Emergency and Disaster Risk Reduction Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF in Turkey works to protect the rights of children and adolescents in Turkey since 1951. UNICEF’s programme in Turkey focuses on the needs of the most vulnerable children in the areas of education, child protection, health care, social policy, adolescents and youth, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Context

The countries in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) are prone to multiple risks including conflict, and earthquakes and the climate projections show increased risks of floods, drought, heatwaves in the years to come. In addition, these countries are also migrant routes to Europe, with thousands of children (accompanied, unaccompanied and separated) making their ways to Europe. UNICEF is committed to build resilient systems of the countries in ECA region, promoting disaster risk reduction and enhancing preparedness and response capacities through technical support, capacity building, setting standards based on International Humanitarian Law in line with Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) and supporting the implementation of Sendai Framework for DRR.
In order to fulfill its commitments on DRR and Humanitarian Action agenda, UNICEF ECARO emergency preparedness and DRR strategy focuses three main pillars: 1) Reinforcing UNICEF’s internal capacities related to global accountabilities for preparedness and humanitarian action, to ensure adequate preparedness measures are in place; 2) Strengthening systems for emergency response, preparedness and disaster risk reduction through enhanced engagement with Disaster Management Authorities and relevant line Ministries and provision of technical support, capacity building, risk assessment and support to the development of risk informed plans; 3) Leveraging regional and/or strengthening National, Regional and Sub-Regional systems, structures and entities to enhance child centered emergency preparedness at scale.
The overall purpose of the assignment is to support the emergency section in implementing the regional preparedness and DRR strategy.

Task description

Under the close supervision and instructions of the supervisor and ECARO regional emergency section, provides professional support and effective teamwork for the implementation of emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction strategy contributing to the resilient systems. The task includes:
• Support to enhance emergency preparedness and response capacities of regional and country offices:
– Identifying formal and information sources of information, collect, interpret and analyze all available data on the evolving emergency situation and its implications to the operation. Maintain effective flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency preparedness actions.
– Assist in reviewing the quality of existing emergency preparedness plans of countries and regional office, support in developing/updating preparedness plans, keeping track of timelines for actions and liaise with relevant sections to support the implementation of country and regional preparedness plans.
– Assist with stock taking of preparedness interventions at country level to facilitate sub-regional preparedness and response mechanism in coordination with relevant regional sections including supply and logistics, partnerships, human resources; and support research, documentation and emergency coordination, including posting emergency documents and maintaining emergency share point site.
• Support to enhance capacity building initiatives on emergency preparedness and response with regional and country level partners through trainings, workshops and learning sessions:
– Support to collaborate with UNICEF’s regional sections, relevant headquarter divisions and country offices to organize and facilitate emergency preparedness and response trainings and workshops. This includes coordinating logistics, facilitate to engage with subject matter expert, support to develop session outlines, contextualized/relevant training packages, and support to organize simulations.
– Support to collaborate with external partners at the regional level to organize child sensitive emergency preparedness and response session during regional events. This includes developing resources, documenting good practices to advocate and ensure children’s needs are prioritized during emergencies, facilitate coordination with subject matter experts to design and deliver sessions as required.
– Support to organize learning sessions at regional/sub-regional context on emergency preparedness and response and disaster risk reduction. This includes coordinating with sectoral colleagues, identifying thematic sessions on emergency preparedness/response and DRR interventions.
• Support to organize and document key regional/sub-regional child centered disaster risk reduction events and advocacy:
– Support to collaborate with regional and national partners to organize the Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSSF), International Day on Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) and European Forum on DRR (EFDRR) events ensuring advocacy on child centered DRR and preparedness agenda in the event. This includes coordinate logistics, participant invitations, facilitate to engage subject matter experts to deliver relevant training sessions before and during the events.
– Assist with the organization of the child and youth DRR/CCA surveys, focus group discussions, background study on CSSF and documentation of the studies. This includes liaising with country offices (COs) for outreach and quality assurance, data compiling and visual presentation.
– Support tailored programmatic and advocacy interventions for children and adolescents to raise awareness and demand for DRR and climate action. This includes assisting the communication and adolescent development and participation (ADAP) teams in advocacy events and messaging during the CSSF, IDDRR and EFDRR events.
– Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/share information on implementation of events and results, provide solutions on related programme implementation and alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decisions.
• Support to develop, adapt and disseminate key regional documents and workshop/training reports:
– Assist in the development, adaptation of the key regional and subregional advocacy documents and event/workshop reports supporting child responsive and resilient development in the Europe and Central Asia region.
– Support the development of advocacy briefs on child centered disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response efforts to sensitize wider group of stakeholders in the regional and national events.
– Assist in dissemination of the resources mobilizing various networks internally and externally.
• Performs other duties as required.