Chief Field Operations & Emergency, P4, Niamey, Niger #72094 (Readvertisement)
Job no: 562847
Position type: Fixed Term Appointment
Location: Niger Division/Equivalent: Dakar (WCAR), Senegal
School/Unit: Niger
Department/Office: Niamey, Niger
Categories: Emergency
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 fulfill 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, hope.
UNICEF Niger country programme (CPD) 2023 – 2027 is aligned with Niger’s Economic and Social Development Plan (PDES) 2022-2026 priorities, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027, UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and UNICEF Gender Action Plan 2022-2025.
The CPD 2023-2027 aims to ensure a coordinated and targeted response to the dynamic context and challenges facing women and children in Niger. The vision of the programme is that all girls and boys, from birth through adolescence, survive, thrive, learn, develop to their full potential, are protected from all forms of violence and exploitation, and thus support to positive social change in their communities and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Niger is affected by multiple and complex humanitarian crises, both chronic and acute, including food and nutrition, natural disasters, epidemics and displacement of population due to conflicts in neighboring countries (Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso) and to consequences of attacks by non- state armed groups. These poly-crises have a significant impact on the vulnerability of populations, which are often affected simultaneously by multiple shocks.
The country is also regularly hit by severe floods which affect every year thousands of people. UNICEF provides multi-sectoral responses to the crises affecting Niger and aims at strengthening the link between humanitarian interventions and resilience-building programmes, particularly in the Diffa Region. Nexus and Durable Solutions are the key words in UNICEF Niger approach.
Since 2016 UNICEF has been increasingly supporting the implementation of a Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) in the country. The mechanism provides rapid multisectoral assessment and response in WASH, non-Food Items (NFI), food security and protection, to the acute vulnerabilities of people recently affected by population movements due to sudden shocks. Since 2018 the RRM mechanism has been formalized through a joint framework, which included OCHA, UNICEF, WFP, the Ministry of Humanitarian Action and Disaster Relief, and the NGO (ACF, ACTED, DRC and IRC) and UNICEF is responsible for the technical leadership of the mechanism and for the centralization of NFI and WASH procurement. In 2023 the first phase of the RRM will end, a review will serve to launch the second phase where UNICEF plans to play a key role.
UNICEF leads 4 sectors/clusters in the country at the national level, and supports the regional decentralized technical services, including in Diffa, Tahoua, Maradi, Agadez and Tillabery, in their leadership role for humanitarian sectoral coordination.
How can you make a difference?
Reporting to the Representative, the Chief Field Operations & Emergency, is responsible for the coordination and management of all field Programme operations, Humanitarian-related issues in the office ranging from policy development to fund-raising and also responsible for the effective management of the Programme Management and Field Support Unit.
The Chief Field (Operations & Emergency) supervises the Chief Field Offices (4) and the Emergency Management Unit (led by Emergency Specialist).
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:
1.Field operations:
- Provides supervision, managerial guidance and oversight to the field offices.
- Establishes and/or strengthens communication and coordination between field offices and the country office in planning, implementation and monitoring of the Country programme.
- Ensures logistic and flow of supply in the areas covered by field offices and emergency supplies at the country office, including prepositioning of emergency supply in the framework of contingency planning.
- Identifies key humanitarian partners and strategies to increase coverage of services for children and caregivers in the zones of difficult access.
2. Emergency Preparedness:
- Ensures that adequate emergency preparedness measures are taken through the development and updating of country contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms, which leads to more 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 policy and program advice related to emergencies, including on management related issues. Provides direction and guidance to the country office in the implementation of emergency preparedness measures, which strengthens preparedness and response mechanisms in the country faced with impending emergencies.
- Develops and maintains databases on country/regional information and ensures the flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergencies. 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.
- Assists in developing and conducting emergency training courses specifically designed for regional standby Emergency Response Teams; participates in these courses with the Team and participates in other emergency training workshops in the region, leading to build-up in the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff and implementing partners. Plans, organizes and conducts training for the office’s staff capacity building in emergencies preparedness and response.
3. Emergency Response:
- In the event of an emergency, takes prompt action as Team Leader or member of the Emergency Response Team which is deployed immediately to establish UNICEF’s presence and implement the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance. Ensures that the office is provided with effective telecommunications facility and security assistance for the staff in an emergency, as necessary. In coordination with the programme and operations groups, establishes contact with all UNICEF staff and their dependents and visitors to ensure their safety and whereabouts, and informs OPSCEN and the Regional Director of their status.
- Assesses local conditions resulting from the emergency situation affecting children and their families in the country. Leads and/or participates in needs assessment missions in conjunction with the Regional Office, the HQ Divisions, and field staff, in order to determine priorities and an appropriate intervention by UNICEF. Participates in UN Country team emergency response and contributes to assessing the crisis and humanitarian situation in the country with special regard to the survival, protection and wellbeing of children, adolescents and women.
- Assists the Representative in emergency operations oversight and programme management to ensure that the funding, budget, management, reporting and field presence coordination are managed efficiently and effectively with clear responsibilities and in close collaboration and cooperation with the Deputy representative.
4. Emergency planning, advocacy and coordination:
- Prepares inputs for appeals and updates related to emergencies as well as project proposals for emergency. 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.
- Establishes longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions. Plans and develops a more regular operational and staffing structure to take over from the Emergency Response Team.
- Maintains continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors and allies to appeal for aid for children and women with the special needs resulting from emergency situations requiring effective emergency responses in all sectors. Identifies implementing/operational partners and establishes implementing arrangements. Ensures that the 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.
- Represents UNICEF in all humanitarian and recovery related forums at the strategic level 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.
- Ensures that disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the country office’s workplans. Prepares sectoral input for the country programme documents, plan of action, annual workplans, 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.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines.
- Eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and administration.
- Developing country work experience. Specialized training/experience in emergency response management highly desirable.
- Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of the local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
- Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
- 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 (2)
During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Remarks:
UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidate are encouraged to apply.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
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.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Niamey is a family duty station with a “Rest & Recuperation” cycle every 12 weeks.
Advertised: Oct 11 2023 W. Central Africa Standard Time
Application close: Oct 25 2023 W. Central Africa Standard Time
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- Closes Oct 25 2023Chief Field Operations & Emergency, P4, Niamey, Niger #72094 (Readvertisement) in Niger
Reporting to the Representative, the Chief Field Operations & Emergency, is responsible for the coordination and management of all field Programme operations, Humanitarian-related issues in the office ranging from policy development to fund-raising and also responsible for the effective management of the Programme Management and Field Support Unit. The Chief Field (Operations & Emergency) supervises the Chief Field Offices (4) and the Emergency Management Unit (led by Emergency Specialist).