Emergency Manager, P-4, Temporary Appointment (364 days), # 00129430, Shire, Ethiopia (For Non-Ethiopian Nationals Only)

Purpose Under the guidance Chief of Field Office, the Emergency Manager will establish/update, implement, and monitor the humanitarian response in Shire and surrounding areas of responsibility from the Shire sub-office in Tigray. The Emergency Manager will be responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency interventions to ensure the survival and well-being of children and mothers, and the affected communities in an emergency.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a champion

Ethiopia is situated in the Horn of Africa and is the second most populous country on the continent with an estimated population of 115 million. It borders six African countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, and covers 1,104,300 square kilometers. Approximately 85 percent of the population lives in rural areas. Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures with Middle Eastern and African cultures evident in the religious, ethnic, and language composition of its people.

Over the past two years, children and their families across Ethiopia faced multiple and complex emergencies, such as the conflict in the northern Ethiopia and the drought, which resulted in millions of people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. UNICEF has programmes in Child Protection, WASH, Health, Nutrition, Social Policy, and Education and serves over 15 million children in Ethiopia. Join UNICEF Ethiopia to contribute to improving the lives of children and women.

How can you make a difference?

Roles and responsibilities: 

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primary, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

1. Development and Management of Emergency, Nexus and Recovery Programming

Ensuring UNICEF’s nexus programming reaches the most vulnerable children in priority Woredas across the Northwest, West and Central Zones that have been impacted by the crisis including a) leading the transition to and roll out of recovery programming in relevant areas and b) leading the on-going emergency preparedness and response by:

1. Leadership and guidance is provided to ensure UNICEF support to the Durable Solutions Strategy (returns, relocation, and local integration), is actualized in AoR.
2. UNICEF participates in needs assessments in collaboration with government partners and local NGOs to identify the most critical needs of children in priority Woredas.
3. Design and develop high-quality, evidence-based programmes that address the specific vulnerabilities and needs of children in these areas.
4. Oversee the implementation of programmes, ensuring adherence to UNICEF’s humanitarian programming principles and best practices.
5. Lead a team of specialists and officers to deliver effective programme interventions across diverse sectors, including nutrition, child protection, education, health, WASH, and social protection.
6. Foster strong partnerships with local NGOs and government counterparts to ensure programmes are context-specific, conflict sensitive and culturally appropriate.
7. Monitor and evaluate programme effectiveness, utilizing data to demonstrate impact and identify areas for improvement
8. Champion a culture of continuous improvement, actively seeking innovative approaches to scale up successful programmes and maximize reach.
9. Play a key role in assuring high visibility for UNICEF programmes to support securing funding and resources to sustain and expand high-quality programmes.
10. Oversee all aspects of warehouse operations in Shire through the Ethiopian Red Cross (ERCS) MoU, including efficient receipt, storage, and distribution of essential supplies for UNICEF programmes.
11. Lead the transition to and roll out of UNICEF recovery programmes in relevant areas in the Western, Northwestern and Central Zones.

2. Emergency Preparedness

1. Adopts adequate emergency preparedness measures through the development and updating of country contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms, to ensure effective preparedness and response to specific emergencies.
2. Participates in the formulation and development of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies, monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action, including financial resources. Ensures coordination of the management of emergency preparedness and response.
3. Provides technical advice related to emergency preparedness and response, including on programme management related issues. Provides advice to the country office in the implementation of emergency preparedness measures in the field to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms in the country faced with impending emergencies.
4. Develops and maintains databases on country/regional information and ensure the flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency preparedness and response management. Identifies availability of resources in emergency prone areas and establish logistics plans to be implemented during an emergency operation, to ensure a timely and effective emergency response.
5. Plans, organizes, and conducts training for the office’s staff capacity building in emergencies preparedness and response. Assists in developing and conducting emergency training courses. Provides training and/or briefing, as required. Participates in other emergency training workshops in the region and builds up the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff as well as implementing partners.

3. Emergency Response

1. In the event of an emergency, takes prompt action as a member of the Emergency Response Team which is deployed immediately to establish UNICEF’s presence and implement the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance. Immediately verifies the nature and extend of the emergency with staff, government officials, other UN agencies or local organizations and media.  Ensures that the office is provided with effective telecommunications facility and staff security assistance in an emergency, as necessary. In coordination with the programme and operations groups, establishes contact with all UNICEF staff, their dependants, and visitors to ensure their safety and whereabouts, and informs OPSCEN and the Regional Director of their status.
2. Participates and assists with assessment of local emergency and security situation affecting children and mothers in the locality, in conjunction with the Regional Office, the HQ Divisions, and field staff.  Visits the location to conduct an initial rough assessment of the magnitude of the crisis and its implications for children and its impact on the community. Assesses the validity of the office preparedness plan and ability of the office vis-à-vis the current crisis as well as immediate and additional needs. Determines corporate priorities and an appropriate intervention (supply procurement, fund-raising, and staff development) by UNICEF. Coordinates with other partners to make a rapid assessment covering priority areas as defined by the CCCs. Establishes contact with community groups, government, UN agencies, media, and other partners to keep abreast of emergency situations. 
3. Applies the emergency preparedness and response plan as necessary and identifies urgent staffing requirements and redeploys country office staff as required. Executes the timely delivery of assistance and procurement of supplies, monitors the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources/inputs. Identifies problems and constraints to ensure effective project delivery. Certifies the disbursement of funds, monitors expenditures and submits financial status reports. Sets up a reporting system and sends daily situation reports to concerned parties.

4. Emergency Planning

1. Participates in the implementation of plans of action and workplans for emergency projects. Implements and manages project activities. Undertakes field visits to emergency project areas, to assess local conditions and monitor project progress. Makes technical decisions on project administration (e.g., activates, requests or reprogrammes allocation of emergency funds). Prepares inputs for appeals and updates related to emergencies. Works with programme sections and senior management to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding, including annual or multi-annual humanitarian appeals and documents (e.g., pitch documents). Communicates and advocates on the situation and needs of children through local and international media, as appropriate.
2. Identifies longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions. Proposes a more regular operational and staffing structure.
3. Maintains continuous, effective, and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors, and allies to appeal for aid for children and women with special needs resulting from the emergency requiring an effective emergency response in all sectors. Identifies implementing/operational partners and establishes implementing arrangements. Ensures that the UNICEF support is effectively provided to the government with respect to sectoral coordination within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the CCCs.
4. Participates in all humanitarian and recovery related forum and keeps management informed of all humanitarian developments in the region in terms of policies, strategy, situation developments, potential threats, and opportunities/issues in partnership.
5. Promotes that disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response strategies are mainstreamed in the sub-office workplans. Prepares sectoral input for the country programme documents, plan of action, annual work plans, and all related documents of the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response. Contributes towards the preparation of the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:   TOR for Emergency Manager P-4 Temporary Appointment Shire Tigray.docx

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

• Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.

• Work Experience: At least eight years of professional work experience at international levels in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration. Specialized training/experience in resilience/nexus /durable solutions and public health emergencies’ programme management highly desirable.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and a second UN language; Local working language of the duty station an asset.

Desirables:

• Knowledge of development and humanitarian issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation.
• Prior experience in a similar role is highly desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal, internal, and external communication, coordination capabilities. and excellent team building and leading, and programme management skills.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and persons with disability are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.