Policy and Strategy Development

Save The Children

International Programs

role profile

JOB TITLE: Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Adviser
TEAM/PROGRAMME: MEE Humanitarian Team / LOCATION: Amman, Jordan, with at least 50% travel around the MEE region
GRADE: 3 / CONTRACT LENGTH: 12 months
CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3. The responsibilities of this post may require the post holder to have regular contact with children and young people.
ROLE PURPOSE:
The role holder will support Country Offices in embedding DRR / CCA approaches and thinking within country strategic and programme planning, as well as supporting the development and implementation of current and future DRR & CCA projects in the region. The adviser will also support the further development and rollout of new conflict-sensitive and community-based risk reduction approaches across the region and work to increase the uptake and incidence of children’s and community participation in risk reduction and resilience work in the MEE.
The role holder will also be responsible for facilitating the implementation of child-centred risk reduction and resilience activities throughout the region, also engaging in key advocacy initiatives, building networks and representing the organization to strategic regional partners.
SCOPE OF ROLE
Reports to: Regional Humanitarian Director - MEE
Dimension: Save the Children (SC) in the Middle East and Eurasia (MEE) is rolling out new approaches to risk reduction and resilience, based on our years of experience of working in MEE and in line with Save the Children International’s (SCI) global strategy for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA).
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Budget Responsibilities: Depending on projects.
Working relationships: This is a complex and multi-faceted role working with multiple stakeholders including donors, partner agencies, UN and Government. Close coordination and liaison with country offices, regional and international structures (internal and external).
Employees reporting to this position: None
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Policy and strategy development

·  Lead regional level strategy development and support SC at the regional and country level in developing, adapting and maintaining current strategy and program planning concerning DRR/CCA and resilience building more generally.
·  Contribute to and inform global policy and strategy development through the DRR / CCA working group through sharing and use of relevant experienced from MEE region, with regional conflict-related DRR/CCA specialization a focus.

Programme development, support and monitoring

·  Support programme development for DRR/CCA, risk reduction and resilience programmes, and the incorporation of risk reduction and resilience into sector-specific and integrated programme proposals across the region
·  Increase SCI’s reach and impact in the region, especially in how to do DRR in conflict affected as well as in urban settings
·  Develop and roll out phase two of a pilot DRR programme started with the League of Arab States, selecting three countries to pilot the rollout of Guidelines for ensuring child-centred DRR in LAS.
·  Identify funding opportunities and key donors in the region for risk reduction, adaptation and resilience programmes
·  Provide technical advice to programme design and implementation throughout the region and support learning and reflection on risk reduction and resilience impacts.
·  Coordinate the regional working group of SCI focal points for disaster risk reduction and adaptation on their work to roll out the SCI approach to resilience, and learning activities concerning methodologies, monitoring and more; including regular face-to-face and online meetings
·  As the largest humanitarian response in the region, support the countries affected by the Syria crisis in its mainstreaming and learning activities on DRR and resilience, especially in conflict and displacement settings.
Capacity Building
·  Train staff and partners throughout the region on DRR and resilience; the principles and complexities of risk reduction, resilience and adaptation in the MEE context which includes both natural and man-made including technological and conflict hazards.
·  Identify learning and training opportunities for Save the Children staff and partners and work as a mentor and role model for all staff, especially with regards to humanitarian programmes and DRR.

Advocacy and networking

·  Produce advocacy and technical briefs on risk reduction and resilience as necessary (in both natural disaster and conflict settings) including support for SCI MEE country offices and regional contributions to global policy processes, in particular post-2015 HFA and MDG policy processes.
·  Active membership in SCI Global Working Group for DRR and CCA (chaired currently by SCUK) to represent MEE Region and engage in information sharing and consultations for global level advocacy activities.
·  Co-lead, along with the regional humanitarian team, SCI engagement with the Arab League for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
·  Represent SCI at various regional fora, including regional DRR working group, Arab regional platform, UN inter-agency meetings as delegated.
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
·  Is accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving results together with children and role modelling Save the Children values
·  Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
·  Creates a managerial environment in-country to lead, enable and maintain our culture of child safeguarding
Ambition:
·  Sets ambitious and challenging goals for self and team, takes responsibility for own personal development and encourages team to do the same
·  Widely shares personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
·  Future oriented, thinks strategically and on a global scale
Collaboration:
·  Builds and maintains effective relationships, with own team, colleagues, members, donors and partners
·  Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
Creativity:
·  Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
·  Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
·  Honest, encourages openness and transparency
·  Always acts in the best interests of children
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Essential
·  Masters Level degree in Development, Disaster Management, Risk Management, Climate Change Adaptation, Environmental Studies, Social Science or other university degree in a relevant discipline
·  8 years of experience in humanitarian and DRR programming or a relevant professional area
·  Strong track record in DRR, CCA and resilience fundraising.
·  Demonstrable analytical skills particularly concerning development and humanitarian interventions in complex contexts of risk, especially in conflict affected fragile states and displacement settings
·  Knowledge and experience of disaster risk reduction and/ or climate change adaptation methods at the community level (ideally with children) and with local authorities.
·  Experience in training or capacity building with diverse groups
·  Experience of DRR policy and advocacy activities and knowledge of regional and global DRR and climate change policy arena
·  Demonstrable knowledge of child safeguarding and protection in participation
·  Communication skills including the ability to distil technical information for a non-specialist audience; and the ability to write policy and technical briefings. Strong spoken and written English is essential.
·  Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to negotiate, motivate and persuade groups and individuals towards new ways of thinking and acting
·  Demonstrable planning skills including the ability to think creatively and innovate and to set priorities; develop manageable work plans in a multi-country context and evaluate progress
·  Experience of quantitative and qualitative research techniques

Desirable

·  Experience of working and living the Middle East Eurasia region preferred.
·  Language skills applicable to the MEE: Arabic would be an advantage
·  Experience of development or humanitarian work in an urban context will be an advantage
·  Experience of monitoring and evaluation for risk reduction, adaptation and resilience
·  Network of technical contacts on risk reduction, adaptation and resilience.
·  Previous first phase emergency response experience a plus
Date: 28 Dec 2013 Author: Alex Gray