Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primary, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key results.

Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Development and Management of Emergency, Nexus and Recovery Programming

Ensuring UNICEF's nexus programming reaches the most vulnerable children in priority Woredas across the Northwest, West and Central Zones that have been impacted by the crisis including a) leading the transition to and roll out of recovery programming in relevant areas and b) leading the on-going emergency preparedness and response by:

• Leadership and guidance is provided to ensure UNICEF support for the Durable Solutions Strategy (returns, relocation, and local integration), is actualized in AoR.

• UNICEF participates in needs assessments in collaboration with government partners and local NGOs to identify the most critical needs of children in priority Woredas.

• Design and develop high-quality, evidence-based programmes that address the specific vulnerabilities and needs of children in these areas.

• Oversee the implementation of programmes, ensuring adherence to UNICEF's humanitarian programming principles and best practices.

• Lead a team of specialists and officers to deliver effective programme interventions across diverse sectors, including nutrition, child protection, education, health, WASH, and social protection.

• Foster strong partnerships with local NGOs and government counterparts to ensure programmes are context-specific, conflict-sensitive and culturally appropriate.

• Monitor and evaluate programme effectiveness, utilizing data to demonstrate impact and identify areas for improvement

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, actively seeking innovative approaches to scale up successful programmes and maximize reach.

• Play a key role in assuring high visibility for UNICEF programmes to support securing funding and resources to sustain and expand high-quality programmes.

• Oversee all aspects of warehouse operations in the Shire through the Ethiopian Red Cross (ERCS) MoU, including efficient receipt, storage, and distribution of essential supplies for UNICEF programmes.

• Lead the transition to and roll out of UNICEF recovery programmes in relevant areas in the Western, Northwestern and Central Zones.

2. Emergency Preparedness

• Adopts adequate emergency preparedness measures through the development and updating of country contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms, to ensure effective preparedness and response to specific emergencies.

• Participates in the formulation and development of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies, and monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action, including financial resources. Ensures coordination of the management of emergency preparedness and response.

• Provides technical advice related to emergency preparedness and response, including programme management-related issues. Provides advice to the country office in the implementation of emergency preparedness measures in the field to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms in the country faced with impending emergencies.

• Develops and maintains databases on country/regional information and ensures the flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency preparedness and response management. Identifies availability of resources in emergency-prone areas and establishes logistics plans to be implemented during an emergency operation, to ensure a timely and effective emergency response.

• Plans organizes, and conducts training for the office’s staff capacity building in emergency preparedness and response. Assists in developing and conducting emergency training courses. Provides training and/or briefing, as required. Participates in other emergency training workshops in the region and builds up the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff as well as implementing partners.

3. Emergency Response

• In the event of an emergency, take prompt action as a member of the Emergency Response Team which is deployed immediately to establish UNICEF's presence and implement the initial operational tasks relating to emergency assistance. Immediately verify the nature and extent of the emergency with staff, government officials, other UN agencies local organizations and media. Ensures that the office is provided with effective telecommunications facility and staff security assistance in an emergency, as necessary. In coordination with the programme and operations groups, establish contact with all UNICEF staff, their dependants, and visitors to ensure their safety and whereabouts, and inform OPSCEN and the Regional Director of their status.

• Participates and assists with the assessment of local emergency and security situations affecting children and mothers in the locality, in conjunction with the Regional Office, the HQ Divisions, and field staff. Visits the location to conduct an initial rough assessment of the magnitude of the crisis and its implications for children and its impact on the community. Assesses the validity of the office preparedness plan and ability of the office vis-à-vis the current crisis as well as immediate and additional needs. Determines corporate priorities and an appropriate intervention (supply procurement, fund-raising, and staff development) by UNICEF. Coordinates with other partners to make a rapid assessment covering priority areas as defined by the CCCs. Establishes contact with community groups, government, UN agencies, media, and other partners to keep abreast of emergencies.

• Applies the emergency preparedness and response plan as necessary identifies urgent staffing requirements and redeploys country office staff as required. Executes the timely delivery of assistance and procurement of supplies, and monitors the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources/inputs. Identifies problems and constraints to ensure effective project delivery. Certifies the disbursement of funds monitors expenditures and submits financial status reports. Sets up a reporting system and sends daily situation reports to concerned parties.

4. Emergency Planning

• Participates in the implementation of plans of action and work plans for emergency projects. Implements and manages project activities. Undertakes field visits to emergency project areas, to assess local conditions and monitor project progress. Makes technical decisions on project administration (e.g., activates, requests or reprogrammes allocation of emergency funds). Prepares inputs for appeals and updates related to emergencies. Works with programme sections and senior management to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding, including annual or multi-annual humanitarian appeals and documents (e.g., pitch documents). Communicates and advocates on the situation and needs of children through local and international media, as appropriate.

• Identifies longer-term requirements of the emergency operation/interventions. Proposes a more regular operational and staffing structure.

• Maintains continuous, effective, and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors, and allies to appeal for aid for children and women with special needs resulting from the emergency requiring an effective emergency response in all sectors. Identifies implementing/operational partners and establishes implementing arrangements. Ensures that UNICEF support is effectively provided to the government for sectoral coordination within the framework of the cluster approach and based on the CCCs.

• Participates in all humanitarian and recovery-related forums and keeps management informed of all humanitarian developments in the region in terms of policies, strategy, situation developments, potential threats, and opportunities/issues in partnership.

• Promotes that disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response strategies are mainstreamed in the sub-office work plans. Prepares sectoral input for the country programme documents, plan of action, annual work plans, and all related documents of the office’s Emergency Preparedness and Response. Contribute towards the preparation of the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document.

Job Requirements

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced University degree in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines. Preferably a combination of management, administration, and relevant technical fields.

• Work Experience: At least eight years of professional work experience at international levels in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration. Specialized training/experience in resilience/nexus /durable solutions and public health emergency programme management is highly desirable.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and a second UN language; the Local working language of the duty station is an asset.

Desirables:

• Knowledge of development and humanitarian issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation.

• Prior experience in a similar role is highly desirable.

• Excellent interpersonal, internal, and external communication, and coordination capabilities. and excellent team building leading, and programme management skills.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)

• Works Collaboratively with others (2)

• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)

• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)

• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)

• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)

• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants can apply online using THIS LINK