DRR field project manager

Background

IOM is committed to the principle that safe and orderly migration is a benefit to migrants and society, and is essential for achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. As a global intergovernmental organization, IOM supports governments to effectively manage the various challenges related to migration and also provides assistance to migrants. Migration can result from different environmental factors from the gradual environmental degradation including desertification, soil and coastal erosion to the natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods or tropical storms. Addressing these linkages from a human mobility perspective, IOM considers that Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) are the way forward to help populations living in areas where hazards meet vulnerability. IOM is part of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) Network and committed to the goals and principles of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) to work with Governments and Communities to rebuild resilience to hazards. As a Global Cluster lead for Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) in Natural Disasters, IOM has a global responsibility within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), ensuring that assistance is provided to the displaced. IOM has been implementing wide range of activities around the world over the years from preparedness and prevention, response and recovery with the aim of reducing vulnerabilities and managing the risks.

Based on emerging DRR needs in Myanmar and IOM expertise in the region combined with experiences gained from implementing emergency response projects in the aftermath of cyclones Nargis and Giri, IOM is now implementing a Disaster Risk Reduction Project in Mon and Kayin States of Myanmar. The project intends to contribute to the enhancement of the capacities of 55,000 persons at village, as well as Government and Township institutions, to adequately manage emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction and emergency response. The project aims to support the Government’s overarching national framework in Myanmar for preparedness for and response to natural hazards, as contained in the “Myanmar Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction (MAPDRR) 2009-2015”. Therefore, IOM is inviting qualified nationals with expertise in the areas of project management/coordination and DRR technical support to assist IOM to implement its DRR project in South-East of Myanmar.

General functions

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission and under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager and in close coordination with the Project Coordinator – Preparedness and Emergency Unit, the incumbent will work together with DRR field staff in all the technical aspects of implementation of IOM DRR programme operation in the field. Specifically, he/she will be assigned the following tasks and responsibilities.

Programme management

• Supervise project implementation of all 3 outputs of the project at the field level, including planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of all DRR activities.
• Take the overall technical lead on Output 2 of the project to review and assess existing State and Township Disaster Management Plans, and modify them (in the written form) for comprehensiveness in line with the local situation and needs as well as international principles and practices of DRR/preparedness;
• Provide technical assistance to develop / revise DRR training and IEC materials and provide trainings to IOM field staff.
• Conduct DRR training needs assessment of key stakeholders (State, Township and Village Disaster Management Committee Members and targeted beneficiaries).
• Provide State and Township levels DRR trainings on implementation of State and Township Disaster Management Plans.
• Provide and/or support State and Township level trainings on the CORE curriculum and IOM’s internal curriculum on CCCM under Output 2, with support from the Programme Manager and/or IOM experts.
• Provide technical support to DRR field teams, including ensuring that Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) in communities are carried out according to agreed methodology, Village Disaster Management Committees are established, and Community DRR Action Plans are developed in all project villages as per project design and timeframe.
• Conduct frequent monitoring visits to all sites where DRR roving teams are working to monitor the implementation of work according to the schedule and provide technical support.
• Ensure all project activities are systematically and regularly recorded, shared, stored and reported. Take the lead on ensuring effective data collection throughout the project.
• Assist to develop the M&E methodology for the project, oversee it’s implementation in the field, and draft monthly narrative field reports on the progress of the project. Take the technical and operational lead on the implementation of an end-of-project internal evaluation.

Administration and coordination

• Liaise, coordinate and facilitate effective communication with government authorities, UN agencies, INGOs, and local organisations at State, Township levels to ensure that the project activities are in line with national and local government DRR frameworks and priorities. Represent IOM at local coordination meetings.
• Ensure that the relevant information is shared / communicated with Programme Manager and Project Coordinator to allow smooth and consistent functioning of project activities.
• Provide administrative and technical support / consultation for lower level DRR field staff as well as for Resource Management Unit Staff in the sub-offices with regard to allocation and management of the project budget and expenditures and day-to-day implementation of the project activities.
• Act as a security focal person and be responsible for DRR project staff security in the field and ensure security measures are taken into account as per IOM and UNDSS guidelines.
• Contribute to further project development in the region, if necessary.
• Undertake regular duty travel within Mon and Kayin States, Thanintharyi region, as well as nationally, as may be required.
• Perform any other duties that may be required.

Desired qualifications

• Myanmar national with advanced university degree in Social Science or Disaster Management.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in UN and/or NGOs in a project management position, with experience in DRR and/or preparedness highly desirable.
• At least 2 years of concrete experience in managing DRR/preparedness projects.
• Very good knowledge on training and utilization of community mobilization and participatory tools applied in DRR context.
• Demonstrated management skills for planning, supervision of staff, monitoring and evaluation, and writing clear and concise reports. High level of attention to detail and quality in all aspects of work.
• Excellent advocacy/liaison, presentation and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrable and proven problem solving skills.
• Good in written and spoken English and Myanmar.
• Computer literate (MS office applications and database management).
• Local knowledge and local language in project areas would be an advantage.
• Flexible and tolerant.