Tsunami disaster preparedness planning officer

The American Red Cross Tsunami Recovery Program (TRP) has been established to direct the organization’s response to the December 26, 2004 South Asia tsunami disaster. The TRP activities will focus on integrated community recovery and preparedness interventions in tsunami affected countries in Asia and East Africa in collaboration with Red Cross and non-Red Cross partners, through 2010.

Summary

The Disaster Preparedness Country Manager will oversee a complex $5+ million community and school based disaster preparedness program in eleven districts in Sri Lanka. The emphasis of this position will be management responsibilities, including partner liaison, with oversight of multiple field teams who are managing direct project implementation.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of expatriate and national staff technical advisors in supporting communities and schools to conduct in-depth analysis of the risks, vulnerabilities and capacities in high-risk zones and communities, and analyze disaster response mechanisms and operational procedures and practices
• Serve as a liaison to the national partner, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) Disaster Management department, to ensure timely and transparent implementation
• Work with program staff to ensure that they meet the goals, objectives, and benchmarks set out in delegation’s strategic plan and the projects’ monitoring and evaluation plans
• Develop, approve and monitor project workplans and budgets and ensure timely compliance
• Guide Disaster Preparedness teams towards an integrated approach with other ARC programs to address disaster risk reduction needs, as well as cross-cutting themes such as gender
• Support the long-term capacity building and programmatic integration of DP into SLRCS’s core programming and role with the national Disaster Management Center
• Review, provide feedback, and approve required reports in a timely fashion
• Ensure that sustainable systems are set in place for longer-term disaster response mechanisms at the community and school level
• Coordinate closely with the Sri Lanka Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and ensure that these projects are implemented within the framework of the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Qualifications

- Master's Degree preferred, BA/BS in disaster management, business management, public administration, international studies, social work or related disciplines; or relavant equivalent experience and a minimum of five years related experience with an international development or humanitarian aid organization required.
- Minimum four years in a project management role, including responsibility over staff, budgets, partner relationships, administration, and implementation planning. At least four years experience working internationally in a developing country required. - Knowledge of long term community- and school- based disaster preparedness, disaster response models, disaster planning, and mitigation programs as well as understanding skills in relation to facilitating institutional development critical.
- Strong international project design and project management experience including proposal and budget development, program monitoring and evaluation, financial and programmatic tracking and reporting, and a proven track record of successful teamwork needed.
- Experience with proposal development and strong writing skills necessary.
- Knowledge of Red Cross operating procedures and standards helpful.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, in English, is essential.
- Must have the ability to work in an environment of diverse languages and cultures.
- Work experience in Asia preferred.