Programme Management Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses, and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action, and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians, and the science and technology community. This temporary position is located in the UNDRR Regional Office for Africa in Nairobi and reports to the Programme Management Officer (Risk Knowledge and Early Warning) under the overall authority of the Deputy Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for Africa.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Supports the implementation of the Africa Road Map for Improving the Availability, Access and Use of Disaster Risk Information for Early Warning and Early Action, including in the Context of Transboundary Risk Management, and facilitates and participates in the exchange of knowledge and experience and to the establishment of triangular cooperation mechanisms with international and global stakeholders active in the field of impact-based early warning system for early action and transboundary risk management and related scientific research activity, disaster risk reduction/disaster risk management authorities at international and global levels, as well as with other international organizations active in the field of disaster risk reduction / DRM. Assists in the development and review of the legal and institutional framework for the identification of roles and responsibilities of disaster risk reduction stakeholders from continental to the regional, sub-regional, national and sub-national levels. Participates in field missions, cooperates with external consultants, government officials, and other parties, drafts mission summaries, etc.
• Contributes to the identification of funding opportunities, preparation of proposals, development, implementation and monitoring of projects related to the Africa Road Map, aligned to the Programme of Action (PoA) for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Africa. Contributes to the preparation of budget plan and funding proposal providing technical inputs aimed at enhancing the UNDRR added value, and supports the recruitment of technical experts to boost the implementation of activities in beneficiary entities.
• Supports the design, development, and rolling out of training for the development, customization, and operational use of hydro-meteorological modelling for impact-based early warning systems, including by contributing to the installation and customization of the common open-source platform for the exchange, analysis, and redistribution of disaster risk reduction data and information, supporting the definition, testing, and endorsement of standard operating procedures for use of the platform, and, ensures the link-up of the relevant stakeholders into the continental network.
• Undertakes outreach activities, liaises with stakeholders to access infrastructure, software, and services needed to develop and deploy data/information products; promotes and supports disaster risk-informed decision-making processes; supports the organization and roll out of training workshops, seminars, etc., makes presentations on assigned topics/activities; assists in the development of training of trainers and training on the job for the design of contingency/emergency plans activated by risk scenarios forecasted in the early warning messages.
• Facilitates, in coordination with the Sendai Framework Monitoring Officer, the collection and management of inputs to support the monitoring of Target G of the Sendai Framework (related to availability and access to early warning systems and disaster risk information), performs data collection, and supports the development and implementation of databases, data analytics, modelling of hazard and risk scenario and other strategies that optimize the risk understanding for its multipurpose applications including, among others, for impact-based early warning systems for early/anticipatory actions and transboundary risk management.
• Maintains and strengthens regular contact with other implementing partners and beneficiaries, including, among others, the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), African Governments, disaster risk reduction stakeholders, technical-scientific partners, universities and research centres, ensuring timely dissemination of relevant information related to the programme implementation.
• Provides assistance in the organization and roll out of consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. Upon request from the Chief of the Office and of the Deputy Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for Africa, represents UNDRR at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on early warning systems for early action and transboundary risk management, makes presentations to groups on UNDRR activities and advocates issues of concern.
• Supports the development and roll out of awareness campaigns for the effective communication and use of early warning messages; contributes to the development of customized messages for the different end users, with a specific focus on disaster risk reduction/disaster risk management officers and the general public.
• Supports the development and implementation of coherent policy documents and drafts various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications. Provides inputs for the development of strategic papers, talking points, speeches, and presentations for the Chief and Deputy Chief of the Office as well as for senior management, related to project activities, outcomes, and policy making.
• May perform other duties as required.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, management, economics, physics, engineering, mathematics, environmental science, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management, administration or related area is required. Experience in the establishment and operationalization of impact-based early warning systems is required. Experience in facilitating partnerships among disaster risk reduction/disaster risk management institutions and academia is desirable. At least two (2) years of working experience in development and monitoring of work plans, procurement and financial reporting is desirable. Experience in the African region is desirable. Experience in hydro-meteorological monitoring and forecasting tools is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/244135?language=en