Project officer - risk analysis

Purpose

The purpose of this position is to support the role of CRP in strengthening member countries capacity in risk mapping by undertaking research, collecting and collating temporal and spatial data, and assisting in the development and facilitation of relevant training programmes.

Nature and scope

1. Reporting Relationships

The Project Officer has a dual responsibility within the Hazards & Risk Unit (HRU) of the CRP to the Risk Analyst and Hazards Adviser. There is no one subordinate to this position.

2. Role of the CRP

The overall goal of the Community Risk Programme is to strengthen Disaster Risk Management (DRM) practices within countries in the region by providing effective and coordinated support by SOPAC and other partners.

This goal is drawn from the SOPAC Strategic Plan 2005 – 2009 and is closely aligned to various regional and international instruments endorsed by Pacific island countries in the area of disaster risk management. Of specific relevance to the CRP are the Pacific Plan and Pacific Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005-2015 which support and advocate for the building of safer and more resilient communities to disasters.

The Pacific Plan specifically calls for the development and implementation of policies and plans for the mitigation and management of natural disasters and similar to the Regional Framework for Action, which was endorsed by Pacific leaders in 2005, provides a basis for the implementation of various initiatives by the region and each individual country in terms of DRM, or more specifically disaster risk reduction and disaster management.

In respect to disaster management the CRP provides assistance to the region by collaborating with relevant partners in terms of the provision of technical advice and support for the preparedness, response and recovery measures of each country.

In terms of disaster risk reduction, the CRP also provides technical advice and support to help countries manage risks by identifying and analysing the sources of risk and to develop mechanisms to prevent or mitigate against such risks through the application of a combination of technological, policy, legislative and administrative solutions.

The CRP Work Programme is aligned to and modeled in accordance with the SOPAC Strategic Plan. It has 3 programme components as follows:

Component 1 – Strengthening Resilience to Disasters

Component 2 – Mitigating the Effects of Hazards

Component 3 – Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management

Each of the specific work projects or priorities under taken by CRP staff are categorised under each of the 3 Components.

3. Role of the Hazards & Risk Unit

The HRU of the CRP has a range of responsibilities in relation to assisting Pacific countries to minimise their vulnerability to a range of hazards that face them. One such responsibility is for the assessment and mapping of risks related to various natural hazards such as cyclone, tsunami, earthquakes, floods, landslides etc. Typically the HRU produces hazard and vulnerability maps which can then be used by Pacific countries for a range of purposes such as development planning. The HRU, as part of their ability to provide scientific assessment of hazards, also provides advice and support for the design and implementation of risk reduction measures, such as appropriate early warning systems.

Another responsibility is that the HRU is that it may on occasion be called upon, at the request of countries, to undertake or coordinate post-disaster technical assessments of hazard impact.

In terms of building country capacity the HRU has a specific focus on GIS applications training and in this regard works closely with the relevant national authorities within Pacific countries to train staff.

4. Role of the Position

The Project Officer is a key position as the incumbent will be expected to undertake research to enhance the ability of the HRU to provide capacity building support of target countries. The Project Officer will collate time series and spatial data and package this for use in risk mapping and capacity building initiatives. The incumbent will be responsible for the organisation and partly facilitate training and workshops on risk mapping and GIS applications for DRM.

Typically the Project Officer will collect, process and analyse field data; produce hazard and vulnerability maps; provide awareness information in relation to hazards, vulnerability maps and assessments. The Project Officer will work with country counterparts to identify work and training priorities and liaise with relevant agencies, academic and other institutions to coordinate work delivery.

5. Role of Subordinates

Not applicable.

6. Interpersonal Relationships

Internal

The incumbent liaises regularly with the Risk Analyst and Hazards Adviser on the progress of work within the HRU. The incumbent also meets regularly with the Programme Assistant in relation to travel arrangements and other administrative requirements. There are also regular meetings which the incumbent must participate in to support the work of the unit and of the CRP.

The key internal contacts are:

-  Risk Analyst
-  Hazards Adviser
-  Manager CRP
-  CRP Programme Assistant and CRP technical staff
-  Personnel of other SOPAC Programmes

External

There is a high frequency of interaction that the incumbent experiences external stakeholders and these are largely in relation to collection and collation of data and the organisation of training and capacity building.

Key external contacts are:

-  Representatives of academic and technical institutions that support GIS capacity building
-  Heads of NDMOs
-  Members of the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Partnership Network

7. Challenges and Developments

The major challenge of this position is to facilitate the collection and collation of relevant scientific and technical data and to assist in the training and capacity development of the relevant staff of national authorities in the region.

Other specific challenges which face the Project Officer are:

Understanding the cultures within the Pacific region: It is important that the incumbent maintain a good understanding of the cultures and their respective traits as ignorance of these may hamper CRP work efforts.
Working as a team: There are many demanding requirements of work within CRP and this requires a dedicated team effort.
CRP staff shortages: This may affect the ability of incumbent to pursue work priorities.
Working with Consultants: The incumbent may need to work closely with consultants that may be engaged from time to time to assist with GIS mapping or any other aspect of HRU work.
Regular Travel & Health Issues: The Project Officer will be required to travel regularly and extensively and will thus be demanding on the individual in a physical sense. The travel may also subject the incumbent to the possibility of many health hazards such as malaria and dengue fever, non-potable water supplies and poor sanitary facilities.

8. Authority Level

The position does not hold any specified expenditure authority level.

9. Reporting Requirements

The incumbent is required to report regularly to the Risk Analyst and Hazards Adviser against the progress work assigned under the CRP Work Programme. Such reports are also linked directly to the SOPAC Performance Management System.

10. Principal Accountabilities

The principal accountabilities for the position are as follows:

1. Capacity Building Support & Skills Transfer

Assist in ensuring the increased capacity of countries to manage GIS by providing accurate and timely and relevant capacity building advice, support and the transfer of skills.

2. Collection and Collation of Data

Facilitate the collection and collation of relevant spatial data to facilitate the development of GIS applications.

3. Reporting

Adhere to all reporting requirements in an accurate and timely manner to facilitate individual accountability within CRP and to contribute to CRP’s greater accountability within SOPAC.

4. SOPAC Policies & Regulations Compliance

Ensure compliance with all relevant policies, regulations and administrative directions to contribute to the good governance of the CRP and SOPAC.

11. Knowledge/Skills/Experience

-  A graduate degree, in an appropriate field of science, engineering or risk management from a recognised university.
-  Proven research skills and report writing
-  Good understanding of the cultures and the working environments of member countries and the ability to be proactive in developing new ideas to serve and to address the needs of member countries
-  Fluency in written and spoken English is essential to communicate with member country governments and other regional and international organisations. Knowledge of other languages and demonstrated work in multicultural environments is an asset.
-  Strong PC based computer skills, Microsoft applications (in particular, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and in particular MS Access and/or SQL)
-  Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under limited or no supervision.
-  Experience in GIS applications and GIS data management would be an asset

Selection criteria  

In addition to having the above knowledge, skills and experience, applicants will be assessed based on interview performance and work sample and the following other requirements:

-  Aptitude for the provision of high quality service
-  Clarity, confidence and articulateness in both oral and written communication
-  Strong analytical skills and the ability to master new material quickly
-  Demonstrated ability in problem solving and finding alternative solutions
-  Ability to work effectively in a cross cultural environment
-  Willingness to undertake frequent travel both within and outside the region