Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has an established record of supporting disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Haiti – through a major programme which has been operational since 1999. It is a trusted partner of government institutions working in this area. UNDP’s current programme ‘Support for the National System for Risk and Disaster Management' focuses on five priority areas:  
  • Support for institutional capacity development to government and coordination;
  • Disaster preparedness and recovery;
  • Risk identification, with a particular focus on seismic risk reduction;
  • Public information/awareness raising, training and information technology; and
  • Integration of disaster risk reduction into recovery and development, with a particular focus on urban risk reduction.
The programme has an important component of supporting continued and expanded support to the Civil Protection Agency (DPC) at both national and departmental levels. The DPC is the lead body within government for emergency preparedness and response. Since its creation important progress has been made in terms of its capacity and expertise. This is particularly noticeable in recent times in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake when the DPC was heavily affected and its credibility was put into question. The fact that today DPC is once again recognised at both national and sub-national levels as being the responsible government institutional for preparedness and response, and has been highly responsive to tropical storms in 2010 and 2011, is testimony to its strength. This said DPC continues to be highly dependent on donor support – and in larger terms Haiti remains heavily reliant on international assistance when disasters occur. 
 
Since 2011, there has been a significant decrease in humanitarian funding and resources, and the related transition of the cluster system to the government. The result is that during the 2012 and 2013 cyclone seasons the government will not be able to rely as much on the humanitarian community. In addition, 2012 marks the start of the MINUSTAH draw down. There is strong political pressure to see MINUSTAH withdraw over the next 5 years – this will also result in a significant reduction in nationally based assets (e.g. man power/expertise; equipment and communications). In addition, the DPC have seen its long term resources reduced in comparison with the previous years and will have to rely on reduced technical and financial support. In this context and considering that the DPC depends widely on international capacities and donors, the government will have to face much more pressure – in terms of resources mobilisation and capacities for an adequate response to disasters. 
 
In this context, the Disaster and Risk reduction unit is in need of a targeted international post. An important function of the post will be to support critical capacity of the National System for Disaster Risk Management (SNGRD) to coordinate the actions of NGOs and other organization intervening in the field of DRR in order to have a more coherent and comprehensive approach on DRR in Haiti. This function has begun highly strategic since the humanitarian coordination system is phasing down and transition towards sustainable coordination mechanisms is on its way.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head of Unit:
  • Support the coordination DRR NGO working group, and thematic sub-working groups in close coordination with UNDP and government/DPC counterparts. This include :
  • Organizing meetings and workshops of the working group and sub-working groups;
  • Maintaining continuous contacts with members of NGO working group and there activities;
  • Developing and/or facilitating relationship and partnership between members of the group and other actors involved in DRR in Haiti, including organizations from Haitian civil society;
  • Facilitating relationship between the members of the group and national authorities;
  • Following up on all decisions taken by the group.
  • Support to the role of coordination of the DPC teams at the departmental level – both in terms of developing tools/processes for coordination of NGOs in their departments – but also in terms of them providing support to the municipalities in the departments.
  • Provide assistance in the transition of the coordination role for the humanitarians/OCHA to government.
  • Support UNDP’s role in coordination of the informal donor group.
  • Develop links between the Ministry of Planning and the DPC in order to integrate better NGO coordination in the DRR sector to the more global NGO platform coordination led by the MPCE.
  • Coach Haitian team members and also DPC counterparts to take over this coordination role and responsibilities within a year period.
  • Support monitoring and reporting activities related to ECHO’s support to UNDP DRR program.

Impact of results:

This post will support government effort to effectively monitor and coordinate the large range of actors involved in DRR activities across the country. It is expected a better monitoring of DRR initiatives in the country and a harmonized implementation of the national DRR strategy. As a result, DRR activities in the country will be better targeted; they will reach a larger part of the population and; they will be more effective.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards
  • Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  • Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treat all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies:
  • Strong team player;
  • Capacity development skills;
  • Good capacity to coordinate a wide range of expert views and provide coherent policy advice.
Management and Leadership:
  • Focus on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
  • Focus on building capacities of national team, including through patient mentoring of inexperienced colleagues, careful to avoid being perceived as patronizing;
  • Capable of planning, prioritizing and deliver tasks on time to meet goals in a highly pressured environment;
  • Capable to respond flexibly and positively to change through active involvement and generation of innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
  • Function at high level in teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
  • Able to contribute to effective management of a senior and multi-cultural team under extreme time pressure;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • At minimum a Masters degree in a development studies, social sciences, international relations, politics, economics, geography, disaster management, climate change or environment.
Experience:
  • 2 years minimum of relevant work experience in the field of disaster management;
  • Previous experience of working on NGO coordination and network development;
  • Prior experience of working in a developing country;
  • Previous experience of working with developing country government is an advantage;
  • Previous experience of working with UN agencies or international organizations on disaster management issues (preferably with UNDP);
  • Previous experience working with NGO or community based organization is a advantage;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and work well with diverse people: race, nationality, age and gender sensitivity.

Language requirements:

  • Fluency in French and English;
  • Knowledge of Haitian Creole and Spanish is an asset