Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist (Consortium Management Unit)

PRESENTATION OF THE ORGANIZATION

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian NGO which, for more than 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their vital needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly involved in the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the first cause of death in the world, SI's interventions provide expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in around twenty countries, SI's teams - 2000 people in total made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at headquarters, and a few volunteers - work with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION

General objective:

• The Consortium Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Specialist, as technical advisor contributes to the implementation of the AFD funded Disaster Risk Management (DRM) project and to the conception/implementation of the wider CMU (Consortium Management Unit DRR strategy. S/he is part of the Consortium Management Unit (CMU).
• S/he contributes to the development of CMU’s strategy and operational plans by supporting the mainstreaming of DRR in all agencies’ programming/technical sectors (WASH, Shelter, etc.) within this project and by suggesting improvements on how DRR components should be improved, implemented, conceived, enforced etc.
• S/he is also responsible for the quality and suitability of proposed approaches to DRR implemented by the consortium members teams supporting and advising on the use of relevant methodologies, tools, and coordination mechanisms.
• S/he leads the operational monitoring of the AFD DRM project and supports as necessary the operational monitoring of DRR mainstreaming within the member agencies of the consortium when requested and/or when needed.
• S/he leads the process of capitalization and the improvement of the consortium management unit methods and techniques in coordination with the MEAL department of the Lead agency, and support the Consortium Coordinator, in all matters of representation, reporting, and advice formulation.
• S/she is responsible for supporting the French Red Cross (FRC) and the Lebanese Red Cross and the CNRS-L in the design and implementation of the EWS component

The main challenges:

Main challenges are around establishing and maintaining very good relations with stakeholders the internal consortium members such as the French and the Lebanese Red Crosses, the CNRS and the DRM-Unit; Also and more importantly the relations with local authorities and state parties such as the concerned ministries, the governorate committees etc. A secondary challenge is around operational feasibility, where the incumbent has to search constantly for ways to dissolve challenges around operational implementation, by leading or advising on tasks for different agencies. A tertiary challenge, is around shaping the implementation of the Early Warning Early Action system, and follow up on the implementation of the FRC-CNRS signed contract around this EWEAS.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

• Handover with the current expert
• Understanding the Consortium’s dynamics and the details of the project
• Understand and lead on the EWEAS implementation
• Work with the CMU Coordinator on introducing the changes to the project and monitoring /follow up on all project technical aspects related to the different mandates of the member agencies.

Responsibilities and main activities:

Strategic orientation: In close collaboration with the consortium agencies, and under the line management of the consortium coordinator, and with the technical support by the French Red Cross DRR   Technical Advisor at HQ, the Consortium DRR specialist will support in establishing the Consortium Management Unit strategic plans in concordance with the project design and the changing environmental parameters. 

• In coordination with Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) and Solidarités International (SI  ), contribute to the development of a harmonized approach for the implementation of the AFD DRM project to enable the project to achieve its expected objectives and at the same time ensure its quality and coherence among consortium partners and components. This includes but not limited to working with consortium partners to develop harmonized SOPs for project activities, ensuring the river basin approach is adhered to, leading the technical supervision project M&E activities including the final review/ evaluation leading the supervision of the LRC’s CBDRM activities and the implementation of FRC’s EWS components. 
• Support in the creation and update of the interaction project maps, that shows digitally the whereabouts of project implementation progress, actors, interactions, risk etc.
• Suggest modifications/ adaptation of project activities in line with the fast-changing environment in Lebanon while keeping the project in the right track towards the set-out objectives.
• Provide technical support in DRR programming work upon request from partners in line with the Implementing Committee of the project.
• Support the development of DRR guidelines, strategies and building capacity of consortium partners including but not limited to creating a training tool (basic introduction course) on DRR in general and integrated flood risk management in particular to be delivered to all newcomer’s members of the CMU or new staff working on the project.

Relevance and appropriateness of projects and technical suitability: Part of the consortium management unit, the consortium DRR specialist, is a key player in technical coordination

• Lead the elaboration of assessments and studies (definition of terms of references, validation of proposals including validation of technical tools and methodologies, follow up/supervise the implementation and validation of deliverables). Specifically follow up, monitor and communicate to all consortium partners the progress and realization of the initial river basin diagnosis as well as the following feasibility studies.   
• Ensure that all activities implemented by the consortium members align with AFD technical frameworks.
• Coordinate efficiently with the HSE focal person, to ensure that HSE audits, and supervisory requirements are being held and implemented, the role here is purely consultative, following the instructions of the Consortium Coordinator.
• Contribute to the coordination with partners regarding the field findings for better improvement and lessons learnt.
• Support the creation of databases on national DRR programmes, based on the directives of the consortium coordinator, and in close collaboration with the Disaster Management Unit that operates under the auspices of the prime minister.
• Participate in the implementing partner committees, prepare technical presentations in coordination with the CNRS, SI and LRC, and the (needs) of the Consortium Management Unit.
• Participate in the communication plan, might be a presenter in videos, posts and pictures, to talk and explain on the technicalities of the project.

Coordination, technical support and operational monitoring:

• Participate actively in the creation of operations plans for the interventions on the river segments; make sure the feasibility studies, the environmental impact assessment, and the contractors TORs are in line with the DRR approaches, quality assurance and project coherence.
• Actively contribute to the successful realization of the technical task forces; taking into consideration the CNRS recommendation, in matters of segment and control measures prioritization.
• Actively contribute, in coordination with LRC and SI, to the elaboration of the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan of the project and its follow up. Participate in the meetings with the governorate committees, especially conception meetings, but also follow up meetings; Be prepared in coordination with other DRR specialists from partner agencies, to present technical opinions, and provide advice based on the Sendai framework and for the Arab States the Morocco/Rabat declaration.

Capitalization:

• In collaboration with the infrastructure coordinator and the MEAL coordinator co-lead the technical capitalization of SI activities as part of the AFD project
• Actively contribute to lessons learnt workshops organized by the MEAL task force.
• Facilitate sharing of experience and best practices with partners to guide the direction of the AFD DRM project, coordinate closely with the MEAL coordinator, to build up the DRR learning corpus.

HR related tasks:

• Lead the welcoming and briefing of employees working on AFD DRM activities if any.
• If needed, lead the implementation of technical training in line with operational needs as identified and/or requested

Reporting / communication / representation:

• Participate in the DRR conferences, forums, gatherings, or any event if requested by the Consortium coordinator
• Participates in the consolidation of SI activity reports and donor reports,
• Review, edit the text/annexes of reports as requested by the consortium coordinator

ORG CHART POSITION (reporting and functional relationships)

• Line manager: Consortium Coordinator
• Line Report(s) Monthly site reps
• Functional Manager: none (by the FRC technical advisor will be advising – once a month)
• Functional Report(s): none

PROFILE NEEDED

• Studies : Social /Management studies – natural sciences – engineering – geography or a relevant field  (at least a BA in one of those disciplines from a renowned university)
• Experience : More than 3 years in DRR or similar sector / preferably in Lebanon
• Language : English French Arabic
• IT : Microsoft Office – GIS

SI WILL OFFER YOU

• A salaried post :  2,300 USD as basic salary
• Vacation : 1.75 paid leave per month
• Social and medical cover

We actively encourage women to seize opportunities, break barriers, and excel in their careers. Join our team, where your skills, ideas, and contributions will be valued and nurtured, fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment.