Emergency Response Specialist

Details

Mission and objectives

Update

Context

This UNV assignment is part of the Emergency Response Section (ERS) hosted by OCHA. ERS provides a suite of integrated operational readiness and response services to prepare for and respond to sudden-onset disasters and rapid deteriorations in existing emergencies. ERS works towards capacity building efforts with national emergency management agencies and regional organizations. Every effort is made to support localization of crisis management capabilities. The team works to ensure that operational readiness and response tools and services are optimally integrated. This project particularly aims to support the development of United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination System as well as the International Search and Rescue Advisory Board presence in the Latin America and Caribbean Region which deploy emergency response teams following a sudden-onset disaster. The UNV is expected to support the ERS Regional Focal Point in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean prior, during and after emergencies in the region.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Emergency Response Section Regional Focal Point for the Americas Region or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the National Specialist UN Volunteer will: • Support the Emergency Response Section (ERS), and in particular United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) and the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Regional Focal Point in Latin America and the Caribbean in the organization of regional meetings and training sessions. • Monitor, analyze and report on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in the Americas Region, in close coordination with the OCHA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC). • Assist the Regional Office following consultations with the ERS Regional Focal Point (RFP) on policy or policy-related issues as requested, including environmental emergency management, information platforms, and other activities. • Support the Regional Focal Point prior, during and after emergency response operations in the region. • Support the planning, preparations, delivery and follow-up of After-Action Reviews, which are conducted following emergency deployments and which are designed to improve the efficiency of relief teams' deployment. • Support the development of remote and in-person conferences and training modules planned for 2022, taking into consideration potential COVID-19-related implications. • Support the development of partnerships with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate emergency assistance programmes and help ensure that the latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, gender-related considerations, etc. are incorporated into these activities. • Help build and maintain regional operational partnerships, especially with respect to UNDAC and INSARAG, and in close coordination with ROLAC, to bolster OCHA's emergency coordination activities. • Prepare or contribute to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. draft sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence. • Support the establishment of clear information channels and that program delivery is designed to ensure outlined goals can be reached. • Assist in the management of relevant emergency response web coordination systems (Virtual On-Site Operations Coordination Center, ReliefWeb, designated MS Teams channels, etc.) which are essential for the coordination of different disaster management agencies in an emergency response. • Help to organize and participate in working groups, meetings, conferences and consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters. • Analyze and investigate the way information is presented and shared through the different existing systems with the aim of grouping and consolidating the data for its visualization, using Power BI. • Declassify information which is to be shared with the public while paying particular attention to confidential data and sources. • Track email communications. • Perform any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. 13. Results/expected outputs: • As an active ERS team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to the Regional Focal Point for the Americas Region and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: · The effective delivery of a wide range of administrative and office support functions as per UN administrative rules, regulations and guidelines. · Ensuring that swift and efficient support is provided to the ERS Regional Focal Point in the mobilization of emergency response teams in a sudden-onset emergency in the Latin American and Caribbean Region. · Mapping and following-up on key findings and lessons learned from emergency mission After Action reviews. · Completing the preparation and delivery of concept notes, course training plans, session plans and all materials relevant to the virtual exercise tool. · Providing a comprehensive analysis of the data extracted from ERS units’ repositories (and particularly INSARAG and UNDAC) relevant to the region. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.