UNDP Crisis Prev & Recov Specialist in Kinshasa 132 views

The DRC is characterized by a situation of protracted crises on a large part of its territory. In the past two decades, the violence in the DRC has shifted from sub-regional wars to internal armed conflicts organised around the access to and control of natural resources. The country is repeatedly affected by several serious epidemics such as Malaria, Measles, Cholera, Plague and Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Security and humanitarian challenges increased in the period 2016–2018, particularly with the conflicts that have inflamed the Grand Kasai and Ituri. The conflicts have exacerbated socioeconomic vulnerability, with an estimated 15.3 million people, more than 15 per cent of the population, needing humanitarian assistance and protection in 2020.^[1] These vulnerable populations face human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence, as well as chronic malnutrition and epidemics, including cholera, measles and EVD. There are an estimated 3.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country in 2019. DRC is considered as the second largest humanitarian crisis in the world.

The DRC was ranked the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change in 2016.^[2] This high vulnerability as well as the low level of preparedness and recovery processes calls for investment and innovation to improve planning and response to major emergencies such as droughts and floods. In mid-April heavy floods in Uvira, a city in the South Kivu province, affected 80,000 people and killed more than 30 people. The road network was affected with several bridges destroyed and large agriculture fields in the Uvira plain were flooded, hampering the local food production and supply chains, and threatening of increased food insecurity in the coming months.

The 10^th outbreak which happened in August 2018 in Eastern DRC region (provinces of Ituri, North-Kivu and South-Kivu) has lasted almost 2 years and ed the where 3,463 cases and 2,280 deaths have been reported. While the 10^th EVD outbreak was at its terminal phase, the 11^th outbreak was declared in the Equateur province on May 31^st with 18 EVD cases including 12 deaths were detected on June 21^st. Those recent events reflect the significant increase in the occurrence of EVD outbreaks which has been recorded between 2010 and 2020. Over the past 10 years, there have been six occurrences compared to five episodes over the previous 34 years (1976-2010). The Ebola outbreaks and responses can have significant socioeconomic impacts on affected populations such as mistrust of the affected communities and further deterioration of insecurity and humanitarian vulnerability. The recurrence and short periodicity of these outbreaks raise the question of the sustainability of public health policy, and the effectiveness of the national system for managing and mitigating the risk of Ebola crises occurring in the DRC.

DRC has been confronted since March 2020 to the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of June 21^st, 2020, there is 5,915 cases including 135 deaths, with 12 of the 26 provinces affected. This exogenous health shock has jeopardized the functioning of its economy and led to major socioeconomic and humanitarian repercussions, exacerbated by pre-existing fragile and post-conflict conditions in the country. With the supports of UNDP and others partners, the Government has elaborated and is implementing a national multisectoral emergency programme structured in three priorities: (1) the COVID-19 response and health system strengthening, (2) the support to macroeconomic stability and economic recovery, and (3) the risks mitigation and support to populations.

Summary of key functions:

• Programmatic support;
• Analytical expertise;
• Coordination;
• and Resource Mobilization

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative Resident Programme and in close collaboration with UNDP DRC programme units, field offices, UN Agencies and any other relevant organizations, the Crisis Response and Recovery Specialist will actively support the CO on coordinating the UNDP CO efforts related to crisis response and recovery and provide specific technical support in the four following areas.

1. COVID-19 response and recovery
2. EVD response and recovery
3. Crisis response and recovery including the ongoing Uvira floods response and recovery.

In specific terms, She/He will be responsible for the following areas: (A) Programmatic support, (B) Analytical expertise, (C) Coordination, and (D) Resource Mobilization.

Programmatic support:

• Support the development of concrete country programmes, with a strong focus on building resilience in communities, including through components like basic health provision, socio-economic recovery, and stabilization.
• Provide expert technical and policy advice to the CO Senior Management on programme strategies, planning and courses of action in area of crisis response and recovery.
• Prepare and submit viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the implementation and achievement of set results of the CRR related ongoing projects.
• Undertake and coordinate the drafting of programme proposals, in close coordination with the UNDP staff (Heads of Offices, Team leaders, Thematic Experts, etc.).
• Contribute to the existing works and reflexions on the coherence and synergies between crisis response and the stabilization strategies.
• Contribute to the preparation of the crisis response and recovery works, Analysis, evaluation, and consolidation of the programme documentation in the CRR’s area.

