Disaster risk reduction advisor (South Asia) - re-advertisement

Re-advertisement, extended - previous closing date: 19 August 2011

Purpose of position

The DRR Technical Advisor will provide dedicated technical advisory support to specified National Societies within the region, drawing on their depth of experience and specialist expertise in DRR to accompany each NS in overcoming the challenges that prevent the achievement of quality community-level impact at scale.

Two DRR Technical Advisors are sought who will each cover four countries.

Each Advisor will work closely, together with respective country delegations and active Partner National Societies, to support individual National Societies in identifying the challenges that prevent the successful implementation of specific community-based DRR and resilience programmes; help design a project plan to overcome these blockages and provide technical advice on the implementation of the selected actions. Areas of input could include (but not be limited to) national framework / policy development; local contextualization of existing tools; integration of climate change adaptation into DRR processes; DRR skills development and training; the refinement of implementation processes; and DRR proposal development advice. They will also be expected to oversee the technical development of any tools, guidelines or training curriculums that may be needed.

In order to achieve this, the Advisors will utilize their extensive technical and practical DRR and community engagement expertise and experience in multiple country contexts; draw upon their ability to build strong relationships at all levels of the National Society (though especially with senior leadership); bring to bear their skills in capacity-building and in bringing about change through partnership and close accompaniment. Preferably they will also apply their understanding and experience of climate change adaptation integration, and broader risk issues, in DRR approaches.

Description of duties

1. Support National Societies in identifying the blockages that prevent the successful implementation of specific community-based DRR and resilience programmes

2. Assist in the design of an implementation plan to overcome these blockages and build organizational capacity

3. Provide technical advice on the implementation of the selected actions and on the refinement of existing NS processes

4. Support the strengthening of DRR management and implementation skills at all levels of the NS, including facilitating training if necessary

5. Encourage NS to, together with other actors, develop or have access to a district / province level risk (hazard & vulnerability) map

6. Assist NS in defining what success looks like for their DRR programming and capacity building

7. Provide technical guidance in the revision of national frameworks and policies

8. Provide technical guidance in the local contextualization of existing DRR tools

9. Support NS to develop effective community based early warning system and 'last mile' warning dissemination at community level

10. Assist in the integration of climate change adaptation into DRR processes, including supporting the NS to engage with weather and climate information providers to better understand the climatic risks faced

11. Assist the NS to develop a set of country specific resilient indicators / characteristics that define a safer and resilient community within the local context

12. Provide advice on NS DRR proposal development and support NS and country delegations in securing funds for CBDRR implementation

13. Guide the IFRC Country Delegations in supporting the NS to implement national level DRR programmes

14. Oversee the technical development of any tools, guidelines or training curriculums that may be needed, including contributing to the revision of VCA tools to incorporate a multi-sectoral approach

Representation & relationships

15. Work in close collaboration with health, shelter, watsan, OD colleagues to promote an integrated DRR approach that builds community resilience and safety

16. Network and coordinate with actors involved in DRR in the region, in particular active PNS, governments, academic institutions, donors, I/NGOs, appropriate United Nations agencies (e.g. UNDP & ISDR)

17. Attend internal and external meetings, conferences or other public activities and provide appropriate feedback or reports where necessary

18. Ensure that all activities are closely linked and coordinated with wider national, regional, zonal and global DM priorities and plans

19. Support NS to document good practice and lessons identified and encourage their application in subsequent programming

20. Contribute actively to the promotion of knowledge sharing and learning between organisations within South Asia and with other regions and beyond

Lateral relationships

1. Establish and ensure effective working relationships with the other members of the regional and country delegations
2. Ensure effective working relationships with National Society counterparts and leadership
3. Ensure effective working relationships with technical and service departments at Asia Pacific and Geneva Secretariat level

Required qualifications

Education:
- Degree level (or equivalent qualification) in Disaster Management, International Development, or other relevant subject is preferred
- Post-graduate level (or equivalent qualification) in International Development, Climate Change, Disaster Management, or Risk Reduction is preferred

Experience:
- Demonstrable substantial experience in the implementation of DRR programmes in multiple country contexts
- DRR experience in the South Asia context is preferred
- Proven experience of working in partnership with, and building capacity of, local organisations
- Proven experience in building relationships and influencing change with senior management figures
- Demonstrable experience in community engagement and participatory methodologies
- Experience in field use of Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) tools is preferred
- Experience of programme design, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation and knowledge of the principles and practice of beneficiary accountability.
- Experience of working for a humanitarian aid organization (or broader civil society) in a developing country
- Practical experience in sectors that link with DRR (i.e. livelihoods, shelter, health, watsan) is preferred
- Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement experience is preferred

Skills:
- Demonstrable understanding of the issues and complexities of DRR programming
- Knowledge of climate change adaptation
- Skilled in building and maintaining key stakeholder relationships at a senior level both internally and externally.
- Demonstrated skill in external representation with government, and other actors in the sector.
- Excellent contextual analytical skills and ability to summarise complex information clearly and concisely for a variety of audiences
- Ability to communicate and present to a variety of audiences, including complex and evolving ideas
- Proven training and facilitation skills
- Proven negotiating skills is preferred
- Self-supporting in IT (Windows, spreadsheets, word processing, internet, etc.)

Languages:
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- Competence in local south Asian languages is preferred

Competencies

- Strong commitment to upholding the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
- Cross cultural sensitivity and ability to interact well with diverse groups of people and multiple teams
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Good influencing, tact, negotiating and networking skills
- Ability to build partnerships and alliances, both inside and outside the organisation
- Ability to manage/respond well to change and to work well under stress and/or time pressure
- Strong organisational skills
- Self-starter - able to work remotely to deliver on objectives
- Demonstrate flexibility and open mindedness with innovative and creative thinking
- Focus on results and accountability