Disaster Risk Management Officer

The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a long-standing presence in Yemen as a country Delegation since 2003 and has provided/providing institutional and operational support to Yemen Red Cresent society (YRCS) and coordination with Movement partners present in-country or with interest in supporting the National Society. IFRC has to-date focused on its central role in facilitating and coordinating efforts geared towards national society development (NSD), with a view of pooling capacities and resources in which other partners have a comparative advantage. Collaboration and coordination with the Movement partners are regularly sought to maximise impact and create synergies in our actions in-country. 

On coordination with the wider humanitarian sector, the IFRC supports and facilitates YRCS’s participation in the regular cluster meetings, and dialogue with local humanitarian coordination bodies and humanitarian actors. IFRC regularly attends Health, WASH cluster meetings and the Humanitarian country team (HCT) meetings to advocate on behalf of YRCS and to share with YRCS any pertinent information when available, whilst encouraging YRCS to share data and response reports regularly with the wider humanitarian community. 

Beyond the IFRC’s efforts in NSD, both at technical (Disaster Management/DRR, health, WASH) and institutional (volunteer management, branch development) levels, IFRC provides critical support to YRCS emergency response and preparedness efforts including natural and manmade disasters as well as epidemics and pandemics. 

The Disaster Risk Management Officer works closely with other members within the Country Delegation as well as with other teams within the units in particular, those related to the Disaster Risk Management approach to support YRCS (Cash Preparedness, Surge capacity, Forecast Based Financing/Action, DREF, branch capacity Strengthening) and beyond (Health & Care; Logistics, Procurement & Supply Chain; Movement Coordination; Security; support services) as need it. 

Under the supervision of the Disaster Management/WASH Coordinator, 

• The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Officer will contribute and support the application of Disaster Risk Management related policies, strategies, and other technical measures to support Yemen Red crescent society (YRCS) to prevent new disaster risks, reduce existing disaster risks, anticipate and manage residual risks (through disaster preparedness, response, and recovery), contributing to the strengthening of resilience and reduction of disaster losses. 

• S/he will work on enhancing the Disaster Management capacity of national society (YRCS) at HQ and Branch level to anticipate, prepare for and respond to disasters and crisis in an effective and efficient manner and to support communities in building safety and resilience. 

• Support YRCS in designing, planning and quality implementation of emergency response operation activities. 

• Provide technical support to identified preparedness and readiness action as per needs, enhancing specific response mechanism components YRCs (i.e., multi-hazard contingency planning, Emergency Operations Centers, Anticipatory Action  National Response Teams, and Business Continuity Planning among others)

The position holder will work as a member of IFRC Yemen country delegation team and work closely with YRCS DM team and IFRC DM/WASH Coordinator and will 

Disaster and Crisis Preparedness:

Support the DRM files of  Yemen delegation  responsible for providing advice, support, and training to NS and IFRC staff

• Ensure a holistic and integrated approach to disaster management in line with the Federation's frameworks, strategies and approaches for community safety and resilience, including climate change adaptation/mitigation, and food security/livelihoods 
• Assist YRCS to update/revise its Disaster Management policy/strategy in line with Federation-wide and regional policies and strategies
• Ensure Federation support to YRCS that the community-based disaster preparedness is carried out in the selected branches based on risk profile, branches capacity, commitment, and interest
• Ensure processes and training for YRCS team to develop and maintain proper mechanisms, tools, guidelines, case studies systems and structures for managing emergencies 
• Support the strengthening of YRCS’s capacity to establish/activate their own national, branch and community level disaster response teams and triggering mechanisms  
• Assist YRCS to enhance its capacity for maintaining its contingency relief /response stock along with enhancing warehousing capacity in the four hubs 
• Support YRCS to establish Community Early Warning Systems (EWS), to complement National, Regional and Global EWS, as a last mile solution for saving lives and properties 
• Contribute to the design and use of learning and capacity development material in disaster management around Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change ,and Disaster Risk Management. 
• Support YRCS in conducting VCA/EVCA activities 
• Support YRCS in preparing disaster preparedness and response plans at branch and community level based on risk profile and organizing simulation and drill exercises to test the disaster preparedness and response plans  
• Support YRCS in developing/updating  their Preparedness for effective response plan of  action which could  included the following action the emergency response manual, guidelines and SOPs of the emergency response team and strengthening the emergency response operation rooms (EOC) located in HQs and branches  
• Assist YRCS in updating YRCS contingency plan ensuring that all possible scenarios both disaster and conflict are included and make sure that participation of Movement partners and other stakeholders are ensured in each phase of contingency plan development process 
• Support YRCS in developing and supporting the Implementation of the Anticipatory Action Plan and  Early action protocols (EAPs) 
• Support YRCS DM team to organize capacity building events such as training sessions for volunteers and staff including Branch disaster response team (BDRT) training and workshops and assist them to maintain an active inventory of all related information.

