Date of issue:03-03-2021
Closing date (Geneva time zone):17-03-2021
Duty station: Kuala Lumpur
Country: MALAYSIA
Duty station status: Family Duty Station
Accompanied status: Accompanied
Duration:24 months
Category of Staff: Delegate
Grade: F2
Vacancy No: IFRC04922
Background
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 192 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC Asia Pacific regional office (APRO), guided by the Secretariat strategies priorities and enabling actions that build on the vision of strategy 2030. The DCC (PRR) unit ensures overall guidance and support to the implementation of emergency plans of action (EPOA), the regional disaster risk management strategy 2021 – 2025 and leads the co-ordination of IFRC support to disaster and crisis operations. The Head has a technical reporting line to the Director of DCC (PRR) in HQ Geneva. The other key components of the DCC (PRR) unit have technical lines to the respective units in Geneva. The AP DCC (PRR) unit is responsible for coordination the implementation of these strategic priorities: Climate and environmental crises, evolving crises and disaster sand migration and identity, as well as the following enabling actions: Engaging humanitarian actions and promote digital transformation in all DM, DRR and climate activities (E1), promote an IFRC wide approach in all preparedness, response and recovery activities and look for innovative ways of financing the future (E2) and build DM, DRR and climate action capacities of the NS to make them trusted partners of their national governments, marked by strong local actions, a well distributed network membership, supported by storing network of trained volunteers (E3). In alignment to global policies and standards the Head and the unit team will participate in the definition of common gender and diversity indicators for Asia Pacific NS and lead the roll-out of the IFRC Minimum Standard Commitments to Gender and Diversity in Emergency Programming. The position is located in the Asia Pacific regional office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; reports directly to the Deputy Regional Director, and is part of the Asia Pacific Regional Senior Management Team. The Head of Disasters, Climate and Crises: will provide leadership, technical support and quality assurance, with the support of National Societies, other IFRC units and Movement members, in the development and strengthening of a holistic and integrated approach to disaster and crisis risk management supporting resilience, and addressing climate change, migration, protection, gender and inclusion, disaster management institutional preparedness, international disaster law, and humanitarian diplomacy efforts.
Job Purpose
The DCC (PRR) focuses on all components of disaster risk management, as well as all phases of disaster and crisis response. DCC (PRR) ensures quality, relevant, and effective support to NS to improve the services they are providing to communities and people affected by disasters and crises and in support of resilience-building processes for communities and especially of disadvantaged groups. This covers actions reaching all levels of intervention – from local to global - in a way that fosters effective integration of the five strategic priorities and three enablers of the Secretariat’s Agenda for Renewal. This position will also focus on building the national societies’ capacity and provide timely assistance to ensure that NS can consistently deliver – through their volunteers and staff, relevant country-wide and peer to peer services to vulnerable communities, sustained for as long as necessary. DCC (PRR) delivers services to different stakeholders, at different levels. The Head of DCC (PRR) and the team, work with and through CO and CCST, and in collaboration with the other technical units to support NS, providing technical support and assisting in the implementation of their operations and programmes.
In coordination with the AP Policy, Strategy, Knowledge (PSK) Coordinator, the position ensures technical support to guide NS’ and IFRC's work on mainstreaming globally agreed minimum standards in gender and diversity sensitivity and equality initiatives, non-discrimination and violence prevention in all work, including disaster preparedness, response and recovery programs.
Under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Director, the Head of DCC (PRR) leads the provision of quality technical and management support to COs and CCSTs in coordination, implementation, risk mapping, analysis, and review, as well as NS capacity development. The Head of DCC (PRR) ensures cooperation with NS who are not from AP, and who are supporting operations and programmes in AP, the ICRC, as well as other organisations and institutions as relevant (this includes UN-agencies, civil society organisations, foundations, businesses, universities).
