Closing date:

Programme Officer, L-3

City/location:
Bangkok
Organization:
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Asia and Pacific

This job posting has closed

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 Bangkok, Thailand under the overall guidance of the Director and reporting to the Senior Programme Officer/Coordinator for the UN/ISDR Asia and the Pacific.

Duties and responsibilities

• Contribute to the management and monitoring of the implementation of UN/ISDR initiative ‘Building Resilience to Tsunamis in the Indian Ocean’, including:
i. Monitor and analyse project progress and results and the development of regular progress reports and information material;
ii. Contribute to strengthening government and partner ownership and commitment to the initiative and coherent HFA implementation.
iii. Lead the establishment and strengthening of a national and regional monitoring and reporting mechanism, based on National Platforms as well as long term multi-stakeholder and multi-sector planning for disaster risk reduction.
iv. Assist in the development of tools and guidelines for risk and vulnerability assessments, disaster preparedness kits, as well as education and information material for communities, schools and the media.
v. Manage project funds to ensure that allocations, management and disbursements of funds are in accordance with project overall results framework.
• Assist in the effective implementation of Office priorities in Asia and Pacific, including policy and strategy issues on enforced multi-hazard frameworks, strengthened government capacities for disaster risk reduction, and adoption of indigenous knowledge in disaster risk reduction through e.g.:
i. Lead the establishment of a regional coordination and information-sharing mechanism towards enhanced multi-hazard frameworks for early warning and disaster risk reduction.
ii. Provide substantive support to the development of regional tools and guidelines for enhancement of National Platforms for Disaster Reduction.
iii. Strengthen cooperation with UNDP Regional Centre and provide support to joint ISDR-UNDP activities.
• Assist in the establishment of a regional HFA reporting framework, including support to the development of HFA indicators, and the development of consolidated regional and thematic HFA reports to the Global Platform 2009.
• Provide inputs to publications, newsletters and web pages as well as substantive input to major workshops and conferences that are coordinated by UN/ISDR.
• Assist in 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 particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve. Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree in environmental or development field relevant to disaster risk reduction, such as environmental management, risk management, development economics, communications, organizational behaviour, or other relevant discipline or the equivalent combination of academic qualifications and experience in related area.
Work experience: Minimum five years of professional experience in relevant international settings with experience in managing projects. Experience in disaster risk reduction and early warning desirable.
Languages: Fluency in oral and written English is essential. Knowledge of other UN languages would be an asset.
Other desirable skills: Experience and competence in interacting in diverse cultural and social situations. Strong focus on needs-based programming, creativity, versatility and responsiveness to meet changing project demands, and flexibility to contribute to team efforts on demand.

Attachments

P-11 Form , English

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