Technical Specialist for Early Warning and Emergency Coordination Centers

at Asian Disaster Preparedness Center
Location Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Date Posted March 26, 2022
Category NGO
Job Type Full-time
Currency ETB

Description

Purpose and Objectives:

The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC) is mandated to lead Ethiopia’s Disaster Risk Management work in the country. The commission in collaboration with its partner had developed the “DRM Strategic Plan and Investment Framework (DRM-SPIF)” approved by the Federal Government in 2013. The National DRM mainstreaming guideline was developed and launched in 2018. Guided by the strategy and guideline, the EDRMC has embarked on an initiative to mainstream disaster risk management across all line ministries as well as regional states. The EDRMC is currently in the process of finalizing its policy reform agenda and a 10-years strategic plan taking into consideration the complex humanitarian situations, risk management dynamics, and global system change. A virtual working platform and operating system that integrates the EWS and ECCs are being implemented by EDRMC in close collaboration with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and other stakeholders. This will be implemented as part of the overall enhancement of shock responsive and proactive of the Early Warning System (EWS) and the operationalization of Emergency Coordination Centers (ECCs) at various levels.

EDRMC in partnership with ADPC is currently implementing a program namely “Improving Coordination Capacity for Preparedness and Emergency Response in Ethiopia (ETCOR)” with funding support from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The program aims to improve the institutional capacity of EDRMC and key sectoral ministries including Agriculture and Health by enhancing systems, capacity, and coordination mechanisms for preparedness and response, and improving information and knowledge management system.

Initially, the program will focus on supporting the relevant Government institutions in the effective coordination of emergency relief, humanitarian coordination, emergency preparedness, and early recovery in the conflict-affected areas in Northern Ethiopia and other vulnerable regions where the respective sectoral stakeholders are involved. The medium- to long-term focus will be on enhancing the inter-and intra-sectoral coordination capacity of the Government system for overall preparedness and emergency response in Ethiopia through technical and leadership capacity development support to the relevant agencies within the framework of National DRM policy and implementation strategy.

The program is looking to recruit a qualified consultant as Technical Specialist for Early Warning and Emergency Coordination Centers with specific skills and knowledge of information communication and database management to be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The consultant will be responsible for leading the implementation of identified activities in this TOR. The key objectives of the position include:

  1. To provide technical assistance for harmonization and automation of the National EWS and development of tools for data collection, analysis, generating, and dissemination of automated warning information.
  2. To provide technical assistance for development of EW bulletins, alerts, and virtual EW messages, decision support information, communication, and feedback system in close collaboration with the Early Warning and Emergency Response Directorate of EDRMC.
  3. To provide technical guidance for development of effective and up-to-date scientific approaches and methods for EW information gathering, analysis, generating warning messages as well as dissemination to end-users on a timely basis.
  4. To support EWS technical capacity building for sub-national level government on automated EW system and application of ICT system including the operationalization of ECCs at various levels using a virtual platform that integrates EWS and ECCs for effective preparedness and response.
  5. To provide technical assistance to EWS to enable the evidence-based activation of ECC at times of emergency.
  6. To review existing EWSs initatives by various stakeholders in the country, the Horn of Africa and the globe along with their achievements, challenges and provide recommentations for improvement.
  7. To support and ensure synergies created among the Federal ECC and all other sectoral and regional ECCs in the country.

Expected Outputs:

As part of the Program Management Unit (PMU), the Technical Specialist for EWS and ECCs with special skills in Management Information System (MIS) would be based in EDRMC. The consultant will directly report to the Deputy Commissioner, work closely with Early Warning and Response Directorate staff, and coordinate with other EDRMC Directorates including:

  • Technical assistance for harmonization and automation of the National EWS and development of tools for data collection, analysis, generating automated warning information, and dissemination of EW message for response.
  • Strengthening ECC coordination among government sectors, humanitarian actors, and the communities and linkage with EWS.
  • Capacity building on automated EWS, ICT system application, and ECC operations through the virtual platform for effective preparedness and response.
  • Creating a triggering mechanism of EWS for activation and deactivation of ECCs.

    Supporting the maximization of IT-based EWS in EDRMC shifting from manual to automation.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

  1. Technical assistance to the Early Warning and Response Directorate for harmonization and automation of the National EWS and development of tools for data collection, analysis, and generating automated warning messages.
  2. Develop, organize and manage databases, spreadsheets, and other data tools; document and ensure the quality of Early warning information and high-value humanitarian data for accuracy, consistency, and comparability; consolidate operational information on a regularly scheduled basis to support analytics.
  3. Supervision of data entry, data consistency, and quality. Oversee the data collection process, effectiveness and make sure the collected data is transferred into the MIS server, monitor the quality and completeness of MIS data entered into the system, and provide regular feedback to field teams.
  4. Regularly uploading Early warning information, knowledge products, policy documents, plans, emergencies, and EW alerts, bulletins, events reports, program documents, audiovisuals, maps application software.
  5. Support Early Warning Unit in organizing and documenting ECC’s regular meetings, emergencies to date information and specify gaps and unmet requirements.
  6. Leads the development of effective and up-to-date scientific approaches and methods for information gathering, analysis, generate EW messages on a timely basis.
  7. Monitor, analyze and report on humanitarian response and developments, disaster relief/management programs, or emergencies in the country.
  8. Lead and participate in working groups related to Early warning information management, prepare situation reports, information products and upload on the web portal for all users.
  9. Conduct capacity gap analysis, plan and facilitate tailored training for various users - virtually or in person, plan and organize workshops for EDRMC and key regional, zonal, and woreda DRM staff.
  10. Management of IMS, analysis, and assessment of teams/networks.
  11. Provide monthly system improvement progress updates and quarterly reports.

    Any other duties as assigned by EDRMC for the overall objectives of the position.

Working Principles:

In performing the duties and responsibilities indicated above, the consultant will report directly to the Deputy Commissioner at EDRMC, work closely with the Early Warning and Response Directorate staff, and coordinate with other EDRMC Directorates.

Qualifications:

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Early Warning System, Disaster Risk Management, Statistics, Information Management and Data System, GIS, Humanitarian Programming, or related field with working experience in Ethiopia is essential. Ph.D. in a related field would be an added advantage.

Work Experience:

  • At least 10 years of proven experience in humanitarian response planning, disaster management, early warning system and automation, information management, application of scientific data systems, database development, statistical analysis, GIS, and related field.
  • Familiarity and at least 5 years of experience in working with government agencies.
  • Knowledge of the working ethics of national government agencies, International NGOs, National NGOs, private organizations, and international organizations would prove to be an added advantage.

Personal Qualities:

  • Self-motivated, pro-active, and takes initiatives.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan, and organize work & time independently.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and team-oriented work style.
  • Strong networking capacity and understanding of humanitarian and development nexus at local and regional levels.
  • Strong desire to learn, undertake new challenges, must be creative problem-solver, and must have self-confidence.
  • Willingness to work in a multi-tasking environment, good sense of humor but seriousness about the quality and excellence of work.

Languages

  • For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Verbal and written communication skills in Amharic are essential. Knowledge of another Ethiopian language is an advantage.

General Requirements:

  • Operate within all EDRMC and ADPC Guidelines & Procedures/ Policies;
  • Operate within specific program needs.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Duration: 12 months from May 2022 to April 2023 with the possibility of extension based on the performance and technical requirements of the position and project.

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