DIPECHO project manager
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Purpose of position
Under the DG ECHO’s DIPECHO programme, UNICEF is implementing a disaster risk reduction programme in South Caucasus and Central Asia. The project covers disaster risk reduction activities in the sector of education in the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The incumbent, under the overall guidance of Regional Emergency Advisor and the direct supervision of the Regional Emergency Specialist, will be responsible for the overall coordination and management of the DIPECHO programme in South Caucasus and Central Asia. This will involve a broad range of activities at the regional, national and even sub-national levels, including coordination, planning and management, focusing on the achievement of the results and objectives identified under the DIPECHO programme.
Main duties/responsibilities
Promote close cooperation and communication of relevant UNICEF staff at the regional and country level to ensure overall direction and coherence of the DIPECHO programme in the two sub-regions. To the extent possible, ensure coherence in programme approaches and strategies across the seven countries.
Provide technical guidance and support to the seven country offices in developing specific strategies and approaches and partnership networks for achieving the project outcomes. Proactively identify technical support needs and organize coverage of those technical gaps, including through identification and recruitment of experts.
Plan and implement capacity building initiatives for UNICEF staff and counterparts to facilitate the achievement of project objectives, including planning and organizing regional/sub-regional training events addressing the specific training needs of the countries. Mobilize goods and services, including drafting concept notes, agenda, TORs, etc.
Establish a regional database for all DIPECHO-related documentation (good practices, press releases, DRR materials, etc), utilizing the UNICEF intranet and internet. Ensure that the contents of the DRR webpage are kept updated. Promote sharing of information, experiences and materials across the two sub-regions.
Undertake field visits to monitor and assess as well as support implementation of project activities against the indicators and benchmarks established in the two DIPECHO project document (Single Form) and the individual country work plans. Solicit support from the senior management at country and regional level in undertaking corrective action, as needed.
Establish/enhance cooperation with relevant regional DRR stakeholders (regional bodies, UN agencies, NGOs, etc) for programme coherence/coordination, information/experience exchange and implementation of joint initiatives. Liaise with key regional players working on disaster risk reduction, particularly in the area of education, to build synergy and complementarities between the respective programmes.
Monitor and facilitate advocacy and outreach activities, including writing of success stories, press-releases, and other relevant PR campaigns. Ensure adequate acknowledgment and visibility of the donor contribution throughout the project implementation period both at the country and regional level. Maintain close contact with the relevant ECHO desk officers in the region to regularly update them on project implementation.
Closely track the utilization and disbursement of programme funds at the country and regional level, ensuring that funds are committed, re-allocated and expended in a timely and efficient manner. Liaise with the RO operations unit and PARMO Brussels.
Prepare and disseminate quarterly narrative and financial reports for internal monitoring purposes in a timely manner. Prepare briefs and updates for the RO/CO management and global/regional events, as required.
Ensure timely and comprehensive reporting to the donor (ECHO) on the implementation of DIPECHO programme in the CEE/CIS region. This involves developing, clearing and finalizing the donor reports in collaboration with the country offices, Regional Office and PARMO Brussels.
Support mobilization of financial resources to expand the donor base for disaster risk reduction activities in South Caucasus and Central Asia.
Qualifications and competencies
Education: Advanced university degree in disaster management, social sciences or related field.
Specialized training in disaster risk reduction highly desirable.
Work Experience: Five to ten (5-10) years progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in disaster management, including risk mitigation. Previous experience with DIPECHO Programme highly desirable
Background:
• Current knowledge of global developments and trends, technology and institutional environments in disaster management, especially related to education.
Key skills and attributes:
• Knowledge and experience in the implementation and management of programmes in disaster risk management.
• Ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage activities within the framework of organisational and government programmes.
• Good analytical and writing skills.
• Good knowledge of DG ECHO and UNICEF.
• Knowledge of computer applications.
Required Competencies:
• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results
• Leading and Supervising
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts
• Analyzing
• Relating and Networking
• Applying Technical Expertise
• Planning and Organizing
Languages:
Fluency in English language is required. Fluency in Russian is desirable.
Expected Outputs:
• Quarterly internal monitoring reports.
• Interim and final donor reports.
• Capacity building training for UNICEF staff and counterparts
• Maintenance of updated DRR webpage
• Good practices/lessons learnt
• Visibility action plan
• Technical guidance on project activities
• Regional event on DRR in Education