Nigeria: Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator

Jun 1, 2020 | International Rescue Committee
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The International Rescue Committee is a global humanitarian aid, relief, and development nongovernmental organization. 

The conflict in North East Nigeria has displaced over 1.9 million people and shattered livelihoods of many more. Since 2014 IRC has been delivering support to communities affected; across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, with field offices in Maiduguri, Monguno, Gwoza, Damaturu, Yola and Mubi and a country office in Abuja. With over 700 staff we deliver humanitarian support and longer term recovery programming in health, nutrition, WASH, education, protection, economic recovery and livelihoods. We work in coordination with State government Ministries, WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR, UN OCHA and other development organisations. IRC is an active participant in coordination mechanisms to contribute to improved impact.

Scope of Work:

The IRC Nigeria seeks an experienced, dynamic individual for the role of Preparedness and Response Coordinator (PRC) will be to provide key cross-sector, cross-functional support to the country program and its implementing partners. The PRC is responsible for ensuring quality, coordinated, rapid emergency response, with an emphasis on timeliness and best use of resources; leading and building staff capacity on preparedness and acute response initiatives. The PRC’s responsibilities also include assessment and information gathering on early warning and emergency impacts; representation at various forums; and liaison with diverse stakeholders including IRC technical units, government partners, and international and local NGOs. This position reports to the Deputy Director Field Management and will be based in Maiduguri with frequent field travel.

He/she is responsible for coordinating the quality and effectiveness of IRC Nigeria’s acute first line emergency response in Northeast of Nigeria. The Preparedness and Response Coordinator (PRC) will be responsible for coordinating and providng technical expertise to the Country Leadership Group (CLG) in strengthening the country office’s overall capacity to be prepared for and respond to emergencies in accordance with IRC’s principles and practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Programming

  • Lead and coordinate the design and delivery of IRC acute emergency interventions in response to e.g. displacement  due to conflict or natural disasters, disease outbreak, and other emergencies as they arise and based on needs.
  • Initiate, and as necessary lead, needs assessments and data collection to feed into project design; Support field teams where needed to develop/refine tools for, and/or conduct and compile information from, rapid assessments.
  • Work closely with Supply Chain at planning stage of assessments to ensure that all logistical needs will be agreed upon and met.
  • Assess and collaborate to take advantage of opportunities for integrating preparedness, cash, and resilience components into new and ongoing programs.
  • Work closely with Grants and Finance departments in the development of budgets and proposals for emergency preparedness and response interventions, coordinating with other technical leads/specialist on project design and proposal development inputs.
  • Provide leadership during rapid onset emergency response start-up
  • Ensure emergency activities are carried out in accordance with the Sphere Minimum Standards and Humanitarian Charter in disaster response and other pertinent standards;
  • Strengthen linkages across all program sectors to ensure a strong, coherent intergrated outcomes approach in line with IRC Nigeria Strategic Action Plan
  • Closely monitor and manage program spending and serve as budget manager for emergency response grants.
  • Closely monitor and stay up to date on context-specific factors informing and/or impacting IRC planning and implementation, e.g. early warning data, security and access issues, other actor mapping, and make recommendations to SMT and program teams accordingly.
  • Work closely with M&E unit to ensure data collection and monitoring tools are aligned with and responsive to emergency program M&E frameworks, core indicators, and inclusive of the particular needs of vulnerable groups.
  • Ensure compliance with IRC policy, procedures and practices throughout preparedness and emergency response activities, including adherence to Do No Harm principles
  • Serve as lead focal point for IRC Nigeria’s multi-department, cross-functional Emergency Preparedness Planning (EPP), Country Emergency Team (CET), and Cash Program Prepositioning (CPP) initiatives, driving the implementation and further development of these initiatives with coordinated and efficient approaches; building and maintaining buy-in and capacity; and liaising with SMT and Regional/HQ Emergency Unit regarding progress and ongoing support needs.

Coordination and Representation

  • In collaboration with field coordinator/senior area managers and security focal points, closely monitor and communicate with key staff as needed on new or anticipated developments in population movements, security context, accessibility constraints, and natural or environmental phenomena.
  • Liaise with and support operational functions in their roles in effectively designing and delivering preparedness and response, particularly on cash, prepositioning, and timely procurement.
  • Represent IRC at relevant national level forums (e.g. cluster, working groups, and other coordination meetings; launches and briefings) providing feedback, analysis and recommendations to the senior management team.
  • Ensure that IRC’s response is well coordinated with other humanitarian actors, community leaders and and appropriate governmental authorities.
  • Identify opportunities for and take forward concrete actions toward enhancing coordination with other NGOs.
  • As needed, facilitate donor and HQ visits to the program sites.

Reporting & Documentation

  • As required, compile or contribute to the writing of assessment and project reports.
  • Compile and disseminate any data, reports, briefings, etc. (IRC’s or other agencies’) relevant to IRC preparedness and response activities in a timely fashion.
  • Contribute to the design and development of program briefing materials, and provide timely, quality inputs to information requests from IRC regional and HQ management and donors.
  • Lead the compiling and writing of periodic situation reports as required.

 Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in relevant field from a recognized university with at least five years of relevant work experience; or, master’s degree in relevant field from a recognized university with at least three years of relevant work experience.
  • Minimum of 5 years humanitarian aid experience in complex and natural disasters.
  • Experience must include work in a similar role within an international humanitarian/emergency in a complex humanitarian context
  • Strong understanding of the humanitarian emergency operating context, including Sphere, the humanitarian system, donors, security, civil military liaison and project cycle management
  • Exceptional coordination and inter-personal skills.
  • Background in situation analysis, needs assessments and project management.
  • Demonstrably excellent written and oral communication skills; strong English writing skills required.
  • Experience with cash programming is a plus.
  • Familiarity with major donor rules and regulations (e.g. USAID/OFDA, DFID, ECHO, SIDA).
  • Proficient in MS Office, MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint, Kobo

Personal Specifications:

  • Ability to work under pressure, long work hours, and high workload
  • Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks
  • Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team