Emergency Specialist (Rapid Response Mechanism) at the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Emergency Specialist (Rapid Response Mechanism), (P-3)

Job Number: 530515
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Contract: Temporary Appointment
Work Type: Fixed Term Appointment

Job Descriptions

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria is seeking the interest of a qualified and energetic Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) Coordinator to provide overall coordination for RRM partners in Nigeria for the North-East emergency.
During 2014 and early 2015, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) and The Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) commonly known as Boko Haram intensified its attacks on the civilian population in Nigeria, with tactics developing from hit-and-run to take-and-hold attacks in which they managed to establish and maintain control over large swaths of territory.
While in late 2015 and 2016 the Nigerian Armed Forces took back most JAS / ISWAP controlled areas, the fighting caused additional mass displacement especially in Borno State. However, as conflict and access dynamics shifted in 2019, a need for a dedicated Rapid Response Coordinator was evident.
The purpose of the assignment is to coordinate the RRM partners through the development and implementation of an effective RRM in North East Nigeria.
The specific objective of the RRM project is based on three pillars: 1) Assessments: Maintaining a humanitarian watch as the basis for the execution of rapid and multi-sector assessments for populations at high risks, 2) Advocacy: Ensuring the effective use of the MSA information and follow-up humanitarian action via close and constant coordination and advocacy with sectors and other stakeholders by disseminating alerts / results / recommendations, 3) Response: In the absence of ready humanitarian action within the humanitarian community, undertaking emergency responses.

How can you make a difference?

RRM strategy developed:

Develop 2020 RRM strategy complete with alert verification system, thresholds, timeframe, minimum packages and exit strategy;
Identify and map areas of responsibility of implementing partners;
Develop rapid assessment, post mission, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), and evaluation tools; and
Ensure Sector pipelines are stocked with necessary response items.

RRM program with the implementing I / NGOs is coordinated, managed and implemented:

Co-lead the governance structures of the RRM and ensure regular communications both internally and externally;
Conduct regular operational analysis, identify areas of poor performance, bottlenecks, and identify solutions such as design improvements, additional trainings and technical support;
Ensure relevant analysis of complaints and feedback received through different sources and ensure implementing partners relevant follow up; and
Prepares relevant programme reports required for management, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

RRM program fully funded and donors are satisfied with its implementation and results:

Elaborate and monitor an annual RRM budget;
Monitor grants to ensure funds are allocated and utilized as per the proposal and quality reports are done according to plan including the visibility components;
Fundraise to cover the gap in RRM funding through regular communications/advocacy with Donors and prepare quality concept notes and proposals; and
Develop a Donor strategy specific for RRM.

RRM program is well incorporated into the humanitarian landscape and well respected by the humanitarian actors and beneficiaries:

Ensure that quality assessments are completed and are shared with the Humanitarian Community as per agreed thresholds / approaches;
Liaise with Inter Sector Working Group (ISWG) / OCHA and humanitarian community to advocate for assessment results and identified needs to be addressed as per agreed thresholds / approaches;
Ensure the RRM approach works within the existing sector approach and framework;
Ensure there is a good understanding of the RRM at the Field Level and staff are kept abreast of RRM partner agreements including any potential end user monitoring and technical support; and
Liaise with UNICEF sections including Emergencies as Provider of Last Resort.

Requirements
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in International Development / Relations, Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Law, Public Health, Nutrition, or other related disciplines.
A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in programme / project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and administration with UN and / or INGOs;
Experience in multi-sector emergency programme implementation;
Previous experience implementing and / or coordinating an RRM is highly desirable;
Experience in use of cash in emergencies is highly desirable;
Experience in multi-stakeholder co-ordination and facilitation is highly desirable;
Effective communication, networking and organizational skills and ability to work well in a team;
Ability to work well under pressure and in response to rapidly changing needs; and
Ability to work in difficult circumstances.
Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication (II), Working with People (II) and Drive for Results (II).

The functional competencies required for this post are: