Resilience Innovation Grants Manager | ReliefWeb 113 views

A. About Asian Disaster Preparedness Center ADPC is an autonomous international organization with a vision to reduce disaster and climate risk impacts on communities and countries in Asia and the Pacific by working with governments, development partners, international organizations, NGOs, civil society, private sector, media, and other key stakeholders.

Established in 1986 as a technical capacity building center, ADPC has grown and diversified its expertise across social and physical sciences to support sustainable solutions for risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas. With over 100 staff from 19 different nationalities and a wide range of professional expertise from atmospheric scientists to social scientists with experiences from all levels of engagement typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) in an effective manner. ADPC is a competent regional resource center and has seven thematic departments: ADPC Academy, Risk Governance, Climate Resilience, Urban Resilience, Health Risk Management, Preparedness for Response and Recovery, Geospatial Information. These are supported by Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Strategic Planning departments. In addition to the departments, ADPC works on three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Diversity, Poverty and Livelihoods, and Regional and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees.

ADPC Strategy 2020 guides the organization in providing comprehensive risk reduction support to countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC recognizes the importance of examining the linkages between disaster risk management, poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainability, rights-based approaches, climate change and regional cooperation.

For details please refer to ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net/ B. Background The World Bank has recently approved the project on Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CARE) in South Asia, a $39.5 million initiative that will be jointly implemented by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES).

The overall aim of the project is to build resilience to climate change risks by sharing regional data and knowledge, developing regional standards and guidelines for infrastructure, and promoting climate-resilient policies and investments. The key target sectors under this project such as agriculture, transport, water, planning, and finance will be piloted in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. ADPC is entrusted for the component 2 focusing on Enabling Climate Resilient Policies and Standards for Development with the following sub-components:

1. Policy and knowledge interventions for climate risk management
2. Sector guidelines and advisory Services on climate resilient design and standards
3. Technical Support and Capacity Building to Implement Climate-Risk Management Solutions
4. Innovation for Climate Adaptation and Resilience

The sub-component “Innovation for Climate Adaptation and Resilience” is implemented as part of the World Bank’s Program for Asia Resilience to Climate Change Multi Donor Trust Fund (PARCC TF Grant). This is financed by DFID which will crowdsource innovative and disruptive technology solutions for resilience through grant awards, matchmaking and pilot-testing. This involves a number of actions (e.g. formulation of resilience innovation, call for proposal, judging, award, presentation of results, documentation, and outreach) in phases and is expected to stimulate innovators to explore more climate-smart approaches to development in the region. The resilience innovation is further divided into two categories:

1. Climate Innovation Challenge (CIC) will promote innovation in the South Asia Region (SAR) through award of grants to eligible and qualifying innovators. This would include problem statements around Climate Data and information including short-term EWS and longer-term climate outlook data. The Climate Innovation Challenge will, therefore, aim to facilitate innovative solutions for their application and scale-up across different sectors, and tiers (national, sub-national and local/community) for greater impact.
2. TechEmerge Resilience India Challenge will be undertaken in India in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as a technical partner with an aim to crowd in private-sector expertise and market-based innovation for resilience through the use of disruptive technologies to address climate and disaster resilience challenges. After a comprehensive needs-assessment, an open global call will be launched to source relevant proven well-tested solutions, that can be customized for the region. With the support of a network of technical advisors, the most relevant innovators will be selected and matched with beneficiary users to adopt and implement local pilot projects and form new partnerships. CARE project will provide grant funding to winning innovators and provide appropriate support for field testing/pilot activities.

More details are available on ADPC website. C. Statement of Intent The Resilience Innovation Grants Manager will be the team member of the ADPC’s CARE Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and assist in the overall implementation of the CARE project sub-component 2.4 technically and operationally. The Manager will ensure efficient and effective disbursement, utilization and reporting of allocated grants to the innovators. S/he is also expected to be instrumental in drawing up the grant allocation mechanism, release of the grants and monitoring progress of the innovators who are assigned the grant for piloting or deploying solutions. S/he will seek technical advice from the ADPC’s Deputy Executive Director and conduct technical appraisal and performance assessment of the innovators, as well as regular administration of the grant.

