Expert in Civil Protection Volunteerism IPA CARE Programme

Introduction

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) is looking for an expert in Civil Protection Volunteerism focusing on strengthening volunteer management of civil protection authorities. The expert will be working for IPA CARE Programme, which is an EU funded capacity development Programme running from March 2023 to February 2029 with focus on Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Türkiye. The overall objective of the Programme is to contribute to increased resilience in this region, in particular to earthquakes and health emergencies. Specific objectives include:(1.) enhanced institutional and legal frameworks and capacities on disaster risk reduction related in particular to earthquakes and health emergencies; (2.) increased prevention, preparedness and response capabilities at regional, cross-border and local levels and (3.) increased participation in and cooperation with the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), including regional cross-border cooperation. IPA CARE Programme is divided into nine work packages, corresponding to the three main objectives. The expert will be responsible for work package 1.3. Civil protection Volunteerism, which falls under the first Programme objective. The programme is implemented by a consortium of civil protection authorities and research institutes where MSB serves as the Coordinator.

*The designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

Introduction swedish

Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap (MBS) söker en expert i volontärarbete inom civilskyddssektorn med fokus på att stärka volontärverksamheten inom civilskyddsmyndigheter. Experten kommer att arbete inom IPA CARE Programme, ett EU-finansierat kapacitetsutvecklingsprogram (2023-29) vars målgruppsländer omfattar Albanien, Bosnien-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Nordmakedonien, Serbien och Turkiet. Programmet avser att stärka målgruppsländernas förmåga att förebygga risker för jordbävningar och hälsokriser samt stärka deras beredskap och operativa förmåga med EU:s civilskyddsmekanism (UCPM). Programmets huvudmål är att: (1) stärka de juridiska och institutionella ramverken inom katastrofriskhantering, med fokus på jordbävningar och hälsokriser, (2) bygga kapacitet inom förebyggande, beredskap inför och insatser vid jordbävningar och hälsorelaterade kriser och (3) stärka beredskapen och den operativa förmågan att agera regionalt, över gränser och på lokal nivå liksom ge och ta emot stöd inom ramen för EU:s civilskyddsmekanism UCPM. Programmet omfattar nio arbetspakets som svarar mot de tre projektmålen. Experten kommer att ansvara för arbetspaket 1.3. ’Civil Protection Volunteerism’, som faller under det första projektmålet. Programmet implementeras av ett konsortium av olika civilskyddsmyndigheter och forskningsinstitutet där MSB är koordinator.

Duties

The expert in Civil Protection Volunteerism works under the direct supervision of the IPA CARE Team Leader.

Tasks include:
• Support cooperation and coordination between civil protection authorities and volunteer-based organisations.
• Reporting on the work through activity reports per partner and material for external communication.
• Plan, conduct, report and develop capacity development activities based on the aims, objectives and outputs of Work Package (WP) 1.3 Civil Protection Volunteerism, including the following focus areas:
1) Review of current legislations and frameworks in each partner country in order to highlight mandates between government actors in civil protection and volunteer-based organisations;
2) developing best practices for creating or improving Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
3) support already existing networks for civil protection stakeholders for authorities, volunteer organisations and other stakeholders engaged in civil protection volunteerism in order to share ideas, initiatives and strengthen coordination.

The expert will, within this contract period, focus on the first work area – review of current legislations and frameworks – with the possibility to extend the contract to continue with the following activity areas (2,3).

Qualifications

Experience

• Proven knowledge of cooperation between different authorities and volunteer-based organisations in an international context.
• Ability of self-managing, with a result driven attitude, including reporting on conducted activities and achieved results.
• Experience in the development and conduction of exercises or workshops in the field of work, with at least 2 years’ experience of this work in an international context.
• Structured approach to addressing tasks, strong administrative skills and working in an organised way.
• Experience of working with international missions and a multi-cultural environment with high level participation.
• Experience of working with civil society organizations involved in Civil Protection initiatives in Western Balkan and Türkiye is an advantage.
• Experience of working within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is an advantage.

Education

University degree (Bachelor minimum), preferably in political science, law, international relations, disaster risk management or other relevant area.

Languages

Proficiency written and spoken English. Knowledge of languages of the concerned region is an advantage.

Other requirements

We are looking for persons with a strong commitment towards humanitarian relief and disaster operations. It is of utmost priority that you understand, respect and act in the spirit of the mandate and core values of the MSB. Prior to employment a medical examination must be carried out and the results must be approved by the MSB. Certain diseases and conditions can preclude international deployment. If you have any questions regarding the MSB’s health requirements, please contact
our medical coordinators, medical.coordinator@msb.se
You must inform your regular employer of your potential assignment with the MSB. MSB operations are based on the needs of populations affected by crisis, and human equality. Through my behaviour and work as MSB field staff, I actively strive to prevent discrimination and harassment based on sex, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, political opinion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

Profile

It is of utmost priority that the candidate understands, respects and acts in the spirit of the mandate and core values of the EU and MSB. The candidate must possess a high level of professional and personal maturity, especially in relation to the conflict sensitivity in the region. An ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the IPA CARE Team Leader, Programme management, partner organisations, experts as well as external partners is desired.
The candidate enjoys working in a multi-cultural environment, demonstrates initiative, is flexible, solution-oriented and feels comfortable working in a high-pace working environment. Personal characteristics will be of value for the position. Social qualities such as responsive communication and interpersonal skills are considered an asset for this position, as well as cultural, gender and conflict sensitivity.

Contractual conditions

The working period is of 12 months: September/October 2024 – August/September 2025 (starting date can be discussed). Possibility for extension of the contract.
This is a fixed-term position during the period of 12 months with an estimated working period of 55 days. The work load will fluctuate monthly, with an average of approximately 4 working days per month, not exceeding a total of 55 working days. The work will be conducted from Sweden (remotely from an agreed workplace provided by the employee) and on site in the programme partner countries of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye.

How to apply:
If you wish to apply for to this position, please create an account on MyPages. Please note that the information you provide on MyPages will form the basis for your CV. When you have created your account and registered your details on MyPages, you submit your application by clicking on the “Apply” button in the add and then follow the specified steps. If you already have an account on MyPages you can go directly to the apply button. For support regarding MyPages, please contact mypages@msb.se.
As an applicant, it is your responsibility to document your skills in a way that allows an objective and qualitative assessment. As a government agency we are subject to the principle of public access to official records. This means that if someone requests copies of application documents, we are obliged to disclose them.
Please note that your application needs to be in English.

If you have any questions, please contact HR Officer: Amanda Blixt phone +46 10-240 5363 or e-mail: amanda.blixt@msb.se

Welcome with your application!

Application deadline

2024-08-19

Point of contact

Daniel Thunberg
Daniel.Thunberg@msb.se
+46102405568