Disaster Risk Management Analyst

Background

Office/Unit/Project Description 

As a key partner in the Resilience debate in Zimbabwe, UNDP has in partnership with African Development Bank (AfDB) in implementing a project on mitigating fragility through the africa disaster risk financing programme in southern Africa under the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF) Phase 2. The overall objective of the project is to enhance resilience and adaptation to climate disaster risks for vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe. The specific objectives of the project are to: (Component 1) increase institutional capacity for climate risk preparedness and management; (Component 2) increase financial protection against climate disaster risks through sovereign climate disaster risk transfer; and (Component 3) promote adoption of index-based crop insurance to mitigate against drought and other production risks at the micro-level. UNDP Zimbabwe is a technical implementing partner responsible for implementation of some activities in component 1, namely, supporting strengthening of disaster risk assessments and monitoring system and setting up Disaster Risk Information Management System linked to the National Emergency Operation Centre. The Department of Civil Protection (the “DCP”) in collaboration with the Project Management Unit (the “PMU”) based at the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion (the “MoFEDIP”) are the Executing Agency, with overall responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the project and approving requests and reports made by the UNDP. The DCP shall be responsible for providing oversight on the project, monitoring, consistently holding technical and steering committee meetings and reporting to the Fund on the project’s progress.

To contribute to the achievement of the above, the Disaster Risk Management Analyst will be the focal point for the project under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator and will participate in direct implementation of the activities related to supporting strengthening of disaster risk assessments and monitoring system and setting up Disaster Risk Information Management System linked to the National Emergency Operation Centre. The candidate will work closely with the Knowledge/Information Management Analyst to deliver the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide technical support and guidance to project stakeholders on disaster risk assessments and monitoring system and setting up Disaster Risk Information Management System:  

• Lead and support the provision of tailored technical support on disaster risk governance strategies, risk assessments and monitoring systems;
• Supporting in implementing technical approaches for disaster risk monitoring adapted to the various districts and needs of beneficiaries;
• Supporting the timely setting up of a Disaster Risk Information Management System for the Department of Civil Protection linked to the National Emergency Operation Centre;
• Anticipate challenges relating to functioning of Disaster Risk Information Management System and facilitate proactive resolution of problems when needed;
• Developing DCP capacity with techniques and new methodologies linked to sustaining the established Disaster Risk Information Management System;
• Supporting and assisting DCP in the drafting of high-quality sustainability and scale up plan for Disaster Risk Information Management and disaster monitoring systems;
• Monitoring the implementation of the project components and ensuring that these feed into local-level planning and national priorities;
• Ensuring regular check-ins between the established system and overall National Emergency Centre reports and discuss options or needs for adaptation;
• Generating and proposing new innovative ideas and more effective ways of implementing the system in the scale-up plan.

Contribute to the coordination with national, provincial, district and ward project  stakeholders in the implementation of the project: 

• Liaising with relevant national and sub-nation level partners on the collection and analysis of information to effectively feed into the system;
• Supporting emergency coordination, disaster preparedness and response efforts in collaboration with the Department of Civil Protection and other partners at all levels;
• Providing technical support and assistance in analyzing humanitarian and disaster related issues and tying them to the project requirements;
• Preparing regular situation and field mission reports highlighting needs and response efforts for internal and external use during project implementation;
• Supporting disaster preparedness and response campaigns;
• Supporting the review of the emergency coordination mechanisms and scenarios in the district contingency plans and link it to project;
• Provide assistance in the implementation of inclusive, field-level coordination mechanisms as required;
• Participate in workshops and/or technical exchange meetings on risk assessment, response planning.

Quality assurance of project activities and support to DCP in utilization of reports and results from the established system:

• Provide advise to DCP and system results and report interpretation including utilization of the findings;
• Providing technical field support in the designing and implementation of assessment tools and exercises;
• Participating in ground truthing missions for the established system; including data verification and validation;
• Participating in the dissemination of guides and tools linked to Disaster Risk Management;
• Participate in the quarterly and annual review of project performance;
• Documenting and analyzing innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches that support the scaling up of the project.

Facilitate knowledge management, reporting and communication

• Making contributions in relation to the Humanitarian and DRM elements monthly and quarterly reports;
• Provide support to the ZRBF 2 in relevant technical forums and meetings related to humanitarian affairs and Disaster Risk Management such as the HCT, the UN DRM task force and regional and district platforms;
• Prepare all internal and external reports as required by the project;
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.              

Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Disaster Risk Management Analyst will support the successful implementation of strengthening of disaster risk assessments and monitoring system and setting up Disaster Risk Information Management System linked to the National Emergency Operation Centre to contribute to the overall resilience of target communities.  S/he will support overall implementation and capacity building of DCP to ensure coherence, relevance, quality and accountability of the project through providing technical guidance/backstopping.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:- LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:-LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:-LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility:-LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles  ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: -LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:-LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:-LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Direction & Strategy -System Thinking-Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Development– Knowledge Facilitation- Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation,  contribution, and exchange.

Business Management-Project Management- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business Management-Communication- Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. -Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Partnership Management– Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery -Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk Management.

2030 Agenda: Planet – Relationship Management – Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent ) in Social Sciences/Disaster Management /Natural Resources and Environment Management or other related fields is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Min. years of relevant work experience 

• Minimum of 2 years’ (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience working on disaster risk management and monitoring and information management.

Required  skills 

• At least 2 years’ of experience and knowledge of emergency preparedness, preparedness planning, early warning and emergency response;
• At least 2 years  of previous experience working with community-based projects;
• At least 2 years of  previous experience working with multi-sector projects;
• Experience in design, facilitation, use of participatory techniques and practical community-based approaches;

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Demonstrated ability to formulate and implement Disaster Risk Management , DRM information management system, anticipatory action;
• Good expertise in setting up DRM information management system;
• Experience and knowledge of gender-sensitive approaches;
• Experience in developing early warning and information management systems for programmes and strategies;
• Experience in ability to formulate and manage budgets;
• Proven knowledge of major humanitarian and development challenges in rural Zimbabwe;
• Previous UN or UNDP work experience.

Required Language(s) 

• Fluency in English and Shona and/or Ndebele is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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