Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide adequate assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, people on the move and local vulnerable population/host communities. DRC is currently looking for a highly qualified Spanish and English-speaking Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist for a 12 month contract (renewable depending on funding and performance) based in Caracas, Venezuela. This is an opportunity for an experienced DRR to support DRC’s emergency response to the current situation in Venezuela.

The overall purpose of the role:

The Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Specialist serves as the Danish Refugee Council’s (DRC) primary expert for both institutional and community-based disaster readiness measures, with an emphasis on proactive strategies, early warning systems, and developing the resilience of communities and local stakeholders (including the local government) within Venezuela.

This role involves delivering prompt and quality technical guidance to support DRC’s execution of initiatives aimed at preparedness and resilience, ensuring that these initiatives are seamlessly integrated with the efforts of DRC teams and collaborative partners.

The Specialist’s responsibilities include fostering a synergistic approach among DRC’s internal teams and external partners, with the ultimate goal of mitigating the adverse effects of disasters on at-risk populations.

The Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist will work closely with Base managers, project teams and partners.

Responsibilities:

Technical support

• Provide technical support and guidance to DRC Venezuela in the implementation of projects and tools related to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRD), Disaster Preparedness (DP), and Disaster Management (DM) at the organizational, government and community levels linked to anticipatory action, anticipatory early warning, and disaster resilience.
• Monitor and follow up on the implementation of DRC Venezuela projects related to disaster preparedness and resilience.
• Provide technical support for the integration, preparedness, and resilience of disasters into DRC Venezuela’s plans and strategy, as appropriate.
• Promote greater understanding of disaster preparedness and resilience terminologies, tools, quality criteria, and approaches.
• Provide technical and operational support for the articulation of preparedness mechanisms in situations of imminent disaster risk, considering anticipatory measures and the link with the implementation of response actions.

Coordination and advocacy

• Liaise DRC Venezuela with relevant inter-institutional and local partners on disaster preparedness and resilience mechanisms to ensure good coordination and identify potential synergies and partnerships.
• Contribute to DRC Venezuela’s planning and resource mobilization, e.g., prepare concept notes, lead/participate in the development of projects/program proposals related to disaster preparedness and resilience.

Learning and Knowledge Management

• Strengthen capacity-building and knowledge-sharing at the organizational and community levels for disaster preparedness and resilience initiatives and processes.
• Provide timely updates and advice on scientific and technical developments, trends, best practices, areas for improvement, and lessons learned.

Planning & Reporting

• Support the formulation of plans and technical reports.
• Provide feedback and quality assurance to DRC offices and teams in Venezuela on the application of the disaster preparedness and resilience approach with the aim of ensuring integration and scaling up of its approach.
• Participate in coordination meetings, providing technical support and relevant information.

Experience and technical competencies:

• 5 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, related to the management of programs and/or operations in Disaster Risk Reduction linked to the strengthening of institutional and community preparedness capacity and emergency response operations.
• 3 years of experience working as a project manager related to disaster risk management and/or preparedness in Latin-America.
• Experience in Developing humanitarian early action and/or early warning systems.
• Good understanding of the global humanitarian environment and in Latin America.
• Good ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in coordination with authorities and other humanitarian actors.
• Experience in narrative and financial reporting.
• Climate Change Adaptation knowledge is an advantage

Education:

• Advanced degree in Disaster Risk Reduction & Management, Urban Planning or another related field is highly preferred, OR
• Advanced degree in social sciences, social work, gender studies, international development / WASH / Rights Based approach / Community Empowerment or related fields, OR
• Advanced degree in Project Management

Languages:

• Fluency in English (speaking, writing, reading) is essential.
• Communication skills in Spanish is mandatory.

We offer:

• Designation of Duty Station: Caracas, Venezuela
• Nonfamily duty station and non-accompanied
• Start date: June 2024
• Contract Length: 12 months (renewable depending on funding and performance).
• Shared Guest House
• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for expatriate staff.

Application process: Applications must be submitted through this page by clicking Apply button. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four 2 pages) in English. No application sent by email will be accepted. For information about the position, please contact DRC Venezuela Country Director pablo.castro@drc.ngo or DRC Venezuela HR Team Leader asdrick.ruiz@drc.ngo

Closing date for applications: May 17th, 2024. Please note that the applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.