Programme officer (disaster management)

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is inviting applications from suitably qualified Nationals from its Member States and CARICOM to fill the position of Programme Officer (Disaster Management) within the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit of the OECS Secretariat in Saint Lucia.

Background

The Comprehensive Disaster Management Harmonized Implementation Programme (Phase 1) is a five-year programme aimed at enhancing institutional support and community resilience to mitigate and respond to and recover from the adverse affects of climate variability and change and disasters. The programme is unique as it promotes a multi-donor harmonized approach for the support of the enhanced Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy.
It is envisaged that the five (5) year programme will commence within the second quarter of 2008 and conclude by March 31, 2013. The estimated cost of the programme is US $11,706,192, of which the Canadian International Development Agency and the UK Department for International Development (CIDA & DFID) are committed to provide US $7,931,150. Complementary contributions are currently being provided by donor partners, contributing to a larger initiative such as European Union, USAID, ACP/EU, Government of Turkey, CDERA and Participating States in the amount US $ 3,775,042.
The proposed programme is a direct contribution to the CIDA Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Program (CDRMP) 2008-2012; the DFID Draft Regional Assistance Plan for the Caribbean 2007-2010 and the enhanced CDM Strategy and Programming Framework 2007-2012.
The intended beneficiaries of the programme include – National Disaster Management Organizations, CDERA CU, the OECS region, and people of the Caribbean region who will benefit from institutional changes and also directly through training and skills development. It is envisaged that the five year programme will contribute to reduced losses from disasters in the Caribbean region and improved disaster risk management coordination at the national and regional levels. At the community level, the programme is intended to increase the level of awareness in safer building programmes; promote the development of community disaster risk reduction plans through participatory processes; integrate hazard information in national/local development plans; and promote a shared vision of what is a prepared and resilient community.
The OECS Secretariat is an implementation partner and will be responsible for the implementation of the elements of the programme within their jurisdiction which support the Outcome 4 results of the programme. The OECS Secretariat will support the CDERA CU in agreed areas of programme implementation.

Qualifications and Experience

• Post Graduate degree in Earth Science, Social Science or equivalent qualification and two (2) years subject matter experience gained through service within a disaster management or civil defense organization or affiliated organizations.
• Project management certification or at least two (2) years project management work experience in a disaster management agency or similar organization.

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to efficiently utilize word-processing, database management and spreadsheet software programmes
• Proven capacity to work with and establish working relationships with communities, community development agencies, government (at all levels) and non-government representatives.
• Ability to communicate and relate effectively with persons at all levels
• Report writing, data acquisition and analysis skills
• Good interpersonal skills and communications
• A good working knowledge of disaster, environment, and project management issues
• Knowledge of Microsoft project software

Language Requirements

Proficient in the use of English.