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Job Title: Disaster Risk Management Manager

Closing date: 05 Apr 2012

Plan

Plan is one of the oldest and largest children's development organisations in the world. We work in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan's vision is of a world in which all children realise their full potential in societies that respect people's rights and dignity, our aim is to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries. Plan is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations.

About the role:

Plan has been operating in South Sudan since 2006 and works in four Program Areas. Plan Sudan 5 year Country Strategic Plan (CSP) runs to 2016, however with the recent creation of South Sudan as a new state, the CSP is under revision. The current key program focus for Plan South Sudan include strengthening the capacity of local partners, networks, Community Based Organisations, youth groups and women groups to actively participate in addressing their own issues; engaging in capacity development initiatives for government officials, Civil Society Organisations and community groups; working with partners and community organisations to advocate for policy changes that will enhance the wellbeing of children; facilitating and supporting effective service delivery in the Plan supported areas; and providing employment opportunities for the youth through skills and vocational training using the BEST model. Plan recognizes that the geographical context and recent history have left the communities of South Sudan highly vulnerable to emergencies from inter-ethnic conflicts, influx of returnees, food insecurity, long dry spells and flood. Plan has undertaken a need assessment and developed a response plan in 4 states viz. Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Lakes and Jonglei.

Currently, the implementation of the response plan is on-going in Jonglei focusing on conflict affected, returnees and vulnerable groups in addressing their priority needs- in areas of food assistance, assorted seeds, farm tools, clean water, sanitation and hygiene in the three targeted sates.

The purpose of this key senior-management post is to advise and lead Plan South Sudan emergency risk reduction, preparedness and response capacity ensuring that vulnerable children are reached and coping strategies restored as effectively as possible.

Dimensions of Role:
Accountable for Plan South Sudan risk reduction, preparedness and response to respond to emergencies delivered in line with Plan policies and values
Documentation presented to CMT and regularly reviewed of related strategies and their roll out across the entire SS team of around 100 people and partners capacity
Management of a core team of five and oversight and supervision of emergency teams (national coverage and localized) as required
Budget control of c£100-200,000 emergency quick-response
Oversight of emergency budgets as required

Main Responsibilities:

The postholder will be responsible for ensuring that;

A motivated DRM team is performing at the best of its ability
Resourcing plans developed in line with budget and programme needs
Recruitment where necessary of staff and consultants
Staff performance, development and support
All staff and operational partners are operating in line Plan’s Code of Conduct, Child Protection Policy and Security requirements
Team and sub team TORs developed with clear KPIs and reporting
Sub teams set up and deployed in response to emergencies
Mentor strong performers into senior positions

Plan Sudan has clearly documented and regularly reviewed SMART objectives for Risk Reduction, Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response
Continuous assessment with participation of children, partners and team of changing environment reported to CMT with action plans
Clear integration of risk reduction strategies with on-going core development work
Emergency scenarios mapped out and matrices of risk developed for strategic choices on resourcing to be made
Competency mapping of staff and partners to enable response and readiness choices to be made
Systems for review established and tested
Document the disaster preparedness processes and learning and share across Plan to support organizational learning and improve on own plans
Monitoring and evaluation processes which involve children are developed and utilized across the program to enable community involvement in shaping Plan’s emergency programs and enabling learning from implementation

Plan Sudan team and key partners are trained and ready to ensure risk reduction opportunities are noticed, preparation in continually improved and team and partners are ready
Design a role out schedule and manage the implementation of the disaster preparedness assessment/training packages to all Plan South Sudan country programme units, partners and CO staff.
Support capacity building initiative related to the implementation of the global Disaster Risk Management strategy.
Test out capacity with regular dummy runs and trials
Plan South Sudan will respond to children affected by emergencies in a timely manner with well funded work
Recognising hot-spots and likelihood of a need of response, develop concept notes for response, negotiate with potential implementing partners and seek funding
Manage budgets so that recovery ensures that the emergency response is well funded and strategic in its decisions
Oversee all reporting in the build up to, during and after responses
Represent Plan’s work in the media as required
Bring in scale-up teams to respond and ensure that they deliver in line with Plan’s values and policies Attend the South Sudan all stakeholders’ national platform for disaster risk reduction meetings and any other country based DRR network meetings with RO and IH to further refine the training tools/procedures

Plan South Sudan DRM programmes will be recognised as effective and well coordinated with others as a result of strategic networking
Engage externally with relevant actors and coordinate Plans work with other South Sudan based international/regional/national/institutions and agencies, IASC clusters, donors in line with the Disaster Risk Management strategy.
Responsible for engagement in Government of South Sudan DRM meetings (and with Emergency Response Coordinator) attend cluster meetings with OCHA.

