Emergency Officer at UNICEF

Description of assignment title: Emergency Officer

Assignment country: Nigeria

Expected start date: 10/03/2022

Sustainable Development Goal: 6. Clean water and sanitation

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Host entity: UNICEF

Type: Onsite

Duration: 24 months

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Kano

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF is responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. UNICEF Health program is designed to support national health priorities with focus on programs that will positively impact on the lives of the most disadvantaged children, such as the prevention and treatment of diseases through establishing community-level efforts and services to promote the health and well-being of children. In line with this strategy, UNICEF supports immunization and health prevention programs for childhood diseases and funding for sustainable health services. UNICEF programs have been guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), which affirms the right of all children to “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health.” UNICEF is committed to realizing the rights of all children to help them build a strong foundation and have the best chance of fulfilling their potential. We believe that ensuring a happy and healthy child begins before birth: from ensuring his/her mother has access to good neonatal care and delivering in a clean, safe environment to reaching adulthood as a responsible, healthy and informed parent to the next generation. This journey relies on a child having access to shelter, good nutrition, clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education.

Context

The scope of the job duties ranges from methodical data collection, analysis, and reporting, to effective monitoring and analysis of project implementation and management, with limited independent technical decisions on project implementation and evaluation which will impact on project efficiency and delivery. The nature of the job is mostly contributory technical work requiring substantive technical analysis and core knowledge of the specialized functional area. The work makes substantial contribution to the achievement of planned objectives of the project teams and the Section at the solid professional quality level. The supervisor guides and oversees the work process, progress and end-results delivery. The work also includes the review of appropriateness and completeness of financial and supply documentation as well as adherence to established allotments. Technical expertise is required to analyze data and background information in support of emergency situation analysis, risk analysis and updates. The job requires professional judgement to interpret and apply guidelines correctly. If necessary, recommends deviations from guidelines to programme/project officers, as appropriate.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kano, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Emergency Preparedness 1. Provides professional assistance in risk analysis to identify emergency-prone conditions/situations and contribute to early warning and timely emergency preparedness. 2. Participate in the formulation of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies. Gathers information on best practices in emergency situations for the preparation of contingency plans. Monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action. 3. Identifies formal and informal sources of information. Collects, interprets and analyses all available data on the evolving emergency situation and its implications to the emergency operation. Keeps the effective flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency measures. Identifies availability of resources in emergency prone areas 4. Supports in organizing and conducting staff training for the office’s capacity building in emergencies preparedness and response. Provides briefing, as required. Participates in other emergency training workshops in the region, and contributes to enhancement of the emergency preparedness and response capability of the office staff. Emergency Response 5. In the event of an emergency, promptly assists in implementing the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance. Immediately collects reliable information to verify the nature and extend of the emergency with staff, government officials, other UN agencies or local organizations and media. Follows up to ensure that the office is provided with effective telecommunications facility and staff security assistance in an emergency, as necessary. Contacts with all UNICEF staff and their dependants and visitors to ensure their safety and whereabouts, and promptly informs head of office, supervisor and other emergency staff of their status as required. 6. Assists supervisor with assessment of local emergency and security situation. Visits the location to conduct an initial rough assessment of the magnitude of the crisis and its implications for children, mothers and the community. Assists with the assessment of the validity of the emergency preparedness plan and ability of the office vis-à-vis the current crisis as well as immediate and additional needs. Provides input in and contributes toward determining priorities and an appropriate intervention by UNICEF. Coordinates with other partners to make a rapid assessment covering priority areas as defined by the Core Commitment for Children in Emergencies. Establishes contact with community groups, government, UN agencies, media and other partners to keep the country office of emergency situations. 7. Participates in Implementing the emergency preparedness and response plan as necessary. Assists in identifying urgent staffing requirements and redeploying country office staff. Follows up with the timely delivery of assistance and procurement of supplies, and monitors the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources. Identifies problems and constraints in project delivery. Sends daily situation reports to concerned parties. Emergency Project 8. Participates in the implementation of plans of action and workplans for emergency project. Undertakes field visits to emergency project areas, to assess local conditions and monitor project progress. Carries out project administration. Prepares inputs for appeals and updates related to emergencies. Coordinates with program sections staff and others to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding, including 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. 9. Collects and analyses lessons learnt from UNICEF’s emergency operations experience and contributes towards adoption of the best practices and standards for longer-term emergency interventions. Assists in identifying longer-term requirements of the emergency intervention/operations. 10. Works with other colleagues to make sure that disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the country office’s workplans. Assists in the preparation of sectoral input for the country programme documents, plan of action, annual work plans, and other related documents of the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response. Provides technical input in the preparation of the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme document, as required.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Additional eligibility criteria

This assignment is funded by the Government of France, therefore the following specific criteria will apply:

•  Application deadline: 18 February 2022 (note: this is one day prior to the advertisement end date). Candidates are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible, well in advance of the deadline.
•  Candidates may apply to a maximum of two assignments per advertisement and indicate the order of preference in the ‘Additional remarks’ section.
•  Only French nationals are eligible to apply. dBG89hH Dmlt1T

•  In addition to the requirements of the DOA, candidates must have obtained a Master II certificate.
•  Candidates must be between 27 and 35 years of age at the time of the application and have at least 3 years of professional experience.
•  Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews with the UN Host Entity.
•  The assignment is scheduled to start in October 2022, after the Journée d’Accueil organized by MEAE.

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Donor priorities

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Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in

•  Emergency readiness and preparedness, humanitarian and crisis management

Area(s) of expertise

Crisis and emergency response, Development programmes, Community development

Driving license

–

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Public Health Health Education Social Sciences Public Administration Law Public Health Nutrition International Relations Business administration or other related disciplines.

Competencies and values

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Client Orientation Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Creativity Ethics and Values Judgement and Decision-making Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Working in Teams

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

With approximately 184 million inhabitants, Nigeria accounts for 47% of West Africa’s population, and has one of the largest populations of youth in the world. It is a political federation that consists of 36 autonomous states, and a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse society. Kano state is one of the 36 states of Nigeria, located in the northern region of the country. Kano State is one of the most populous in Nigeria. Kano State borders Katsina State to the northwest, Jigawa State to the northeast, Bauchi State to the southeast, and Kaduna State to the southwest. The state’s capital and largest city is the city of Kano, the second most populous city in Nigeria after Lagos. Since independence, Kano State has developed a diverse economy, establishing itself as a center for industry, agriculture, and Islamic banking. The Hausa and Fulani make up a majority of Kano State’s population. The Hausa language is the dominant language in the state, as it is in most of Northern Nigeria. UN staff members are advised to stay only in assessed hotels. Assessed hotels list available with Agency Security Focal Points. The currency used in Nigeria is called Nigeria Naira (the currency code for Nairas is NGN, and the currency symbol is ₦).Cash is the main means of transaction, card transactions are also accepted at hotels and shops. You are encouraged to open local bank accounts.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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