Overview

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years of experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 6,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders in the workforce, address climate change, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe. RTI’s work is helping foster stronger food systems, build resilience to climate and man-made shock, and engage the next generation of local leaders. RTI is currently partnering on nearly 30 projects in East Africa, including activities focused on private sector-driven agricultural growth in Rwanda and market systems development in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Project Description

The Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Activity is a five-year USAID-funded program implemented by RTI International. The purpose of the DRM Activity is to strengthen DRM planning and preparedness capacity, improve DRM coordination, enhance resource mobilization and management, and enable timely implementation of anticipatory actions to preempt crises and reduce the impacts of shocks. The activity will also strengthen gender in emergencies (GiE) capacity, increase private sector engagement in DRM, and expand local organizations’ capacity to engage in DRM. The Activity will provide strategic support to DRM institutions in the implementation of Ethiopia’s new Disaster Risk Management Policy and Disaster Risk Finance Strategy.

Position Description

RTI is seeking a DRM Network Specialist for the USAID Ethiopia DRM Activity. The DRM Network Specialist will be responsible for facilitating coordination between community DRM committees and Government of Ethiopia (GOE) DRM staff, and strengthening subnational disaster preparation by introducing market-based solutions, creating linkages, and expanding PSE in DRM to promote actionable plans.

This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and will report to the DRM Planning and Preparedness Lead.

Duties and Responsibilities

Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Provide strategic support in the development of community-based collective DRM plans and actions.

• Support Woreda DRM units to establish Woreda DRM Forum to build linkages and partnerships among communities, the private sector, local organizations, and subnational.

• Facilitate coordination between community DRM committees and GOE DRM staff

• Facilitate the establishment of and linkages between Community Coaching Networks.

• Lead in strengthening functionality of the ECCs and support woreda DRM units to establish Woreda DRM Forums to build linkages, coordination, and dialogue among communities, local organizations, the private sector, humanitarian and development programs, and DRM GOE staff at all levels.

• Strengthen access by community organizations and the private sector to innovation challenge funds to offer market-based solutions and de-risk DRM.

• Support the development of the DRM business consortium to strengthen pre-plan response and business resilience to ensure emergency supplies and market recovery are in place for early action during shocks.

• Facilitate public-private dialogue and with technical assistance (TA), improve the enabling environment for private sector involvement in DRM, including emergency response.

• Identify trusted private sector partners, to prequalify suppliers and enter into standing agreements for DRM services, and strengthen their DRM capacities.

• Strengthen access and application of NIMS information by enhancing and scaling ECC weekly meetings and institutionalizing AARs.

• Lead in documenting lessons learned and identify corrective actions and best practices for future emergency response.

• we also will enhance women’s agency in coordination between DRM committees and DRM staff.

Job Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 5 years of experience, Master's degree and 3 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Ability to demonstrate positive human relations and effective communication skills to work effectively with community leaders, government officials, and the general public.

• Demonstrated experience working in the disaster risk management field and a deep understanding of DRM actors in Ethiopia.

• Financial background to assist in project budget monitoring or community development projects.

• Public Speaking experience, ability to be a team builder.

• Excellent management, and organizational skills (attention to detail is required), flexibility, and capacity to multi-task.

• Verbal and written fluency in English is required.

• Ability to travel and work throughout Ethiopia in difficult terrain/conditions at times. 

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants can apply online using THIS LINK