Analytical expertise:

• Provide punctual situation analyses, identify critical programme intervention points, measures, or adjustments; and prepare programme work plans and recommendations.
• Monitor crisis response and recovery activities at the international, national, regional, and provincial levels. Initiate new approaches and develop methodologies to best meet goals and objectives. Prepare position papers for use in the development of the UNDP programme in the DRC/region.
• Enhance the identification/review of critical intervention points; provide accurate, updated analyses of country level crisis response and recovery works trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects.
• Support crisis response and recovery policymaking by formulating recommendations to the relevant governmental bodies and the UN system working in humanitarian action, peacebuilding, and development

Coordination:

• Contribute to UNDP’s positioning, by advocating its mandate and areas of expertise. Act as a second-in-command for the DRR/P.
• Participate in crisis response and recovery meetings: COVID-19 and Ebola coordination meetings and humanitarian clusters.
• Identify and contact relevant stakeholders and existing coordination mechanism, including national, sub-national authorities, national and international organisations, and civil society.
• Liaise regularly with the DRR/P to receive updates, challenges, and identify key information needed from coordination and strategic meetings.
• Ensure clear internal coordination within the teams and with advisors.
• Participate in the review of operation plans to support the program activities and the scale-up of programming according to the approved strategy.

Resource Mobilization:

• Contribute to an effective advocacy, communication and networking achieved through partnership and collaboration, including a strong contribution to UNDP’s positioning on the relevant crisis and recovery funds.
• Support the promotion of the partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society, to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation.
• Advise on partnerships and resources mobilization strategies for CRR related works including stabilization socio-economical projects, and health-related aspects.
• Identify programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, the country’s needs and donors’ priorities in relation to crisis response and recovery, stabilization and public health sector capacity development needs in the short- and long-term.
• Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities in relation to crisis response and recovery, and health sector capacity development in the short- and long-term.

Impact of results

The results delivered by the incumbent will have an impact on the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the implementation of the country programme of UNDP DRC and should specifically strengthen the CO position and performance on area of crisis response and recovery.

Representation :

Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues)

Relationship Management:

Ability to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other parties, Inter-Agency Coordination and forge productive working relationships

Report Writing:

Ability to prepare quality reports

Partnerships:

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships

Resource Mobilization:

Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources

Knowledge Management:

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge

Operational Efficiency:

Ability to identify and execute opportunities to improve operational efficiency

Risk Management:

Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize action around mitigating them

Trends and emerging areas analytics:

Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiaves to bring into policy and programme design

Crisis response and recovery Analysis and Risk Assessment :

Knowledge of crisis response and recovery and risk asessment concepts and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Learning and Development:

Knowledge of enterprise learning and development issues, concepts, and principles, and ability to apply them to enhance the fulfillment and performance of employees

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, public health, humanitarian action, international relations, development studies, or other related field

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience working in the design, negotiation, and implementation of complex programmes, preferably on crisis response and early recovery funded by international donors.
• Experience in coordinating complex programmes and projects and working in crisis and emergency settings.
• Experience working in Africa, a good knowledge of and experience working in the DRC is a considerable added value.
• Experience in leading complex logistics operations, in post-conflict areas.
• Strong experience in the management of people and complex situations in high-pressure environments, desirable.
• Experience in developing partnerships with UN agencies, partners, and donors.
• Experience in fundraising with bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills. experience in interacting with senior government officials and major supplier’s companies.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written French is essential;
• Good knowledge of English (spoken and written) is an asset.

Other :

• Demonstrated skills in leadership and management.
• Focuses on client needs and results.
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills.
• Establishes priorities for self and other members of the team; schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to UNDP mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Able to make decisions, take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the decisions make.
• Sound judgment, vision and high-level negotiation and communication skills.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Patience and sensitivity to develop and nurture commitment with an innovative team of people.
• Participative and collaborative working approach.
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary programmatic issues regarding the transition from relief to recovery.
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of the UN Coordination Effectiveness.
• Ability to lead the design and implementation of UN joint programme activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships for Crisis Response and Recovery.
• Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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