The Head of DCC (PRR) build relation and partnership with like-minded organizations, consortia, donor agencies, academia, and media across the region to ensure adequate positing of IFRC DM, DRR, Resilience building and climate action capacities in the region. Moreover, this position will closely work with different UN organizations, disaster resilience networks and IFRC reference centres to position IFRC and its member organizations as a preferred partner for emergencies and crises response, recovery, preparedness, and resilience building in Asia Pacific. This position will also advance the agenda of humanitarian diplomacy and support significantly in resource mobilization in close collaboration with PRD department of Asia Pacific.
The full job description for this position can be found here.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The Head of Disasters, Climate and Crises updates and implements the Disasters, Climate and Crises strategy and plan for the Asia Pacific region, aligned to the global Federation-wide strategy, and regional strategies including the commitments of the Manila call for action. The specific duties and responsibilities include:
A. Provide substantive strategic direction and leadership:
- Provide regional leadership on issues related to Disaster Risk Management, Climate action, Migration and displacement, and Resilience, and oversee coordination and partnerships with relevant stakeholder s within and outside the RC/RC Movement.
- Promote the development of IFRC policy and positions regarding the Strategic priorities and enablers of the IFRC Secretariat Agenda for Renewal, as well as other comprehensive risk management issues, with a view to expanding technical advice and the advocacy agenda.
- Support in defining institutional policy and positions with regard to Red Cross areas of expertise in comprehensive disaster risk management and establishing a strategic direction that is aligned with the National Societies.
- Ensure coherence and a clearly articulated integration between relevant policies, strategies, frameworks, and tools related to Disaster Risk Management, Climate action, Migration and displacement, and Resilience.
B. Crises and Emergency Operations Systems:
- Ensure that IFRC DM system provides adequate support to National Societies in managing the Disaster and Crises in Asia Pacific.
- Lead the operationalization of the five priority areas identified for “Disaster and Crises Management Effectiveness” in Asia Pacific (IFRC office readiness and continuity plans, information management in disaster response and technology development, timely and quality assessments of emergency plans of action (EPOA), DM SOPs updates, DM coordination)
- Enhance the regional response and recovery capacity of NS in AP, and along the strategic axis of the AP DRM Strategy.
- Provide strategic and technical guidance to NS, country, and cluster delegations in the for the enhancement the institutional DM capacity.
- Ensure compliance in the promotion, implementation and operationalization of Principles and Rules of RCRC for Humanitarian Assistance in AP.
- Develop AP Civil and Military Relations in humanitarian assistance and disaster response in close coordination with NS and the ICRC.
- Provide strategic and technical support to the senior management team and country, and cluster delegations in the implementation of the CoD Resolution related to the strengthening movement coordination and cooperation process (SMCC2).
- Consolidate and promote enhancement of surge capacity system in AP in line with the global surge and response tools.
- Validate EPOA and budgets and coordinate the contributions of the other units in the matrix for DREF and EA to meet the quality criteria and regional and global performance standards.
- Ensure disaster and crisis response operations are appropriate and aligned with IFRC guidelines and policies (SPHERE, Code of Conduct, Seville agreement, etc.).
- Present ready to be signed DREF and EAl requests to the Director and Deputy Director AP and to Geneva.
Ensure proper information management mechanisms for disaster and crisis operations and publish regular operational updates.
Validate and carry out requests for deployment of IFRC disaster response tools (RDRT, RRU, HEOP, FACT, ERU, etc.) in support of NS disaster management operations.
Monitor that outcomes of disaster response operations are achieved in a timely fashion, within budgets and maintaining the minimum ratios of relief, early recovery, and development goals.
Identify and promote innovative approaches of financing, preparedness and quick response to emergencies and crises, including but restricted to Forecast Based Financing, Climate fund, NS disaster ad calamity funds etc.
