Canada: Disaster Risk Management Advisor, Global

Do you want to make a difference? Join the world’s largest humanitarian network. The Canadian Red Cross Society, a not for profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in Canada and throughout the world, is currently seeking a Disaster Risk Management Advisor, Global Programs.

Canadian Red Cross Disaster Risk Management Advisory Services within International Operations is mandated to enhance the level of technical support and operational oversight for improved program quality, and to continue strengthening the role the Canadian Red Cross plays globally in disaster preparedness for response capacity enhancement. The ability to provide humanitarian assistance is a mandated capacity for all National Societies (Movement Statutes article 4.3). As such, the Disaster Response Capacity Enhancement (DRCE) approach was developed in 2010 by CRC and IFRC to support National Societies in strengthening their ability to prepare and respond to disasters. The approach utilizes an assessment framework to assess National Society response preparedness, and support an analysis process to cross reference with other response capacity information to identify areas to enhance a National Society’s ability to respond to emergencies. Most important, DRM Services provides technical support to National Societies for them to achieve their goals of improved response.

RESPONSIBLITIES

This position will provide technical disaster risk management support to CRC-IO global program teams to enhance program quality. The position will contribute to increased technical DRM excellence within CRC and globally through:

1. Provision of evidence-based technical expertise to support programming in disaster risk management: including support to national response capacity evaluation, planning, implementation and monitoring.

2. Support technical leadership within RCM in DRM: including building and maintaining relationships with IFRC, ICRC and NS on RCM DRM activities, policies and tools.

3. Strategic leadership within CRC providing cohesive link within all components of the disaster risk management cycle: including active collaboration with geographic desks to increase knowledge in DRM, engaging with CRC domestic and ERT to strengthen coherence across the DRM cycle.

All actions undertaken by the DRM Technical Advisor must be underpinned by the following approaches:

• Ensure professional support to the National Society, fully understanding their needs and enabling the NS to enhance their capacity in preparedness for response (including work with support service areas).

• Ensure that project activities are coherent within the role and responsibilities and strategic directions of the NS and coordinated with other partners within and external to the Red Cross Movement.

• Identify training needs and facilitate experience sharing with other NS, and others partners.

• Ensure commitment to promote learning and knowledge sharing.

• Coordinate with other CRC Advisor services, such as Community Engagement and Accountability, Gender Equality & Diversity, Protection, Shelter, National Society Capacity Building and PMER.

• Utilize past experience and follow new developments to facilitate learning of CRC staff within DRM.

• Adhere to CRC and IFRC policies and approaches.

  QUALIFICATIONS

  Education, Knowledge and Experience:

• University Degree in a related field.

• Minimum 5 years experience of working for an humanitarian aid organisation, with at least 2 years working in a developing country, and experience in disaster preparedness and response.

• Minimum 5 years experience in project management, representation and strategic planning; with demonstrated understanding of Project Cycle Management, with a focus on strategic thinking and development of systems/processes to support disaster preparedness and response.

• Experience in capacity building of partner organizations; experience working with Red Cross National Societies preferable.

• Proven experience with successfully delivering on objectives in a very tight timeframe.

• Proven experience of facilitating/training, and adult learning and skill transfer approaches.

• Experience of, and commitment to, participatory approaches and the integration of participatory mechanisms into all stages of project cycle planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

• Experience with projects funded by Global Affairs Canada or another Government donor an asset.

• Experience in conducting evaluations and use of methodologies such as interviews, observation, analysis and consensus building.

• Previous team leader experience.

• Familiarity with the IFRC Principles and Rules for Humanitarian Assistance and IFRC response procedures and tools (DMIS, DREF, EPoA, etc.).

• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: Organization of simulation exercises, drills; Emergency Operations Centers/Situation Room; Emergency Plans and Contingency Plans; development of Standard Operating Procedures; Strategic management and control of emergency operations, and decision making; Management of information and/or communications in emergencies; Logistics, warehouse and fleet management; staff and volunteer management in disasters; Movement coordination mechanisms, external actors; and experience or specialization in Gender, Protection, Security, Communality Engagement and Accountability, etc. an asset.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong written and oral skills in English are essential; French and/or Spanish language is a strong asset.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage supporting multiple teams and ongoing initiatives.

• Strong team-working and interpersonal skills: ability to take initiative and set direction.

• Flexible and adaptable to manage complexity and uncertainty; problem solving attitude.

• Sensitive to diversity, and understanding and commitment to RC/RC Principles, code of conduct and personal integrity.

• Valid driver's licence (manual gears) is preferred.

  WORKING CONDITIONS:

  Duties are partially conducted at the National Office of the Canadian Red Cross in Ottawa, with travel to support in-country activities anticipated to be 30-40%. Field missions can involve working in environments that are unstable and unpredictable requiring very strict adherence to security regulations and with unpredictable and limited access to basic services. Ability to work in stressful and often ambiguous conditions is required.

Please note that there is no relocation package for this position.

This position requires a successful Canadian criminal record and vulnerable sector check.

The Canadian Red Cross Society is an equal opportunity employer.

*HOW TO APPLY*

Interested parties may submit their application by applying on the Canadian Red Cross Online Career Website by midnight EST on Thursday, May 18, 2017.