Disaster and Crisis Response:

In close collaboration with and support from line management 

• Ensure the YRCS DM team is well structured, its activation, guidance and support to necessary disaster response is available to YRCS during emergency operations. 
• In case of disasters/emergencies assist YRCS to access IFRC emergency response tool/funds such as DREF 
• Ensure that YRCS response is appropriate and aligned with the SPHERE standards and other Federation and Movement polices and strategies 
• Under the overall guidance of DM/WASH Coordinator encourage Partner National Societies, provide support to YRCS according to co-ordinated response plans, and within the framework of the National Society Strategic plan/ contingency plan  
• Support the YRCS DM team for deployment of country level response tools in an efficient and timely manner
• Assist YRCS DM team for developing/updating emergency response tools and mechanisms and support them to maintain rosters of DM/DRR personnel, including NDRT/BDRT etc. in the country as part of the disaster response information system.
• Assist YRCS DM team to maintain, a “24/7” disaster monitoring capability, covering both rapid- and slow-onset disasters. 
• Support YRCS, in consultation with DM/WASH Coordinator, to post DMIS and prepare information bulletin as and when needed 
• Assist the YRCS DM team for response interventions with focus on assessment, deployment of response teams and management of relief activities

Recovery: 

In close collaboration with and support from line management 

• Lead country efforts to strengthen YRCS capacity in recovery programming, with a focus on developing appropriate post disaster recovery plans and frameworks, operation strategic planning and managing the smooth transition from relief to recovery to longer term developmental programming.
• Encourage the greater use of cash and voucher transfer programming in disaster relief and recovery programming.
• Ensure that Federation-led disaster recovery operations are based upon holistic assessment of needs and integrated approaches to programming.
• Support the implementation the integration of the Environmental sustainability aspect whenever is possible in programs and operations 

Coordination and partnership: 

In close collaboration with and support from line management 

• Participate in cluster meetings especially shelter/NFIs, CCCM and early recovery and encourage YRCS DM team to participate regularly in cluster mechanisms at national and hub level 
• Represent the Federation country office in national level fora and maintain networks and partnerships with national level key players in preparedness, response, and disaster risk reduction
• Support YRCS to share experiences and to link with other actors (UN, NGOs) in the field of Disaster Management plans in their respective organizations.
• Ensure an on-going working relationship and close cooperation with technical team of IFRC country office as well as RC/RC Movement partners and other YRCS departments.
• Support YRCS in organizing regular DCM technical working group meetings at HQ level including preparation of agenda, meeting minutes etc. 

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (CONTINUED) 

Monitoring, Reporting, Lessons learnt and knowledge sharing:

In close collaboration with and support from line management 

• Utilise appropriate information management tools such as FedNet, IFRC Go platform in disseminating Disaster Management related information.
• Support to IFRC country team as well as YRCS DM team to apply appropriate monitoring and evaluation criteria to measure the progress against the set targets and indicators 
• Monitor the development and implementation of country-level DM/DRR activities, including training, technical tools, guidelines, and other relevant initiatives.
• Coordinate with YRCS and ensure that the updates for emergency relief activities are timely submitted on activity info on monthly basis 
• Ensure that lessons learnt and good practices from disaster management/response are compiled and used to improve future planning, programming, and implementation, and shared with relevant departments. 
• Ensure that up to date tools and guidelines are applied to improve the quality of services provided in the areas of disaster preparedness and response.
•  Follow up, compile, and process reports related to DM projects, DREFs, half yearly and annual reports and to ensure timely submission of those to the line manager

Programme Design and others: 

In close collaboration with and support from line management

• Participate in Designing and planning of DM/DRR projects including developing yearly operational plan, Log-frames, and budgets
• Support YRCS to improve national fund-raising possibilities and technical partnerships with relevant agencies in preparedness and response for emergencies and disaster risk reduction. 
• Support YRCS in reviewing and updating YRCS DM strategy in line with YRCS strategic plan 2022-2026
• Act as a focal person for IFRC overall DM related activities/Program in Yemen country Delegation in absence of DM/WASH Coordinator
• Contribute to the development of project proposals on DRM themes Yemen country delegation

EDUCATION

• University degree in relevant field - Required 
• Technical training in disaster preparedness; disaster Risk management or relevant areas of expertise - Required 

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 years of experience in disaster management/disaster risk reduction, emergency operations or community development or resilience building programs - Required 
• 3+ -year experience of working for a humanitarian aid organisation in fragile and complex settings - Required 
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting, and reporting, monitoring and evaluation - Required
• Experience in strategy development, developing tools and guidance, providing technical assistance and in establishing and maintaining networks - Required
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience of working for Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement - Preferred 
• Experience in conducting Trainings, Capacity building activities - Required 
• Knowledge of IFRC procedures and guidelines related to Disaster Management - Preferred 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and independent decision-making capacity - Required
• Results oriented and demand driven individual, entrepreneurial, ability to lead in unprecedented and/or ambiguous situations - Required
• Excellent communication (Verbal & written) and inter-personal skills with the ability to represent the International Federation and to negotiate and influence people’s opinions - Required
• Knowledge of technical aspects of disaster preparedness, relief, and recovery and of key donor and partner organisations - Required
• Knowledge of minimum standards for disaster relief and performance and accountability frameworks - Required
• Ability to lead a complex or major disaster operation if required - Required
• Flexible and adaptable to work effectively in a multicultural environment and ability to travel at short notice - Required
• Computer knowledge as a user – self-supporting in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint - Required

LANGUAGES

• Fluently spoken and written English - Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (Arabic) - Required

Values

• Respect for diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Accountability

Competencies 

• Communication
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Judgement and decision making
• National society and customer relations
• Creativity and innovation
• Building trust

High degree of integrity and accountability.

Ability to adapt various concepts and tools to the environment and needs of the National Society.