Disaster Risk Management(DRM) Officer-RiPA

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.  Now, and for the future. We help people overcome poverty and conflict. Working with communities, we leverage local logic to help people transform their lives. To grow more food, earn higher incomes and ultimately advocate for their needs. We see global challenges as an invitation to pioneer innovative, sustainable solutions. During our 34-year history, our work has improved more than 170 million lives in more than 115 countries around the world. Mercy Corps Ethiopia invites motivated and qualified candidates to apply for the following vacant position.

Position Title:   Disaster Risk Management(DRM) Officer-RiPA

 Duty Station:  Afar/Semera

 Open Position:  one 

 Duration: 3.5 Months

 General Position Summary

Mercy Corps is implementing USAID funded Resilience in Pastoral Areas (RiPA) Project in Afar, Oromia and Somali Regions focused on stimulating increased production, productivity and marketing through more competitive livestock and livestock products markets; increasing communities’ resilience; diversifying livelihood economic opportunities and options through essential skills transfer; improving food security and nutrition and contributing to the wider knowledge on pastoral development.  Mercy Corps is seeking a short-term DRM Officer to work on DRM related activities in Chifra Woreda focusing on IDPs due to conflict.

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Officer will act as the key field level technical person supporting the implementation and accomplishment of all IDP Disaster Risk Management (DRM related activities that fall under the Resilience in Pastoral Areas (RiPA) Project Afar Conflict response activities.

For administrative issues, the position shall report to RIPA’s Afar’s Mercy Corps’ MSD Coordinator and technical supervision and direction from RiPA’s CARE DRM Specialist/ Advisor in FO and CO, the individual will be responsible for executing DRM related activities in Chifra Woreda. The position holder will work in an integrated manner, ensuring cohesion within an overall program approach both within RiPA CARE and Mercy Corps larger portfolio. The position will be responsible of field level technical implementation, staying within budget and hitting targets, as agreed upon with his/her direct supervisor. S/he will be expected to spend all the time in the field, working with government and community partners directly supporting technical implementation and providing capacity building support.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

●       Support inclusive, responsive and holistic multi-stakeholder planning and implementation, including community members and government with principal inclusion of community beneficiaries, in DRM related activities.

●       Ensure programs demonstrate the benefits and enhanced outcomes from multi-stakeholder collaboration around DRM.

●       Lead gender mainstreaming approaches in all DRM activities.

●       Support coordination and harmonization in approaches among all DRM stakeholders, including government and communities.

●       Support linking and harmonization of DRM activities and targets with other component activities to bring high impact by layering the interventions with the same target groups.

●       Coordinate regularly with the rest of the MSD team under RiPA, as well as with the Cluster Program Manager and wider pastoralist implementation team.

●       Work with supervisor to ensure that activities and strategies are implemented in a coherent and coordinated way with other program activities in the project implementation Woreda.

●       Work closely with DRM Specialist and Advisor and field RiPA teams to monitor and assess program performance against the plan including successes, challenges and lessons-learned.

●       With support of the DRM Specialist, facilitate regular review and reflection meetings with Woreda partners in the field to assess accomplishments, challenges and lessons-learned with respect to DRM activities.

●       Provide on-going feedback on Afar MSD Coordinator, DRM program progress to RiPA DRM Specialist and the Cluster Program Manager. Make recommendations on how programs can be improved and adjusted to incorporate on-going learning towards maximizing impact.

●       Keep field teams and Component 1 leadership team up-to-date on government and partner strategies and activities related to DRM; liaise with the CARE DRM team to ensure RiPA activities are appropriately harmonized with GO and NGO interventions and initiatives.

●       In consultation with direct supervisor/advisor, write and disseminate reports on the progress, approaches, success and challenges of DRM activities.

●       Support the development of any written materials related to technical implementation and outcomes related to DRM and climate change adaptation activities. This could include “how to” guidelines, outcome reports, success stories, or other best-practice documentation with respect to DRM.

●       Write other project reports and project documents as required;

●       Promote and adhere to the principles and objectives of Mercy Corps CARE Ethiopia’s programs;

REPRESENTATION AND COORDINATION:

●       In consultation with the RiPA MSD Coordinator and Cluster Program Manager represent RiPA DRM component at Woreda level (Chifra, Afar) technical coordination meetings and forums, as needed e.g. DRM and ECC/ taskforce meetings.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

●       BSc in the field of Disaster Risk Management, Climate Change and Society, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or other related fields or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

●       At least 3 years of experience in supporting DRM/Climate Change Adaptation, or related activities in the pastoral areas.

●       Experience in practical field-based emergency activity implementation.

●       Willingness and ability to perform field work and spend extensive time in remote areas.

●       Ability to engage with and represent CARE and Mercy Corps and its programs to communities, all levels of government, and the international community.

●       Experience in Do No Harm approach.

●       Ability to write clear and concise reports in English. Strong written and spoken English skills a definite advantage.

●       Strong, team player, well demonstrated organizational and interpersonal skills.

●       Experience working with multidisciplinary technical teams.

●       Ability to prioritize and manage multiple activities.

English fluency is essential, plus at least Afari language