Programme officer, L-3

Extension of deadline from 22 Feb. to 7 Mar. 2008

Background

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human and economic and social losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations. In adopting ISDR, the United Nations General Assembly (Res/54/219) endorsed the establishment of an institutional framework for its implementation consisting of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction (IATF/DR) and the inter-agency secretariat (ISDR secretariat).

The main functions of the secretariat are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR, 18-22 January 2005, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) took place and represents a landmark in worldwide understanding and commitment to implement a disaster risk reduction agenda. This commitment was captured in the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters adopted at the WCDR.

The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction in the coming years and it constitutes an unprecedented conceptual shift that takes account of the complexity of action in disaster risk reduction and the large variety of actors whose inputs are required in the pursuit of this objective. It provides the basic concepts and prescribes and expected outcome; details three strategic goals for disaster risk reduction and a set of five priority areas for action; and assigns tasks to stakeholders at difference operational levels to reach the expected outcome.

Organizational setting and reporting relationships

The position is located in the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), in Nairobi, Kenya under the overall guidance of the Director and reporting to the Coordinator for the UN/ISDR Regional Office in Africa.

Duties and responsibilities

• Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; monitor and analyze programme/project development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identify and track follow-up actions. Assist in the elaboration of a regional framework for collaboration disaster risk reduction.
• Provide guidance to governments on development of national platforms and action plans in line with the Hyogo Framework for Action and considering existing national development programmes, UNDAF and other related strategies including assisting UN country teams, development partners, and governments in reviewing and/or formulating national programmes/plans.
• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources.
• Provide assistance in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Undertake survey initiatives, review, analyze and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions. Assist in the identification of gaps and priorities in risk reduction at national and regional levels.
• Prepare various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings and conferences, including the identification of agenda topics relevant to disaster risk reduction, identifying participants, preparation of documents, conducting seminars / workshops and making presentations on assigned topics / activities.
• Undertake outreach activities as assigned by the Coordinator.
• Participate in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Act as Focal Point for work programming of the regional office, budgeting, and monitoring of expenditures in line with approved work and cost plans.
• Support and carry out activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc) and ensure preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc).
• Perform other duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following

Staff at all levels, within UN/ISDR and the disaster risk reduction community as well as national counterparts. Representatives of other UN agencies and other UN specialized agencies; member state personnel with responsibility for disaster risk reduction; non-governmental organization representatives; and representatives and officials in national governments, international and regional organizations, IFIs, and research institutes.

Results expected

Development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of assigned programme and initiatives. Provision of thorough, well reasoned contributions (e.g. background papers, analysis, sections of reports/studies, inputs to publications, etc.) Development and maintenance of effective working relationships. Efficient use of resources.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to disaster risk reduction (in the field of political affairs, sustainable development policy and humanitarian action); practical experience in Programme/project management and administration; good research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; familiarity with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases; ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments give; ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Communications: Good communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports, studies and other communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style. Gender Mainstreaming: Ability to identify and address relevant gender perspectives in substantive work. Creativity: Ability to actively seek to improve programmes/services, offer new and different options to solve problems/meet client needs, and promote and persuade others to consider new ideas. Technology Awareness: Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets and other statistical applications, internet, etc. Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance. Client Orientation: Ability to identify clients’ needs and develop appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; meet timeline for delivery of products/services to clients. Judgment/Decision-making: Ability to identify key issues in complex situations; propose course of action based on available information; demonstrate sound judgment and initiative, resourcefulness, and tact in resolving a range of issues/problems.

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree in development studies, disaster risk management, environment, international or public relations, business administration or equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area.
 
Experience: At least 5 years progressively responsible in the specific programme area associated with this post, such as development in areas of social, economic, environment and/or humanitarian spheres, programme evaluation, or coordination, or related fields.

Language: Fluency in written and spoken English and French are essential; fluency in one or more official UN languages is highly desirable.

Other skills: Familiarity with disaster risk reduction, the ISDR system and its partners and the Hyogo Framework for Action. Good knowledge of the major stakeholders in disaster risk reduction in Africa; Working experience in developing countries. Basic knowledge of relevant institutional mandates, policies, guidelines. Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system.