UNICEF is recruiting an Emergency and Resilience National Coordinator to support a three pronged approach to systems strengthening namely:
i) supporting key integrated programmes that advance commitments in social protection and shock responsive systems, as well as integrated early childhood development – including ongoing activities in child protection, with End Violence Against Children (EVAC) and End Gender Based Violence (EGBV); (ii) supporting the governments response to the impact of Hurricane Beryl; (iii) building the climate and resilience agenda across economic sectors
Under the guidance of the Emergency Officer, the UNV will be accountable for:
• Coordinating UNICEFs interventions as part of the Government of Grenada Hurricane Beryl response
• Supporting the design of shock responsive systems to better anticipate and respond to shocks in an intersectoral and coordinated manner
• Promote and advance the climate and resilience agenda in Grenada
• Support the harnessing of partnerships and networks for promotion and leveraging of results for children
Collaboration will be also sought with key partners, including other United Nations Agencies supporting Grenada in accelerating achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and more specifically building shockresponsive systems and resilience of communities.
Additionally, the UN Volunteer will provide critical support in accelerating results in UNICEF’s overall climate and resilience agenda which cuts across the programmatic areas of education, social protection, and child protection and also Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Emergency Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Emergency and Resilience Coordinator will:
Social Protection and Shock Responsive Systems
• Support social protection activities such as coordination with government and other counterparts as well as implementation of initiatives, including social protection in emergencies.
• Work closely with UNICEF’s sections to technically and operationally lead the formulation, preparation, and implementation of cash transfer programmes across sectors, ensuring adoption of best practices and sound technical approaches in cash transfer programming, to respond to shocks and support the most vulnerable and affected populations
• Establish and nurture engagement with National Disaster Management as well as other relevant Ministries such as Social Development.
• Support the establishment of sectoral plans that include measures for meeting children’s needs around the components of shock responsiveness
• Support the implementation of effective emergency preparedness and preventive measures in Grenada, enhancing cross-sectoral collaboration, taking into account of the lessons learned from past emergencies.
Hurricane Beryl Response
• Support the planning, design, implementation and administration, monitoring and reporting of programmes focused on ensuring a child-centred response to the impacts of Hurricane Beryl.
• Monitor, consolidate and analyzing the progress reported by the implementing partners, and other humanitarian actors in the field, further developing/strengthening the monitoring systems in place
• Oversee timely delivery of assistance and supplies, monitor the appropriate and effective use of UNICEF resources/inputs, including Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP).
• Provide regular updates on the Situation Assessments/Analysis, identifying opportunities to UNICEF and national authorities to address advance interventions
• Coordinate with UNICEF personnel to ensure that donor funds are being optimally implemented and to provide technical guidance to implementing partners for reporting tools and requirements.
• Facilitate knowledge management, sharing, and capacity building on UNICEF activities with partners.
• Ensure a consistent flow of information on the humanitarian situation as well as coordinate preparedness activities during times of non-emergency.
• Participate in national and UN coordination meetings
Climate and Resilience Agenda
• Provide technical support for strengthening integration of linkages between climate change,
Disaster Risk Resilience and children’s needs
• Work with sections to identify opportunities, solutions and concrete actions to address climate change, environmental degradation and reduce the climate impact on children
• Continuous, effective and strategic coordination, communication, consultation and liaison are maintained with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, donors, private sector, religious organisations in support of the special needs of children and women affected by emergency situations based on the Core Commitment for Children.
• Engage with stakeholders to support the mainstreaming of climate change and Disaster Risk Resilience in UNICEF-key sectors (child protection, education, social policy/social protection and WASH),
• Support to Grenada Country Implementation Plan (CIP) roll out
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
Results/expected outputs:
• Comprehensive preparedness and coordination for disaster risk management and humanitarian response, linked to Core Commitments for Children undertaken
• Social protection activities such as coordination with government and other counterparts supported, including social protection in emergencies.
• Increased national partnerships and financing for development opportunities in support of UNICEF’s MCPD, Country Implementation Plan and joint programming initiatives.
• Implementation and monitoring provided of UNICEF activities supporting the Hurricane Beryl response.
• UNICEF resilience agenda is promoted and advanced
• Partnerships and networks are harnessed for promotion and leveraging of results for children
• Best practices and results at national levels are documented and shared as knowledge
management.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed
Furthermore, UN Volunteers (UNV) are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers,
counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area o
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values
programme/project management, and/or related technical area; including in the following technical areas: (protection, social protection, education and skills development, climate and Disaster Risk Resilience, etc).
• Demonstrated experience (at least 4 years) in coordination, preferably in emergencies
• Demonstrated experience at national or international levels coordination of various entities/sectors in programme management, joint planning, implementation, results based management, monitoring, reporting and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience with supporting integrated programmes and in leading advocacy and coordination efforts
• Demonstrated experience in managing partnerships and working with communities
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Human Rights, Gender equality and diversity awareness
• Synthesis of information and report writing
• Background/familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.
• Knowledge about the UN is desirable.
Eastern Caribbean countries and territories are characterized by notable political stability, with open and competitive democratic systems. Social indicators are relatively good among ECA countries/territories, which points to the commitment of governments to improving the quality of life of its residents. The security level in Grenada is low (2). All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UN Department of Safety and Security procedures and recommendations during their assignment. In relation to housing, different types of short and long-term accommodation are available: standalone houses, houses in gated compounds, apartments. Accommodation options are varied and include fully furnished and/or fully serviced, or unfurnished.
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials.
The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.
The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health, and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.
Specific UN Volunteer entitlements, including insurance coverage, Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), are available at https://app.unv.org/calculator.
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos
Note: Nationals from CARICOM member States holding a Skills Certificate are welcome to apply for this position.