Emergency Specialist

The Emergency Preparedness Specialist will during 60 to 50% of his/her time support EPP 3.0 platform development as Product Owner. He/she will represent RAPS and be accountable for the backlog and for the fluid liaison with ICTD and development teams on a daily/hourly basis​.

During the remaining 40 to 50% of his/her time, the Emergency Preparedness Specialist will support the work of the preparedness unit in ensuring notably the effective implementation of technical assistance related to preparedness in ROs and COs. Spearheading capacity-building initiatives for governments in priority countries, focusing on government preparedness/DRR together with Program Group and ROs will also be a priority working direction for the incumbent of the position.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• 60/50 % time supporting EPP 3.0 platform development as Product Owner

Consultations:

• Continue engagement with the EPP super users in the Peer Reviewer Group (PrG): set up the PrG Teams channel; support EPP PM organizing one highly interactive working session every two months.
• Continue engagement with PG Humanitarian Action Focal Points of each sector and cross-sector thematic areas to finalize pre-identification of emergency response and preparedness activities by sector/hazard.
• Support the change management process and roll out process including communication/adoption plan operationalization, along with subsequent feedback inclusion and iteration with ICTD.

Technical content:

• Finalize development of remaining EPP 3.0 Features (Product Backlog Items in Azure DevOps platform) with ICTD Development Team via attending daily sprint meetings with Designer and Developers.
• Validate the completion of each Product Backlog Items
• Jointly with the ICTD lead, determine the tasks to be implemented by the development team each iteration.
• CO Preparedness Scoring: Support operationalization of the drafted Preparedness scoring mock-up and related formula for the EPP preparedness score, exploring different thresholds and weighting set-ups for each response capacity (HR/Supply/Partnership/Finance) scoring parameter, aligned with the Global Risk Tool developed by RAPS Risk Analysis Unit and aligning with ICTD Data integration/data modelling initiative.
• Define a package of preparedness support for each CO typology (e.g for UMIC/HICs, and protracted crises countries), for seasonal climate preparedness including a ‘bottom-up’ early warning component.

Coordination:

• Support coordination with Development Team and stakeholders as interim PO role for the EPP 3.0 project (user stories, sprints).
• Support alignment of new MPS Preparedness Procedures, EPP 3.0 and revised (HFSS-led) Emergency procedures.
• Support elaboration of working prototype testing/training plan

40/50% time supporting Preparedness Unit as Emergency Specialist on following tasks:

• Technical Assistance to Countries for preparedness planning and programme design
• Provide technical assistance on preparedness issues to EMOPS colleagues, other HQ divisions, ROs and COs, (remote and onsite) on preparedness actions and contingency planning for high-risk countries. work with HFSS Desks to review of and provision of feedback on risk analyses carried out by priority COs in their SitAn (within HQ engagement in Country Programme Development processes). Participate in emergency management team meetings and in meetings on risks as needed.
• EPP 3,0 piloting, roll out and planning. User & experts engagement for the development and improvement of EPP 3.0
• Develop and coordinate the implementation of plans for the piloting and roll out of the new EPP (3.0) in close coordination and collaboration with the EPP Project Manager and ROs. Gather learning and take corrective actions. Support the onboarding of offices and monitor progress. Develop/update EPP content (help instructions, templates, questions) or coordinate development with business owners, ensuring consistency in their inputs. Coordinate Community Engagement. Ensure frequent communication with users. Provide responses to technical questions. Gather and analyses feedback.

Simulation Exercises

• Design, develop, and oversee the implementation of emergency simulation exercises in selected priority country offices to test office preparedness and response capabilities and staff skills in areas like disaster management, and public health emergencies, among others.

Preparedness Planning

• Provide technical expertise and policy guidance on emergency preparedness and contingency planning to UNICEF headquarters, regional offices (ROs), and country offices (COs). This will include identifying preparedness actions and offering technical assistance and quality assurance on developing and updating contingency plans, ensuring alignment with UNICEF policies and best practices for emergency response.

Government capacity building on Preparedness/DRR

• Spearhead capacity-building initiatives for governments in priority countries, focusing on government preparedness/DRR together with PG and ROs. This includes conducting needs assessments to identify knowledge gaps and designing and delivering training programs on key government prep/DRR themes, such as risk and hazard assessment and mapping, early warning systems, whole of society approach, and disaster preparedness and response plans and strategies including mitigation approaches.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, anthropology, sociology, social sciences, international relations, engineering or related field.
• First level university degree with relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• Five years progressively responsible professional experience including in field locations.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in English is required.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/577290