Promote coordination of DM actions with partner NS, UN, regional systems such ASEAN and AHA Centre, Regional Consultative Groups for Civil and Military Coordination and other organizations in order to ensure adequate preparedness and appropriate, efficient and timely disaster response and early recovery. In coordination with IFRC representatives and focal points for such organizations.**
C. Programmes and operations quality assurance and support:
- Provide strategic and technical support and guidance to regional coordinators, based in the DCC (PRR) unit (in APRO or out posted to other offices), of DRR, Livelihoods, Cash Transfer Development, Shelter and Settlements, CEA, Disaster Law and Migration, in the preparedness of country-based planning as they pertain to relevant programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
- Ensure that they are involved in developing relevant strategies and provide support to country and cluster delegations in the provision of support to NS in these thematic areas.
- Work with country and cluster delegations coordinators, and Geneva-based technical staff and other APRO units in carrying out relevant research, sharing of knowledge, lessons learned and best practices with the aim to increase programming quality and impact.
- Ensure the integration of lessons learned and contribute to the development of tools and processes within the DCC (PRR) modus operandi. This process should be properly documented, and evidence should be available.
- Ensure that early recovery actions are linked to longer-term recovery while respecting and promoting environmental standards and local contexts.
- Provide technical support and guidance to the AP regional reference center for disaster resilience (APDRC) hosted by the Korean RC, and to collaborate with other reference centers, networks and resource centers as applicable.
D. Institutional Preparedness and readiness
- Ensure that National Society disaster and contingency plans and the National Intervention Teams are well linked to regional tools as part of the overall regional response system and integrated into the preparedness for an effective response program (PER)
- Promote that Disasters, Climate and Crises unit facilitates training access, tools, and opportunities, in close collaboration with Reference Centers, to strengthen NS Institutional preparedness both at national and regional level.
- Ensure that NS and country cluster receive specific orientation, training, tools and technical advice on integral disaster and crisis risk management according to key external trends.
- Increase the institutional knowledge of the Federation Disaster Risk Management related policies, code of conduct, principles and rules, guidelines, and other quality standards tools, such as SPHERE, to assist national societies in the development of their capacity and their accountability to beneficiaries.
Education
Required
- Degree/ Post graduate qualification in a relevant field and extensive professional experience in disaster management activities
- Basic Training Course/IMPACT training: successful completion and selection
- Advanced training or extensive professional experience in disaster management/relief/logistics
Preferred
- Post graduate degree in business management, disaster management, humanitarian law, public health etc.
Experience
Required
- 10 years of experience of working for a humanitarian organization in disaster management and development.
- 10 years of experience analyzing, planning, and managing development programs and resources
- 10 years of experience of managing and supporting staff
- 10 years’ experience of working in the field, supporting large scale and complex relief and recovery operations, and delivering results
- Experience of managing partners, donors and organizational leadership and government counterparts
Preferred
- 10 years of experience in building capacity of national society, NGO, civil society organization etc. on disaster management, resilience building, development activities etc.
- Experience of working with Red Cross/Red Crescent
Knowledge, skills and languages
Required
- Thorough knowledge of technical, managerial, logistical and other aspects of preparedness, relief and recovery programming for people affected by disasters and other emergencies
- Demonstrated experience in disaster preparedness, relief and recovery, including in sectors relevant to the IFRC
- Self-supported in computing systems
- Demonstrated success in project/program planning, budgeting, management, reporting and evaluation
- Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge and new approaches to engaging partners.
- Knowledge of key donor agencies /partner priorities and practices and demonstrated ability in mobilizing resources for both emergencies and developmental works.
- Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively in managing large-scale disaster operations.
- Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality
- Ability to work in a cross-functional environment
- Available to travel to other countries
- Political and cultural sensitivity
- Fluently spoken and written English
Preferred
- Knowledge and experience of working with Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies and key stakeholders from high-income countries.
- Experienced in remote management of people and team especially in highly demanding and timebound environment.
- Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) or one or more Asian language
VALUES: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making; National Societies and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust
MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES: Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development; Strategic Orientation
FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Building Alliances; Leadership; Empowering Others
The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.
How to apply:
Please apply through IFRC vacancy website, or click Job Description - IFRC