I.  Position Information

Job Code Title:                  Early Recovery Network Adviser

Grade:                               SC-11

Department:                     UN Coordination Office

Reports to:                        UN Resident Coordinator

Duty Station:                     Manila, Philippines

Duration:                           Seven (7) months

II. Background and Organizational Context

On 25^th of September, the Typhoon Ketsana bore down on the country.  Heavy rains that followed for the next two days have caused the worst flooding in more than four decades.

A state of calamity has been declared in eight regions of the country, including Manila, where heavy downpours have inundated homes and uprooted people from their homes.  Electricity outages, inaccessible roads and lack of communications are hampering the rescue and relief efforts.

As of 15 October 2009, 3,157,533 people have been affected by Typhoon Parma, with 374 confirmed deaths.  A total of 4,320,699 people were affected by Typhoon Ketsana, with 337 confirmed deaths.  The number of affected persons staying in evacuation centers has decreased significantly. The affected populations living with host families urgently need humanitarian aid.

The Government of the Philippines has responded swiftly and efficiently.  They have also requested the support of the international community. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Country Team has received strong support from all over agencies and organizations.

At the request of the Resident Coordinator, an Early Recovery Advisor was initially deployed for 64 days (i.e. 25 October 2009 – 25 January 2010) to: 1) contribute to the revision of the Flash Appeal and its ER inter-cluster strategy; 2) engage with the PDNA process and provide technical inputs to its implementation; 3) link the early recovery response to reconstruction and longer-term recovery; and 4) support the RC and the IASC Country Team in coordinating the Early Recovery Network.

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the direct supervision of the RC, the ERA will build on the initial work done and perform the following tasks:

1.       Assist the RC in ensuring inter-cluster coordination and mainstreaming of ER in the UN agencies and international organizations’ response to the situation caused by the natural disasters:

§  Participate in discussions on ER at interagency coordination meetings and help develop the necessary mechanisms to ensure the incorporation of ER in the work of relevant agencies/clusters.

§  Generate and disseminate ER-specific information

§  Work closely with the ER Cluster Coordinator and the UNDP Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit (CPRU) for interagency coordination work

§  Work closely with OCHA and other humanitarian agencies towards strengthening the seamlessness between relief and ER

§  Work closely with development actors toward strengthening the interface between the ER and the long term recovery

§  Together with the ER Adviser for Mindanao, ensure that one single ER Network in the Philippines covers all pertinent issues

2.       Facilitate inter-cluster ER planning, providing support to the RC in the development of a UN Country Team/IASC Early Recovery Strategic Framework and Action Plan

§  Facilitate assessments and analysis of ER needs and related interventions of a UNCT/IASC Early Recovery Strategic Framework and Action Plan

§  Engage with the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) process in order to identify strategic linkages between ER and longer term reconstruction and recovery

§  Coordinate interagency/cluster input and participation in the development of an ER strategic framework for the revision and monitoring of the Flash Appeal.

3.       Help enhance capacities for ER for the government agencies through introduction of assessment tools, and sharing of global experiences and good practices in the effective implementation of ER programmes particularly in the conflict setting:

§  Hold consultations with relevant government agencies towards identifying priority ER capacity-building needs

§  Share relevant global policy guidelines and technical standards on ER responses

§  Upon request of the Government, assist in the development of an ER plan for government

4.       Assist in building capacities for ER within the IASC Country Team members:

§  Provide guidance and advice to the IASC Country Team, through the ER network, in the implementation of ER activities to ensure consistency of these to relevant policy guidelines and technical standards provided by the global Cluster Working Group on Early Recovery (CWGER)

§  Work closely with the ER Cluster Coordinator in the support of the coordination of interagency ER work within the Cluster members

§  Request guidance and inform the global CWGER and BCPR/ERT on ER progress, development, needs and areas of concern

5.       Facilitate the development of framework and tools for the M&E of ER activities and working closely with UNCO and UNDP Country Office to:

§  Ensure reporting on the process of ER in a timely, transparent and consolidated manner, identifying gaps and proposing alternatives

§  Document lessons learned from the implementation of ER practices

IV. Deliverables

§  A functioning ER network including TORs, principles of engagements and working modalities

§  An Inter-Cluster Early Recovery Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Typhoon-affected areas in Metro Manila and Northern Luzon Regions with clear linkages to existing humanitarian action and longer-term recovery frameworks

§  Provide technical inputs to the RC and the IASC Country Team

§  Keep regularly CWGER informed on ER progress, development, needs and areas of potential concern along with recommendations, which will be used for progress tracking and mission risk analysis

§  End of mission report and documentation

V. Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Corporate Competencies:

q  Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards

q  Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN

q  Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

q  Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional (UN) Competencies:

Knowledge and Learning Management

q  Promotes knowledge management among UN and non-UN partners

q  In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary programmatic issues regarding the transition from relief to recovery

q  Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development, acts on learning plans and applies newly acquired skills

q  Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside of the UN

Coordination Effectiveness

q  Ability to lead the implementation of UN joint programme activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships for Early Recovery

q  Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Management and Leadership

q  Focuses on impact and result for the client

q  Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills

q  Establishes priorities for self and other members of the UN Coordination office; schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources

q  In providing advice to RC, has the capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations; evaluates information accurately and identifies key issues required to resolve problems

q  Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

q  Builds strong relationship with clients and external actors

q  Manages conflict and stress, remaining composed and working as a mediator in crisis or antagonistic situations

q  Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

q  Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view

q  Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior

Development and Operational Effectiveness

q  Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, management and reporting

q  Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of strategic plans/framework

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Advanced university degree in political science, sociology, law, international relations, public administration, or other relevant field; or the equivalent combination of education and the extensive relevant professional experience in a related area.

Experience:

At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs and/or development, including at least 10 years of experience at the international level. Part of that experience must be in the field involved with high-level interactions and inter-agency coordination in post-conflict and/or post-natural disaster settings. 

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required for this post.

Other Skills:

§  Familiarity with programmatic issues surrounding relief to recovery transition

§  Demonstrated experience in humanitarian and/or development coordination especially at the field level and in working with Government officials, NGOs and donors

§  Excellent proven skills in analysis, negotiations and leadership and overall diplomatic skills

§  Proven ability to carry out representation at the highest governmental and diplomatic levels

§  Experience with the media

§  Familiarity with the IASC systems (coordination) tools and procedures

§  Demonstrated experience in analysis and problem solving

§  Proven experience on preparation of written reports prepared in an accurate and concise manner, and public presentation skills

§  Experience in project design, implementation and evaluation/impact analysis

§  Computer literacy, including familiarity with spreadsheets and power point presentations

§  Proven qualities and experience in team leadership and motivation, team building, oral/written communication. Strong personal skills and a demonstrated capacity to deal with colleagues and counterparts from different backgrounds and proven ability to function in a multi-cultural and multi-ethical environment

Summary of Critical Competencies for Immediate Response Situations:

Possess a comprehensive set of competencies enabling immediately taking on the challenging role of leading ER efforts in the designated area of responsibility – strategic, integrity, results orientation, teamwork, good interpersonal skills, well developed communication skills, sound judgment, analytical skills, flexibility, proactive engagement, innovation, risk management, gender and culturally sensitive, ability to work under pressure and demonstrates high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability.