regional Bureau Bangkok (RBB).

The ICT / ETC Coordinator for the WFP Pacific Office will responsible for the following duties:

1. Coordinate ICT and Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) activities and serve as the main contact point for the ICT functional area in the Pacific;
2. Develop the Pacific ICT and ETC strategy and work-plan in coordination with the RITO and synchronize to WFP’s Logistics and Food Security Cluster plans for the Pacific;
3. Work with Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to develop their strategies and plans relating to emergency telecommunication systems and related processes;
4. Engage directly with national and international agencies and partners with a focus on National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs), Ministries of IT and Communications, and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in emergency telecommunications planning and preparedness activities, including support to NDMOs and line ministries at the country-level to establish and/or strengthen their national emergency telecommunications cluster/working group/committees.
5. Conduct assessments of ICT infrastructure in PICs and evaluate gaps and support requirements in the context of Emergency Preparedness and Response in coordination with local agencies and the Global ETC (will require travel). Provide recommendations where appropriate;
6. Liaise with the Global ETC at WFP headquarters (HQ) and ensure that relevant content for the Pacific is shared on the ETC website etcluster.org;
7. Establish funding requirements for Pacific ETC projects and work closely with RBB ICT, Finance, and the EPR Units to prepare the ETC budget for the Pacific. Track ETC expenditure against forecast;
8. Develop a national ICT capacity building programme in coordination with the Global ETC and FITTEST centered on training and simulation, including:
   • Customize ICT EPR training based on WFP standards with a view to implementing a blended training model (as appropriate) incorporating on-site classes, computer-based, and virtual classroom training (ie. trainer delivering from a remote location);
   • Simulation exercise support capacity provided in partnership with local agencies and SPC
9. Work with RBB to identify personnel requirements for the Pacific ETC, prepare relevant job descriptions and assist with recruitment and supervision of staff as needed. Liaise with the Standby Partner (SBP) team in WFP HQ on the management of SBPs working with the Pacific ETC;
10. Establish links with private sector organizations with objective of strengthening emergency telecommunications preparedness and response capacity in the region.

• ICT and ETC coordination carried out successfully within the time and resources assigned
• Assessments and reviews carried out and reported on, on time and on target
• Training programmes and simulations correctly designed, organized and implemented
• Capacity building projects executed and reported within the time and resources assigned

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Information Technology, International Relations, Disaster Management or related field. First level university degree (Bachelor's degree) with relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

ITEMT and OpEx bravo certified is preferable.

Experience:

• At least 5 years progressive professional experience in IT and telecommunications with exposure to humanitarian action and emergency preparedness and response;
  • Involvement in minimum 3 emergency operations during the last 5 years of experience with escalating level of responsibilities.
• Familiarity with the Pacific Island context;
• Knowledge of the Cluster Approach as well as broader UN humanitarian principles pertaining to emergency response is highly desirable;
• Knowledge of WFP / IT / ETC policies and practices;
• Knowledge of technological developments and trends in emergency preparedness and response.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of IT and Telecoms;
• Experience in Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR);
• Familiarity with humanitarian action;
• Good interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing;
• Strong networking skills;
• Ability to work with minimum supervision under own initiative;
• Tact and ability to work harmoniously with people of different cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to plan and organize own work programme and meet deadlines;
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.