Emergency preparedness and response manager

Background

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is looking for an accomplished individual to lead its emergency preparedness and response activities. This is a full-time position based in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, at the Disaster Risk Management Initiative (DRMI) Coordination Office. The DRMI was launched in 2010 to strengthen the relevant disaster management capabilities of the agencies of the AKDN in Central and South Asia. Its four main goals in the region are to: assess natural hazard risk, promote safety consciousness, reduce disaster risk, and build emergency response capacity.

General responsibilities

The Programme Manager will be responsible for building emergency management (EM) capacity in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Tajikistan. S/he will ensure that all AKDN agencies have the skills, equipment and systems to respond to natural hazard-related emergencies, and that vulnerable communities have access to effective first response. His/her role will include providing technical assistance during actual emergencies, and establishing a certificate-based EM vocational training programme in partnership with leading institutions within and beyond Asia.

Relationships

• S/he will report to the DRMI Coordinator.
• S/he will manage staff and consultants associated with the DRMI Non-Structural Safety & Preparedness programme.
• S/he will work closely with all DRMI Coordination Office staff, as well as other AKDN agencies in the region, to implement the DRMI Work Plan.

Primary duties

• The Programme Manager will coordinate the AKDN’s emergency management (EM) training, exercises and drills across Central and South Asia.
• S/he will assess current EM practises in the region, and then implement activities to accelerate their improvement.
• S/he will provide technical advice to relevant AKDN agencies during emergency response operations.
• S/he will develop and implement capacity building programmes through the Aga Khan University, University of Central Asia, and other AKDN training partners.
• S/he will implement the Incident Command System as the AKDN’s uniform approach to emergency response coordination.
• S/he will instruct EM courses as required, and mentor course instructors once they are recruited.
•  S/he will perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

The desired candidate should ideally have the following profile

• A graduate degree in emergency management, public health, engineering, natural hazards management or related disciplines.
• At least 10-15 years of EM experience, with demonstrable expertise in ICS-based response methods.
• At least 3 years of training experience, in one or more EM subject areas.
• Some field experience with light or medium weight urban search and rescue teams, as defined by the UN’s International Search & Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).
• Proven managerial skills and an ability to collaborate effectively with regional and international subject-matter experts.
• Exceptional ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English.
• Strong cultural sensitivity to Central and South Asia, and willingness to travel to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and internationally as required.