Plan South Sudan’s DRM work will be part of Plan’s global experience contributing knowledge and learning from doing
Work closely (share/generate information/documentation/reports, identify issues facing children, alert communications of upcoming events etc.) with the country and at times regional level communication team to build an external profile around Plans Disaster Risk Management work and to advocate for relevant issues.

Dealing with Problems:
Operating and using your judgement in a harsh, post conflict working environment where the principles you may usually use can be conflicting
Setting up the DRM systems and processes from scratch in a new Country Program
Establishing meaningful working relations with external parties in a new and very fragile state
Harmonising multiple demands from client groups
Working effectively with multiple cultures and language
Working in an environment where rapid change might suddenly alter priorities

Communications and Working Relationships:
Internal
This post is a member of the CMT, resourcing, management team overlap and plans will be negotiated with them and must be supported by.
The loyalty and support of the local staff is crucial for effectiveness
Regional DRM teams will provide key support
IH DRM provides support and advice on policy
Plan’s National Organizations are key to the success of this role. Many have emergency response capacity and funding.
External
UN agencies such as FAO, WFP, UNICEF and UN clusters
(I) NGO Co-ordination groups,
SS Relief & Rehabilitation Commission representatives.
Government line Ministries at National, State and county level
Local NGOs

About you:

Knowledge
Excellent working knowledge of all key disaster response standards and their implications for response work is essential
Knowledge of the key current debates on effective risk reduction, preparedness and response methodologies – what works and why
Demonstrated knowledge of management and leadership theory and practice in challenging environments
Knowledge of how to demonstrate performance to targets
Knowledge of the international development sector through direct contact
Knowledge of the operational context in Sudan and the challenges facing DRM work
Experience with integrating DRM with development programming as desired

Skills
Proven skills in developing and leading high performance teams delivering on performance targets
Skills in participatory approaches involving clients in design and decision-making in projects
Direct experience of working with children and young people
Strong management skills in programming, resource management and safety and security
Clear and influential communication skills to put across and win support for plans and funding needs
Strong planning, monitoring and organizational skills in relation to DRM with good knowledge of the use of logical and result-based monitoring and evaluation and accountability frameworks, relevant SPHERE standards, and essential environmental mitigation measures.
Writing skills in English
Documented experience as a trainer/facilitator
Experience of working with institutional donors/fundraisers;
Computer literate in all core programs
Ability to work under harsh conditions like that of South Sudan and willing to travel despite challenging logistical constraints
Demonstrable ability to live and work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner. Has a capacity to make accurate self-assessment particularly in high stress and high security contexts.

Behaviours
Demonstrates clear respect to all and especially children without discrimination
Strongly drives performance forward in area of the business for which they are responsible
Involves others in setting and achieving goals
Creates strong sense of purpose within own part of the business and with stakeholders
Demonstrates honesty and transparency in holding self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and Plan’s standards of behaviour
Makes a strong contribution to wider strategy
Sees contribution of own part of the organisation in wider Plan and external context
Balances future vision with practical delivery
Awareness and sensitivity of self and others:
Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity
Cross culturally adept
Acts as a team player, willing to get the best outcome overall, adjusting own priorities if necessary Creates and delivers outcomes in complex partnerships, keeping key stakeholders on board Sets a strong learning culture in their part of the organisation
Uses opportunities across Plan to develop others
Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations
Leads major change while keeping staff and stakeholders on board
Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high security risks and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner

Languages:
Excellent written and spoken English required.

Location and Travel: This role will be based in the Country Office in Juba.
As first line for deployments, the role requires deployment to insecure and remote places.
South Sudan is considered as an unstable security environment with on-going insurgency and civil disruptions.

How to apply:

Please submit a full CV and a comprehensive cover letter setting out your reasons for applying for the post and outlining the qualifications experience knowledge and skills that you feel you can bring to the role at our website: http://plan-international.org/about-plan/jobs

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Published at 20-03-2012
Viewed: 338 times