Technical Specialist for Early Warning and Emergency Coordination Centers

Purpose and objectives

Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC) has recently unveiled its 8-year (2023-2030) roadmap to implement a national multi-hazard, impact-based, early warning and early action system (MH-IB-EW-EAS). It envisions resilient communities in Ethiopia being protected by robust, multi-hazard, and multi-sectoral government-led early warning systems (EWS). Aside from the fact that it is closely aligned with Ethiopia's disaster risk management (DRM) policy and strategy, it is also well matched with international frameworks and accords, such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction Framework (SFDRR), the Paris Agreement, the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, the Early Warning for All initiative (EW4All), and the Humanitarian Development-Peacebuilding (H-D-P) approach or 'triple nexus' approach.

In this roadmap for a transformative early warning system, four pathways are used to deliver four change goals, which ultimately contribute to Ethiopia's vision of creating communities that are more resilient and protected during times of crisis by a robust, multi-hazard, multi-sectoral, and government-led emergency response. The response will be delivered by state and non-state actors and its effectiveness will be assessed by timely early warning alerts and messaging that trigger quality disaster responses. Data availability and accessibility will be improved through technology, disaster risk information will be integrated into sectoral ministries and specialized agencies, and full legal accountability will be enforced. Furthermore, it is anticipated to enhance coordination between international, national, and regional partners, communities, and local actors. Improving early warning data analysis will help with resource scarcity, harmonization, and interoperability.

EDRMC in partnership with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is currently implementing a program namely “Improving Coordination Capacity for Preparedness and Emergency Response in Ethiopia (ETCOR)” with technical and funding support from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The program aims to enhance preparedness and response systems, capacity, coordination mechanisms, and information and knowledge management systems for EDRMC and key sectoral ministries, including agriculture and health. In addition to championing the development of this flagship MH-IB-EW-EAS roadmap, it has also contributed to the improvement of the National and Regional Emergency Coordination Centers (ECCs)’ operational capacity, infrastructure, and information management systems in three pilot regions (Afar, Oromia, and Somalia), Incident Command Posts (ICPs), and Quarantine Centers (QCs).

In order to contribute to and improve the roadmap's implementation and strengthen ECC's capacity, the program is looking for a qualified consultant as a Technical Specialist for Early Warning and Emergency Coordination Centers to be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The key objectives of the position include:

1. To provide technical assistance for harmonization and automation of the National EWS and development of tools for data collection, analysis, automated warning information generation, monitoring, forecasting, and dissemination .
2. To support the familiarization, socialization, implementation, monitoring, andevaluation of the MH-IB-EW-EWS roadmap to achieve the four changes.
3. To provide technical assistance to the EDRMC's Early Warning and Response Directorate for the development of Early Warning (EW) bulletins and contribute to the coordination of the Early Warning Technical Working Group (EW-TWG).
4. To provide technical support for the sub-national level government on automated EWS, including operationalizing ECCs using a virtual platform that integrates EWS and ECCs.
5. To provide technical assistance on EWS and enable the evidence-based activation of ECC at times of emergency.
6. To support and ensure synergies among the Federal ECC, establish linkages with MH-IB-EW-EAS, and collaborate with all other sectoral and regional ECCs in the country.

This technical specialist position is open for Ethiopian Nationals only. The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Expected outputs

As part of the Program Management Unit (PMU), the Technical Specialist for Early Warning and Emergency Coordination Centers will be based in EDRMC.

Responsibilities and tasks

1. Providing assistance in harmonizing and developing tools for collecting, analyzing, generating, and disseminating EW messages and Woreda Disaster Risk Profiles.
2. Offering technical and operational support for the implementation of Ethiopia’s MH-IB-EW-EWS roadmap to achieve the 4 change goals.
3. Providing technical assistance to EDRMC's Early Warning and Response Directorate for the development of EW bulletins and alerts and EW data management.
4. Strengthening ECC coordination among government sectors, humanitarian actors, and communities and establishing linkage with EWS.
5. Enhancing the preparedness and response capacity of ECC operations through the virtual platform.

Providing technical assistance in the development of a mechanism for triggering ECC activation and deactivation within the whole EWS.

Working principles

In performing the duties and responsibilities indicated above, the technical specialist will report directly to the Deputy Commissioner at EDRMC, work closely with the Early Warning and Response Directorate staff, and coordinate with other EDRMC Directorates.

Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Disaster Risk Management, Meteorology, Hydrology, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Statistics, Information Management Systems, Natural Resources Management, or a related field is essential, with working experience in Ethiopia. A Ph.D. in a related field would be an added advantage.

Work experience

• At least 10 years of proven experience in humanitarian response planning, disaster management, early warning systems and automation, and desirable skills in information technology, management, scientific data systems, database development, statistical analysis, GIS, and related areas.
• Familiarity and a minimum of 5 years of experience in working with government agencies in capacity building and providing technical advisory support.
• Knowledge of the working ethics of national government agencies, International NGOs, National NGOs, private organizations, and international organizations would prove to be an added advantage.

Personal qualities

• Self-motivated, proactive, and takes initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, and organize work & time independently.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and team-oriented work style.
• Strong networking capacity and understanding of humanitarian and development nexus at local and regional levels.
• Strong desire to learn, undertake new challenges, must be a creative problem-solver, and must have self-confidence.
• Willingness to work in a multi-tasking environment, good sense of humor but seriousness about the quality and excellence of work.

Languages

• For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Verbal and written communication skills in Amharic are essential. Knowledge of another Ethiopian language is an advantage.

General requirements

• Operate within all EDRMC and ADPC Guidelines & Procedures/ Policies.
• Operate within specific program needs.

Duty station

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Duration

From January to June 2024 with the possibility of extension based on the performance and technical requirements of the position and project.

Condition of payment

The consultant will be paid a monthly professional fee upon submission of timesheets to be approved by EDRMC and counter-endorsed by ADPC Program Manager based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The consultant is expected to submit monthly timesheets related to the tasks along with the above-stated deliverables. All taxes, duties, and government charges imposed or levied in connection with the contract will be the sole responsibility of the consultant.

Itinerary

In case the official mission under the ETCOR program outside the duty station is required, the consultant will be entitled to domestic flights, local travel, daily subsistence allowance, accommodation, and other related travel costs as per EDRMC financial and administrative policies and costs will be covered by the program.

How to apply

Interested Candidates can submit the completed ADPC application form, (downloadable from www.adpc.net), resume, copy of degrees/certificate(s) together with a cover letter, to: adpcjobs@adpc.net.

Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

ADPC encourages diversity in its workplace and supports an inclusive work environment.