This position is located in Bangkok, Thailand and reports to the Deputy Executive Director.

Note: It is not the intent of this Position Description to cover every aspect of the position requirements, rather to highlight the most important areas of personal and joint responsibility.

D. Key Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority, the Resilience Innovation Grants Manager will be responsible for the following duties:

Program Implementation

• Contribute to the technical and financial design of Component 2.4 of the CARE Project; ensure the innovation grant’s design conforms to WB’s guidelines and targets beneficiary groups.
• Conduct research and analysis to identify key areas of resilience innovation in climate adaptation and become more knowledgeable about thematic issues.
• Lead the implementation of the Grant that details the grant process (including eligibility and selection criteria, jury constitution, application forms, guidance notes, systems for fund disbursement, governance, transparency, and performance monitoring); work with ADPC Finance and HRA team and CARE PIU for operations and compliance to incorporate and adapt relevant parts of ADPC’s financial, procurement and human resources manual into sections of the resilience innovation grant.
• Manage the grants process — including assessment and oversight — emphasizing due diligence, value for money, and cost-effectiveness; manage the competitive selection process; screen and appraise grant applications for funding from the concept note stage to the award stage.
• Work with the ADPC’s communications team to promote the sub-component 2.4 through print and social media, and events to attract grant applicants.

Budgeting and Planning

• Undertaking financial and implementation appraisal of all proposals (including budgets and log frames) and making a summary to be taken up by the management of ADPC and the relevant committee/jury.
• Maintaining a comprehensive database of financial and performance records and integrating it in the overall financial management system of ADPC.
• Work closely with the Finance Department to ensure proper and timely disbursement of funds to the sub-grant awardees, in accordance with ADPC procedures and the Operations Manual.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Work with the monitoring and evaluation team to ensure that progress towards Innovation Grant’s objectives is measurable and reported at all stages.
• Draft periodic reports on the Grant implementation for the Project Director’s review and submission to WB .

• Ensure that grantees’ policies meet WB’s requirements by overseeing due diligence checks on grantees that evaluate their financial management and accounting practices and systems, environmental protection, and other relevant activities. May perform other duties within the scope of work outlined above and as required.E. Competencies Core competencies:
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• Professionalism: Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills with the ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusion and recommendations. Suitability to undertake the technical responsibilities mentioned above at the required level. Ability to communicate clearly links between ADPC’s strategic objectives and the CARE project objectives. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of the operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment; Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

• Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidences in colleagues, staff members, and clients; gives proper credit to theirs; follows through on agreed-upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

F. Qualifications

Education

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. or Master’s) in risk management, planning, engineering, infrastructure, economics, or related field with experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields with demonstrated capacity in climate and disaster resilience-related subjects may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• At least seven years of professional experience in managing disaster and climate resilience programs including grants for large donor-funded programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in designing grant allocation mechanisms, monitoring grants, and evaluating outputs from the allocated grants to grant holders.
• Previous experience in DFID and/or World Bank grants management is desirable.

Personal Qualities

• Maintains collaborative relationships within the ADPC’s Department
• Works effectively with diverse colleagues in own and other Departments
• Creates knowledge products endorsed for wider distribution based on lessons and multi-country experience
• Independently amends and clarifies messages and documents •
• Actively supports work improvement and/or organizational change by work and deed
• Develops and adopts change plans to support Department initiatives
• Considers current and future client needs in proposing ideas
• Vocalizes early support for change
• Recommends inputs to new policies, systems, and processes in immediate work area

Languages

• English is the working language of ADPC. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another language is an advantage.

F. Reporting Relationships

The position reports to the Deputy Executive Director.

G. Contract Duration

The contract duration will be for 2 years. The Resilience Innovation Grants Manager’s performance will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.

H. Selection Method

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods. The staff will be selected in accordance with ADPC’s recruitment process.