Ethiopia: Disaster Management Advisor

In support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Ethiopia, the US Forest Service Office of International Programs (USFS) may seek one full-time disaster management advisor to work with Ethiopia’s National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC) to implement specific aspects of the Ethiopian National Incident Management System (NIMS). This document outlines activities and objectives for one full-time Disaster Management Advisor to NDRMC.

Background:

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations and viewed by many as the cradle of humanity. The landscape and topography that has nurtured this civilization are incredibly diverse—from high Afro-alpine vegetation to desert and semi-desert scrublands to four large river systems. The Great Rift Valley bisects the country and provides habitat to hundreds of endemic plant and animal species. Ethiopia is one of the world’s fastest growing countries, home to almost 97 million people. Ethiopia also hosts the African Union headquarters and many other international organizations, elevating its importance globally. It’s location in the western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley and the Horn of Africa increases its vulnerability to disasters, including earthquakes, floods, drought, and terrorism.

Drought, soil erosion, deforestation, overgrazing, population pressures, and climate change are all threats to Ethiopia’s natural resources and the rural people who rely on them. Ethiopia’s climate, geography, and geopolitical location also leave the country vulnerable to emergencies, including drought, flooding, seismic events, and refugees seeking protection and assistance.

Since 2008, the US Forest Service (USFS) has been collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (most recently re-established as the National Disaster Risk Management Commission) and the Fire and Emergency Prevention and Rescue Authority (FEPRA) to enhance disaster management and build capacity in disaster preparedness and response. The program aims to integrate components of the US National Incident Management System including multi-agency coordination systems, emergency operations centers, the incident command system, and comprehensive emergency planning. Since its inception, the program, with the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Ethiopia, has trained over 900 emergency managers in Ethiopia and functions in six regions around the country. USFS programs address a range of complex emergencies in Ethiopia including urban disasters, flooding and drought. Urban technical assistance focuses on firefighter training, capacity building in search and rescue capabilities, and all-hazard operations planning for the City of Addis Ababa.

Position Description:

To evaluate and implement appropriate disaster management methodologies and tools, NDRMC is seeking a Disaster Management Advisor for a one-year secondement. At the end of the year, it is anticipated that NDRMC (and associated regional bureaus) will deploy aspects of NIMS in multiple regions and be able to enhance and further professionalize emergency response in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Disaster Management Advisor will include but are not limited to:

• Establish and mentor emergency operations centers (EOCs) and coordination platforms such as MACs in interested regions and federal level. Revise and update EOC, MAC, and ICS operations manuals, adapted to the unique needs of target regions. Assess the needs of EOCs and provide mentoring as needed. Get deployed to the regions to activate EOCs in case of the emergencies.

• Initiate training and capacity building activities for NDRMC regional staff and maintain a mentorship role with active regional "Master Trainers" and ensure their skills are refreshed and up to date. Brief the senior officials of the region in order to advocate for the NIMS operationalization.

• Maintain effective relationship with senior leadership of NDRMC and FEPRA to motivate them and advocate for the NIMS coordination structures to ensure their buy-in. Advocate for the decentralized authority for NIMS component activation, disaster declaration, response planning and resource mobilization.

• Provide technical assistance to FEPRA during the Emergency Operation Plan (EOP), and to address their other capacity building and mentoring needs.

• Assist NDRMC to improve timely and effective two way flow of information between woredas to the central level that informs decision making around early warning, disaster preparedness and response.

• Prepare quarterly and annual reports for USAID and USFS; Provide thorough program analysis and disaster management recommendations to the USFS/IP program manager and USAID;

• Initiate and maintain contacts with other organizations in Ethiopia including UNOCHA and other coordination bodies and clusters to improve their knowledge about NIMS and coordination structures for the disaster and emergency management.

• Maintain a strong knowledge and awareness of disaster management and emergency coordination in Ethiopia, including relevant stakeholders and national policies to ensure the relevance and complementarity of the advisory role;

Qualifications:

· Minimum 10 years’ experience working in disaster management;

· Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in disaster management or related field;

· Professional written and spoken proficiency in English required;

· Prior experience implementing NIMS (Incident Command System, Emergency Operations Centers, Multi-Agency Coordination groups, etc) and conducting NIMS training;

· Prior experience serving on an Incident Management Team or staffing an Incident Command Post;

· Proven ability to work well with multi-level stakeholders; strong interpersonal skills; and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;

· Familiarity with disaster management and development issues in Ethiopia preferred;

· Strong writing, organizational, and communication skills;

· Ability to represent the US government at meetings and in interactions with international donors, local governments, international NGOs, and civil society;

· Strong ability to work independently in difficult conditions while maintaining productivity;

· USAID or other donor experience strongly preferred.

Communications and Reporting

Quarterly update notes containing highlights of work and progress are expected, as well as more detailed reports on specific training events the Disaster Management Advisor participates in and/or organizes. The Advisor will also produce quarterly and annual work plans, as well as a final report. The Advisor will engage in timely performance reporting, which will describe achievements in terms of progress toward meeting the indicators, as well as the goals and objectives of this initiative. The Advisor will report to the USFS/IP Ethiopia Program Coordinator in coordination with USAID/Ethiopia. At NDRMC, the Advisor will work in close coordination with designated counterparts to be determined and report to the Director of Early Warning and Response Directorate. The reporting structure within NDRMC will be commensurate with the incumbent’s experience.

Position Location: Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with potential for local travel in support of project activities. This is a 1-year consultancy with potential for an additional year.

Recruitment Process

· If USFS is able to secure a candidate with the desired skillset, the successful applicant will be hired through a contractor.

· NDRMC will provide office space and logistical support (IT connections, modest staff assistance) to the Advisor.

Note: The USFS, with USAID funding, will provide the Advisor with a laptop for work purposes. It is incumbent upon the Government of Ethiopia to provide a suitable work environment for the Advisor, including the necessary work tools within NDRMC, in order to both maximize the potential of this investment and ensure sustainability of the effort.

Please email your resume or CV and a cover letter to: IPJobs@meticorp.com. Please include “Ethiopia Disaster Management Advisor” in the subject line. In the body of the email, please indicate where you saw this posting. METI is an Equal Opportunity Employer (www.meticorp.com).