Job Description
Job Title: Regional Technical Advisor for Emergency and Security
Requisition Number: I278
Area of Interest: Emergency
Position Type: Full Time
Location: DRC/Kinshasa
Job Description:
Job Background/Summary:
The Central Africa region has undergone significant changes in recent years including a democratic transition in Nigeria, the overthrow of Mobutu’s’ 32-year dictatorship, the outbreak of a continental war in the DRC and its first democratic election, persistent border conflict in the east of DRC, a fragile peace accord in Burundi, four periods of civil war/conflict in the Republic of Congo, four military mutinies in the Central African Republic, volatile situation in Chad resulting from the Darfur, Sudan humanitarian crisis and Chad’s internal divisions, and the discovery of oil in two of the world’s poorest countries: Chad and Equatorial Guinea. All of these events have created unprecedented opportunities for reform and development, as well as risks of increased conflict. CRS has full country programs/office in seven countries in the region: DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Central African Republic under Cameroon’s oversight. The outreach program in the Republic of Congo is managed by DRC.
Given the various emergency and post-emergency situations, as well as potential emergencies in the region, the Central Africa Regional Office (CARO) places emphasis on working with partners to improve community resiliency through emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction and protection of rights and dignity of vulnerable populations during emergency situations. In addition, WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) has become a key focus of emergency preparedness and response programming in the region. The Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) for Emergency and Security will be a key figure in shaping CARO’s response prior to, during and after emergencies.
The RTA for Emergency and Security is primarily responsible for:
· providing expert management and technical assistance to CRS Country Programs (CPs), staff and partners in the design and implementation of emergency preparedness and response (EPR) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities;
· strengthening capacities of CRS staff and partners in EPR/DRR through accompaniment, coaching and training activities;
· serving as a regionally-based resource person for CP and Regional staff on issues related to WASH and emergencies;
· security management and telecommunications;
· supporting and assisting CPs to respond to emergencies and ensuring that these activities are initiated and executed in a timely and in accordance with SPHERE standards;
· ensuring that the regional strategic objective for emergency, as articulated in the CARO regional strategy, is implemented and guides the Regional/CP activities.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR)/Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR):
a. Support the design and implementation of EPR and DRR activities (risk assessments, early warning systems, contingency planning, partner capacity building, etc) at CP level, particularly focusing on CPs with recurring/chronic emergencies.
b. Provide technical assistance to support CPs responding to emergencies. Ensure CPs’ timely response to quick-onset emergencies is in line with industry best practices (e.g. SPHERE) and CRS management quality/program quality standards.
c. Develop and maintain knowledge/learning management systems for EPR and DRR. A knowledge/learning management database is to be regularly updated on the CARO Sharepoint to promote regional learning and innovation.
d. Assist in the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems for emergency programs, in coordination with DRD/PQ and Regional Technical Advisor for Monitoring and Evaluation.
e. Maintain an up-to-date database on potential Temporary Duty staff members (TDYers) and coordinate staff TDYs during emergencies in the region. Coordinate the deployment of Emergency Response Team (ERT) members and/or other TDYers to CARO CPs and outreach countries, per identified staffing needs.
f. Enhance the capacity of CARO CPs staff and partners to prepare for and effectively manage emergency response activities by providing formal training, on-the-job training and mentoring, and sharing of emergency tools, guidelines and manuals. Share information about pertinent internal and external workshops with CPs and partners.
g. Liaise regularly with the ERT staff in Nairobi, and Emergency Operations (E-Ops) staff in HQ; attend annual Emergency Community Meetings and share CARO issues and achievements.
h. Ensure Regional Director, Deputy Regional Directors and Country Representatives are aware of potential hazards (conflicts, natural disasters, etc) and support Region/CPs to develop appropriate responses.
2. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH):
a. Advise and assist CPs in developing and implementing high quality WASH project programs that are gender-responsive and reflect industry best practices. Particular focus will be on WASH components of emergency response interventions.
b. Develop and maintain knowledge/learning management systems for WASH. Share appropriate WASH programming and M&E tools with CPs to promote innovation and learning.
c. Liaise with WASH technical advisors in HQ and other Regions to ensure adequate support to CPs implementing WASH in emergencies programming.
3. Security Management:
a. Promote compliance with CRS’ Security & Staff Safety guidelines.
b. Assist country programs in the regular review and updating of Field Security Plans, Evacuation Plans, Contingency Plans and make recommendations to enhance security management practices in CPs.
c. Enhance capacity of country program staff on security management and security planning through coaching and trainings.
d. Conduct annual incident report analysis for the region.
e. Liaise with ERT RTA for security & telecommunication and with relevant HQ staff on security management and planning issues relevant for the country programs.
4. Telecommunication Management:
a. Keep apprised of latest developments in the sector and share information with CPs.
b. Assist CPs in assessing their emergency telecommunication needs and selecting appropriate solutions, in coordination with the regional IT staff.
c. Provide training to CPs on emergency telecommunications management (VHF/UHF, HF and satellite systems).
d. Maintain the regional inventory of emergency telecommunication equipment.
e. Liaise with ERT TA for security& telecommunication on agency-wide issues and solutions.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
· Serves with Integrity
· Models Stewardship
· Cultivates Constructive Relationships
· Promotes Learning
Emergency Competencies:
Each CRS staff member working in complex emergencies environment is expected to use the following competencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
· Communicates strategically under pressure
· Manages stress and complexities
· Actively promotes safety and security
· Implements high-quality emergency programs
Key Working relationships:
Internal: RD, DRD/PQ, DRD/MQ, Country Representatives, Emergency Coordinators and Emergency PMs in CPs, ERT and E-Ops (Nairobi & Baltimore), EFPs.
External: Local partners, local Church, Caritas international and local networks, Sphere Secretariat, USG agencies, UN agencies, EU agencies, and host government agencies and other donor agencies.
Qualifications:
1. Graduate degree in international relations, international development or related fields or equivalent experience;
2. Minimum 5 years emergency response experience, preferably in Africa;
3. Demonstrated knowledge on CRS emergency programming standards (Emergency Preparedness & Response handbook, Program Quality statement for emergencies), and principles of crosscutting themes (peace building, capacity building, gender);
4. Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in core sectors of humanitarian relief, including Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response, UN guidelines, etc.;
5. In-depth knowledge of staff safety and security issues;
6. Technical expertise in VHF/UHF & HF radios and satellite communications systems;
7. Superior partnership and teamwork skills in cross-cultural environments;
8. Skilled in influencing and obtaining cooperation of individuals not under supervisory control;
9. Good judgment and sound decision making skills;
10. Self-motivated and able to work without close supervision;
11. Strong knowledge of donor regulations and policies;
12. Knowledge of CRS operations, policies and procedures;
13. Excellent organizational and planning skills;
14. Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training
15. Willingness to travel extensively (at least 50%)
16. Fluent spoken and written English and French.
This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with the position.
