Recrutement de 02 Emergency Specialist, NO-3, TA

Recrutement de 02 Emergency Specialist, NO-3, TA
Job no: 556330
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Duty Station: Gao
Level: NO-3
Location: Mali
Categories: Emergency, Operations
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, help

Organizational Context

UNICEF is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for the rights of every child. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition, protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the life cycle: pre-natal care for healthy births, clean water and sanitation, health care and education. UNICEF has spent nearly 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Working with and for children through adolescence and into adulthood requires a global presence whose goal is to produce results and monitor their effects. UNICEF also lobbies and partners with leaders, thinkers and policymakers to help all children realize their rights – especially the most disadvantaged.



Strategic office context:

Mali is facing multiple crises, including insecurity in the centre and north, with strong regional ramifications (especially in Liptako Gourma), inter-communal conflicts, socio-political instability, climate change, the protracted effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the crisis in Ukraine, affecting 12.9 million people. The humanitarian situation has deteriorated. 7.5 million people need humanitarian assistance, including 3.9 million women, 5.1 million children and 1.1 million people with disabilities. As a result of ongoing attacks against civilians, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has steadily increased and now totals 422,620 people, of which 54 per cent are female and 63 per cent are children. Hostilities often result in grave violations of child rights including killing, maiming, recruitment and use by armed groups, as well as gender-based violence. Across the country, 1.6 million children need protection. Attacks and threats by armed groups on education infrastructure, initially limited to the central and northern regions, have now expanded to the south of the country, affecting 1,766 schools, 500,000 children and 10,000 teachers across insecure regions. In the northern and central regions, more than 96 per cent of IDPs live in areas where access to water is below the national average. Mali also has one of the highest mortality rates due to unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in Africa.

Global acute malnutrition prevalence exceeds 10 per cent in several areas; more than 275,665 children under 5 years of age are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, and food insecurity affects 3.6 million people. The country faces recurrent disease outbreaks, including measles and polio. In Mali, 4.3 million people need access to basic health services. Increasing constraints on humanitarian access are a major concern, especially in areas lacking basic social services and infrastructure.

The northern regions, Gao, Kidal and Menaka are plunged into a severe crisis against a backdrop of various structural and conjunctural problems. These regions are characterized by structural vulnerability and fragility, exacerbated by insecurity, armed clashes and climate chocks. At the end of September, there were 3,844 people affected by the floods in the Gao region and 77 in the Kidal region. The DT M at the end of August counts 57,077 IDPs in GAO, 29,508 IDPs in Menaka and 6,062 IDPs in Kidal. Most of these displaced people have had multiple displacements. The humanitarian response is underway through humanitarian coordination in connection with the state partners. It needs to be consolidated for the strengthening of community resilience. The areas of Gao and Menaka continue to record influxes of displacement, which requires responsiveness and improved response times in the context of difficult humanitarian access.

The central regions of Mopti, Bandiagara, Douentza, Segou and San continue to be marked by a multifaceted crisis affecting people's livelihoods. Multiple attacks on villages and infrastructure, particularly schools, hostilities between armed actors, and natural disasters such as floods have led to new displacements of populations within regions. According to the displacement tracking matrix (DTM) of August 2022, there were 193,823 internally displaced persons in the regions of Mopti, Bandiagara, Douentza (an increase of 4467 compared to the previous month), and 42,382 in the regions of Segou and San (an increase of 6680 compared to the previous month). Humanitarian access remains a major challenge for the implementation of the response to populations in need because of multiple attacks, kidnappings and risks related to the presence of explosive devices. To address these issues, the humanitarian actors are working under the clusters’ umbrella and sectorial groups, under the leadership of the government, to improve coordination and synergies, and find solutions to the challenges encountered and set targets for responding appropriately to the humanitarian needs of the populations.

Considering the increasing humanitarian crisis and needs that the country continues to face including the humanitarian consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the wider geographical coverage of the new country programme into high-risk regions, to ensure the delivery of timely, efficient, and high-quality responses to crisis and to strengthen the emergency coordination mechanisms, there is a need to maintain a consistent Emergency unit staffing in Mopti and Gao field offices.

UNICEF, as the lead of the WASH, education and nutrition clusters and the child protection area of responsibility is ensuring an integrated and coordinated response while strengthening conflict-sensitive, gender-responsive and child-centred dimensions through its Gao and Mopti field of Offices.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job

Under the guidance of the Chief Field of office in close consultation with the emergency team and Bamako sections, the emergency specialist will ensure overall Emergency coordination and delivery of results per the regional emergency work plan and HAC, UNICEF’s CCCs, Humanitarian response plan (HRP), Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) with a focus on the centrality of Protection Strategy and humanitarian standards of child protection. The emergency specialist will provide support to UNICEF’s emergency preparedness and response operations, in analysis, planning, coordination, reporting and implementation to advance the survival and well-being of children and mothers and affected communities in emergency situations.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the UNICEF Chief of Field of office, in close consultation with the emergency section in Bamako and program specialists, the Emergency Specialist will be expected to perform the following functions:



Emergency Preparedness

Adopts adequate emergency preparedness measures through the development and updating of regional contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms, to ensure effective preparedness and response to specific emergencies.
Participates in the formulation and development of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies, and monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action, including financial resources. Ensures coordination of the management of emergency preparedness and response.
Provides technical advice related to emergency preparedness and response, including programme management-related issues. Provides advice to the office in the implementation of emergency preparedness measures in the field to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms in the country faced with impending emergencies.
Develops and maintains databases on regional information and ensures the flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency preparedness and response management. Identifies availability of resources in emergency-prone areas and establishes logistics plans to be implemented during an emergency operation, to ensure a timely and effective emergency response.
Plans, organizes and conducts training for the office’s staff capacity building in emergency preparedness and response. Assists in developing and conducting emergency training courses. Provides training and/or briefing, as required. Participates in other emergency training workshops in the region and builds up the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff in the field office as well as implementing partners.


