Emergency Officer at United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Host Entity: UNICEF
Type: Onsite
Expected Start Date: 01/04/2022
Duration: 12 months
Sustainable Development Goal: Good Health and Well-Being
Volunteer Category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Mission and Objectives

• UNICEF is responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. UNICEF Health program is designed to support national health priorities with focus on programs that will positively impact on the lives of the most disadvantaged children, such as the prevention and treatment of diseases through establishing community-level efforts and services to promote the health and well-being of children.
• In line with this strategy, UNICEF supports immunization and health prevention programs for childhood diseases and funding for sustainable health services. UNICEF programs have been guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), which affirms the right of all children to "the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health".
• UNICEF is committed to realizing the rights of all children to help them build a strong foundation and have the best chance of fulfilling their potential. We believe that ensuring a happy and healthy child begins before birth: from ensuring his/her mother has access to good neonatal care and delivering in a clean, safe environment to reaching adulthood as a responsible, healthy and informed parent to the next generation. This journey relies on a child having access to shelter, good nutrition, clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education.

Context

• UNICEF is responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. UNICEF Health program is designed to support national health priorities with focus on programs that will positively impact on the lives of the most disadvantaged children, such as the prevention and treatment of diseases through establishing community-level efforts and services to promote the health and well-being of children.
• In line with this strategy, UNICEF supports immunization and health prevention programs for childhood diseases and funding for sustainable health services.
• UNICEF programs have been guided by the?Convention on the Rights of the Child?(1989), which affirms the right of all children to “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health.”
• The scope of the job duties ranges from methodical data collection, analysis, and reporting, to effective monitoring and analysis of project implementation and management, with limited independent technical decisions on project implementation and evaluation which will impact on project efficiency and delivery.
• The nature of the job is mostly contributory technical work requiring substantive technical analysis and core knowledge of the specialized functional area. The work makes substantial contribution to the achievement of planned objectives of the project teams and the Section at the solid professional quality level. The supervisor guides and oversees the work process, progress and end-results delivery.
• The work also includes the review of appropriateness and completeness of financial and supply documentation as well as adherence to established allotments. Technical expertise is required to analyse data and background information in support of emergency situation analysis, risk analysis and updates. The job requires professional judgement to interpret and apply guidelines correctly. If necessary, recommends deviations

Task Description
Under the direct supervision of Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kano, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Emergency Preparedness:

• Provides professional assistance in risk analysis to identify emergency-prone conditions/situations and contribute to early warning and timely emergency preparedness.
• Participate in the formulation of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies. Gathers information on best practices in emergency situations for the preparation of contingency plans. Monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action.
• Identifies formal and informal sources of information. Collects, interprets and analyses all available data on the evolving emergency situation and its implications to the emergency operation. Keeps the effective flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency measures. Identifies availability of resources in emergency prone areas.
• Supports in organizing and conducting staff training for the office’s capacity building in emergencies preparedness and response. Provides briefing, as required. Participates in other emergency training workshops in the region, and contributes to enhancement of the emergency preparedness and response capability of the office staff.

Emergency Response:

• In the event of an emergency, promptly assists in implementing the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance. Immediately collects reliable information to verify the nature and extend of the emergency with staff, government officials, other UN agencies or local organizations and media.
• Follows up to ensure that the office is provided with effective telecommunications facility and staff security assistance in an emergency, as necessary. Contacts with all UNICEF staff and their dependants and visitors to ensure their safety and whereabouts, and promptly informs head of office, supervisor and other emergency staff.

Requirements
Education:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Public Health, Health Education, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Law, Public Health, Nutrition, International Relations, Business Administration or other related disciplines.

Required Experience:

• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level.
• Substantive knowledge and experience related to emergency readiness and preparedness.

Area(s) of Expertise:

• Crisis and emergency response, Crisis and emergency response, Crisis and emergency response.

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required.

Competencies and Values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Building Trust
• Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Creativity
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Judgement and Decision-making,
• Leadership
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Working in Team.

Eligibility Criteria
This assignment is funded by the Government of the Republic of Ireland and therefore specific criteria apply:

• Age: 27 - 80
• Only the following are eligible to apply: Irish citizens or a European Economic Area nationals with an unrestricted right to reside in Ireland or have a declaration of refugee status from the Minister for Justice and Law Reform.
• The start of the assignment is scheduled for April 2022.
• Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.