Programme specialist (early warning)

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Functions:

- Supports the development, testing and roll-out of early warning and action methodology, guidance, tools and standard operating procedures.

- Supports the monitoring and analysis of potential crisis-related events and developments. 

- Up-to-date maintenance of early warning information.

- Supports the development, testing and roll-out of early warning and action methodology, guidance, tools and standard operating procedures, focusing on achievement of the following results:

- Support to the development, testing, and roll-out of an early warning and action methodology, guidance, tools and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

- Support to the design and development of an inter-institutional framework for developing and using risk indicators, risk indexes and disaster loss data.

- Support to the identification of risks and the use of the results of analysis for effective early action.

Supports the monitoring and analysis of potential crisis (conflicts and disasters)-related events and developments, focusing on achievement of the following results:

- Monitoring and analysis of potential crisis-related events and developments.

- More effective crisis response and decision-making by BCPR teams, country offices and Regional Bureaux through early warning of imminent crisis situations.

- Increased capacity in BCPR to identify imminent crisis situations and apply risk information to risk management.

Ensures up-to-date maintenance of early warning information, focusing on achievement of the following results:

- Creation, maintenance and regular update of early warning information.

- Support the establishment of database of situation-specific preparedness and contingency plans, including communications and information activities.

- Support the establishment and maintenance of a database of risk identification results, methodologies, best practices and lessons learned, which would be available to UNDP country offices, Regional Bureaux and UN Country Teams for use in conceiving preparedness and contingency plans.

- Creation, maintenance and regular update of database of relevant institutions and partners for risk identification and risk management work.

Impact of Results:

The key results have a positive impact on the development, testing, roll-out and implementation of an early warning system and action methodology, guidance, tools and standard operating procedures. The key results will enable UNDP to make a more effective crisis response and decision-making, as well as have access to updated early warning information. 

Competencies

- Identifying and building partnerships

- Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments.

- Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved.

Promoting organizational learning and knowledge sharing:

-Developing tools and mechanisms

- Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches.

- Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

- Understands more advanced aspects of disaster risk reduction and recovery as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines.

- Keeps abreast of new developments in area of disaster risk reduction and recovery and seeks to develop him/herself professionally.

- Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Client orientation :

- Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

- Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider.

- Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services.

Organizational Awareness:

- Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment Understands the structure and hierarchy of UN/UNDP, process flows throughout the organization, products and services, their measures of effectiveness, and perceptions of clients.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

- Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively. Uses tact and sensitivity when delivering sensitive information or resolving delicate issues.

Conflict Management/Negotiating & Resolving Disagreements:

- Managing conflict Remains calm, composed and patient, regardless of his/her own state of mind in the face of conflict
Required Skills and Experience.

Education

A minimum of a Master's degree or equivalent in social sciences and/or development related fields with some qualification in a discipline relevant to crisis prevention and recovery.

Experience:

- At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in crisis management, crisis prevention, crisis recovery disaster risk management and development, including field experience.
- Experience in early warning and early action.
- Experience with the UN system is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required; working knowledge of other UN official language is an asset.