Emergency Response

In the event of an emergency, takes prompt action to implement the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance. Immediately verifies the nature and extent of the emergency with staff, government officials, other UN agencies or local organizations and media.
Participates and assists with the assessment of local emergency and security situations affecting children and mothers in the locality, in conjunction with the Bamako Office.
Visits the location to conduct an initial rough assessment of the magnitude of the crisis and its implications for children and its impact on the community. Assesses the validity of the office preparedness plan and ability of the office vis-à-vis the current crisis as well as immediate and additional needs. Determines corporate priorities and an appropriate intervention (supply procurement, fund-raising and staff development) 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 abreast of emergency situations.
Applies the emergency preparedness and response plan as necessary and identifies urgent staffing requirements and communicates with Bamako office staff as required. Executes the timely delivery of assistance and procurement of supplies, and monitors the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources/inputs. Identifies problems and constraints to ensure effective project delivery. Certifies the disbursement of funds, monitors expenditures and submits financial status reports. Sets up a reporting system and sends daily situation reports to concerned parties.


Emergency Project

Actively participates in the implementation of plans of action and work plans for emergency projects. Implements and manages project activities. Undertakes field visits to emergency project areas, to assess local conditions and monitor project progress. Makes technical decisions on project administration (e.g., activates, requests for reprogramming allocation of emergency funds). Prepares inputs for appeals and updates related to emergencies. Works with program sections and senior management to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding, including annual or multi-annual humanitarian appeals and documents (e.g., pitch documents). Communicates and advocates for the situation and needs of children through local and international media, as appropriate.
Identifies longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions.
Identifies implementing/operational partners and establishes implementing arrangements. Ensures that UNICEF support is effectively provided to the government with respect to sectoral coordination within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the Core Commitment for Children.
Participates in all humanitarian and recovery-related forums and keeps management informed of all humanitarian developments in the country in terms of policies, strategy, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in partnership.
Promotes that disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the regional office’s work plans. Prepares sectoral input for the country programme documents if needed, plan of action, annual work plans, and all related documents of the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response. Contributes towards the preparation of the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document.


Key Results

Emergency preparedness is effectively arranged together with the establishment of contingency plans and early warning mechanisms.
Emergency preparedness and response plans address gender issues that may be expected to intensify during emergencies.
Emergency plans of action are developed, and compliance and coordination of all sectors with the plans are implemented.
Technical advice on emergencies and programme management related to the implementation of emergency preparedness measures are effectively provided.
Emergency preparedness and response, and a consistent flow of information on the humanitarian situation are effectively coordinated within the office.
Substantive improvements are made in the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff and implementing partners through the conduct of effective training activities.
Needs assessments are effectively conducted to determine priorities and appropriate intervention by UNICEF based on the local emergency situation affecting children, their families and communities.
Timely delivery of assistance and supplies is provided, urgent staffing requirements are identified, and the appropriate use of UNICEF resources is monitored for effective project delivery.
Inputs to Emergency appeals and project proposals are prepared.
Longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions are determined to build a regular operational and staffing structure.
Continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison are maintained with regional State Governments, UN agencies, and NGOs to support the special needs of children and women affected by emergency situations within the framework of the Interagency standing committee humanitarian cluster approach and based on the Core Commitments for Children in humanitarian action.
Management is kept informed of humanitarian developments in relevant policies, situation developments, potential threats and opportunities/issues in the region.
Emergency preparedness, response and resilience strategies are mainstreamed in the region’s work plans. Sectoral input is provided for all related documents for the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response, as well as for the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document


To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

EDUCATION

Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public health, nutrition, WASH, international relations, or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.



WORK EXPERIENCE

Five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national or regional level in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and administration.
At least, 2 years of Field work experience in complex settings and experience in emergency response management is required.
The context requires working flexibility and competency to adapt to multiple operational constraints in a highly volatile and unpredictable context.
In your cover letter, please specify the duty station you are applying for (Gao or Mopti)


LANGUAGES

Fluency in French and English is required
Knowledge of local languages is highly desirable.


TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

UNICEF policies and strategies to address national and international emergency issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
Knowledge of global humanitarian issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNICEF position and approaches.
Knowledge of UN humanitarian reform principles, and international humanitarian laws.
Knowledge of the principle of gender parity and equality.
The UNICEF mission statement and The Core Commitments for Children in Emergencies.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child; Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women.
UN security operations and guidelines.


For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values:

Care
Respect
Integrity
Trust
Accountability


Core Competencies:

Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
Works Collaboratively with others (2)
Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
Manages ambiguity and complexity


Functional Competencies :

Analyzing (2)
Deciding and Initiating Action (3)
Persuading and Influencing (3)
Applying Technical Expertise (3)
Planning and Organizing (2)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Please note Bamako is a Category D, non-Family duty station. The Rest and Recuperation cycle is 8 weeks.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to be advanced to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Advertised: 20 Oct 2022 Greenwich Standard Time
Deadline: 27 Oct 2022 Greenwich Standard Time