Emergency Officer, NOB, Bridgetown, Barbados, Post #122476 (Open to Nationals of Barbados)

Bridgetown

Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
Location: Bridgetown
Grade: Junior level - NO-B, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Medical Practitioners
- Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
- Emergency Aid and Response
Closing Date: Closed

Under the supervision of and in regular consultation with the Representative and Senior Management, implement country office emergency preparedness and response. Responsible for the technical contribution to the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency interventions to advance the survival and well-being of children and mothers and affected communities in an emergency situation.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the job:

Key End-Results:

1. Timely and thorough analysis is made to identify emergency-prone situations and contribute to early warning and enhancing emergency preparedness.

2. Emergency preparedness and response plans addresses gender issues that may be expected to intensify during emergencies.

3. Substantive professional contributions are made to the formulation of emergency plans of action, contingency plans, and monitoring of compliance with plans of action.

4. Effective analysis of available data regarding the evolving emergency situation and its implications to the operation are timely provided. Supports constant flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergencies responses.

5. Staff training in emergencies preparedness and response is effectively supported to enhance the emergency preparedness and response capability of the office.

6. In the event of an emergency, prompt support is provided to execute the initial operational tasks by collecting accurate information on the nature and scope of the emergency, ensuring effective telecommunications facility and staff security assistance, and promptly reporting the status as required.

7. Professional support is provided to establish facts and needs, coordinate a rapid assessment, and determine priorities and an appropriate intervention by UNICEF.

8. Timely delivery of assistance and supplies is maintained, urgent staffing requirements are identified, and the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources is monitored for effective project delivery.

9. Substantive input and assistance are provided in the implementation of emergency plans of action, workplans, emergency appeals, and in the mobilization of donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding.

10. Lessons learnt from UNICEF's emergency operations experience are collected and analysed for adoption of the best practices and standards for longer-term emergency interventions. Longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions are effectively identified.

11. Ensures that disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the country office's workplans. Sectoral input is provided for all related documents of the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response, as well as for the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks:

Emergency Preparedness

Provides professional assistance in risk analysis to identify emergency-prone conditions/situations and contribute to early warning and timely emergency preparedness.
Assists in the formulation of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies. Gathers information on best practices in emergency situations for the preparation of contingency plans. Monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action.
Identifies formal and informal sources of information. Collects, interprets and analyses all available data on the evolving emergency situation and its implications to the emergency operation. Keeps the effective flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency measures. Identifies availability of resources in emergency prone areas.
Assists in organizing and conducting staff training for the office’s capacity building in emergencies preparedness and response. Provides briefing, as required. Participates in other emergency training workshops in the region, and contributes to enhancement of the emergency preparedness and response capability of the office staff.

Emergency Response

In the event of an emergency, promptly assists in implementing the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance. Immediately collects reliable information to verify the nature and extend of the emergency with staff, government officials, other UN agencies or local organizations and media. Follows up to ensure that the office is provided with effective telecommunications facility and staff security assistance in an emergency, as necessary. Contacts with all UNICEF staff and their dependants and visitors to ensure their safety and whereabouts, and promptly informs head of office, supervisor and other emergency staff of their status as required.
Assists supervisor with assessment of local emergency and security situation. Visits the location to conduct an initial rough assessment of the magnitude of the crisis and its implications for children, mothers and the community. Assists with the assessment of the validity of the emergency preparedness plan and ability of the office vis-à-vis the current crisis as well as immediate and additional needs. Provides input in and contributes toward determining priorities and an appropriate intervention by UNICEF. Coordinates with other partners to make a rapid assessment covering priority areas as defined by the Core Commitment for Children in Emergencies. Establishes contact with community groups, government, UN agencies, media and other partners to keep the country office of emergency situations.
Participates in Implementing the emergency preparedness and response plan as necessary. Assists in identifying urgent staffing requirements and redeploying country office staff. Follows up with the timely delivery of assistance and procurement of supplies, and monitors the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources. Identifies problems and constraints in project delivery. Sends daily situation reports to concerned parties.

Emergency Project

Participates in the implementation of plans of action and workplans for emergency project. Undertakes field visits to emergency project areas, to assess local conditions and monitor project progress. Carries out project administration. Prepares inputs for appeals and updates related to emergencies. Coordinates with program sections staff and others to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding, including humanitarian appeals and documents (e.g., pitch documents). Communicates and advocates on the situation and needs of children through local and international media, as appropriate.
Collects and analyses lessons learnt from UNICEF's emergency operations experience and contributes towards adoption of the best practices and standards for longer-term emergency interventions. Assists in identifying longer-term requirements of the emergency intervention/operations.
Works with other colleagues to make sure that disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the country office's workplans. Assists in the preparation of sectoral input for the country programme documents, plan of action, annual work plans, and other related documents of the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response. Provides technical input in the preparation of the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme document, as required.

Job Grade Factors

The scope of the job duties ranges from methodical data collection, analysis, and reporting, to effective monitoring and analysis of project implementation and management, with limited independent technical decisions on project implementation and evaluation which will impact on project efficiency and delivery. The nature of the job is mostly contributory technical work requiring substantive technical analysis and core knowledge of the specialized functional area. The work makes substantial contribution to the achievement of planned objectives of the project teams and the Section at the solid professional quality level. The supervisor guides and oversees the work process, progress and end-results delivery.
The work also includes the review of appropriateness and completeness of financial and supply documentation as well as adherence to established allotments.
Technical expertise is required to analyse data and background information in support of emergency situation analysis, risk analysis and updates.
The job requires professional judgement to interpret and apply guidelines correctly. If necessary, recommends deviations from guidelines to programme/project officers, as appropriate.

Technical Knowledge:

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job)

UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international emergency issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
Knowledge of global humanitarian issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches.
Knowledge of the principle of gender parity and equality.

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group

The UNICEF mission statement; UNICEF Board policy papers and decisions.
The Core Commitments for Children in Emergencies.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child; Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women.
EMOPS Technical Notes, EMOPS Emergency Field Book.
UNICEF Program Manuals, policy guidelines, ExDirs, PROs; Country Programme documentation.
UNICEF personnel, financial, supply and administrative rules, regulations and manuals.
National development plans and policies; Guidelines and manuals from NGO/donor partners
Annual work plan.
UNDAF; The UN Humanitarian Reform; IASC documents, guidelines and materials on UN Humanitarian Reform and the cluster approach.
Information & Communications Technology literacy, including skills and knowledge of office system applications, LAN, internet navigation, telecommunications, and data analysis.
Gender equality and diversity awareness

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)

Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes.
UN security operations and guidelines.
UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian/emergency issues and response.
UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions in international developing cooperation.
Knowledge of the latest developments and trends in emergency preparedness and response management related fields.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines.
Two years of relevant professional work experience at the national and/or international levels in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation or administration.
Developing country work experience (for IP) or field work experience (for NO).
Training/experience in emergency response management highly desirable.
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
Works Collaboratively with others (1)
Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

This vacancy is now closed.
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