Regional Disaster Response Team (Rdrt) Officer

Background TheInternationalFederation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies “Strategy 2020” recognizes the changing demography of the world, the increasing impact of climate change, unplanned urbanization, high levels of violence in society, involuntary migration pressures, new and emerging diseases, environmental degradation and the insecurity of access to water, food and natural resources as underlying causes of vulnerability. These trends are likely to result in different patterns of vulnerability as they interact in the future. Furthermore an already emerging pattern of increased small to medium scale disasters will require realignment of preparedness, response and recovery capacities of theInternationalFederation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.   In order to meet these challenges Strategy 2020 has three strategic aims, to: Aim 1- Save lives, protect livelihoods and prepare for and recover from disasters and crises. Aim 2- Enable safer and healthy living. Aim 3- Promote social inclusion and culture of non-violence.   To achieve these ambitious aims theInternationalFederation will seek to build strong National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, pursue humanitarian diplomacy to prevent and reduce vulnerability and function effectively as theInternationalFederation.   IFRC MENA Zone office is working closely with the national societies in the Zone to develop and enhance the response preparedness capacity to imminent crises and potential disasters in a professional and dynamic manner. Several NSs are mandated /committed to implementing disaster management programmes, and each has several years of experience in disaster response and emergency operations management.   RDRTs are a cost-effective regional disaster response support mechanism that is entirely staffed by members of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The aim of establishing RDRTs is to actively promote building of regional capacities in disaster management.   An RDRT team is composed of National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society volunteers and/or staff, usually members of their own national response teams, trained to work as a team and bring assistance to National Societies in neighbouring countries.  They are made up of a core group of people with cross-sectoral expertise, such as health, logistics, water and sanitation, as well as generalist relief workers. Most are vastly experienced at providing disaster response in their own countries as well as regionally.   Purpose As a member of the zone disaster management department, the Regional Disaster Response Team (RDRT) Officer will focus on the overall process related to building strong RDRTs in the three regions in MENA, including North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf.  He or she will do so by providing support to the national societies in these three regions and the Federation’s regional and country teams in RDRT exercises and will ensure the timely implementation of response preparedness measures related to RDRTs.  While seeking agreements between the Federation and National Societies, the RDRT officer will develop deployment protocols (related to the database, contracts, Terms of Reference, insurance, travels arrangements) and seek to provide training opportunities to the NS.   Key tasks and responsibilities   Ensuring regional teams are both able to support national disaster response teams and work alongside international teams where necessary.  Mapping interest of NS and current resources.    After gaining buy-in of NS, developing the draft MoUs for both deploying and receiving national societies for RDRT deployments and following up on updating these MoUs. Taking into consideration emphasizing the IDRL efforts.   Supporting the development of a database to store information about qualified NS personnel available for regional deployment and NS stock available for responses in the region.  Progressively working towards building an institutional memory for RDRTs by keeping the database up-to-date, alerting and deploying RDRT personnel upon request of a National Society.   Developing the deployment protocol, capacity and resource mapping within a clear and articulated response framework.   Ensuring all necessary administrative support for the RDRT is provided – including making travel arrangements, maintaining phone lists, filing, and correspondence.   Preparing field equipment, including computers and telecommunications, is kept at the delegations and deployed with the team.   Supporting/conducting trainings and workshops for RDRT members upon the need, and maintaining the standardized RDRT training curriculum in English and Arabic.   Providing technical support in practical RDRT exercises, taking into account the risk trends in the region, various scenarios, humanitarian trends and mandate of the NSs.   Identifying the gaps in capacity and resources and develop work plans for implementing necessary activities, enabling effective and efficient response by the national societies and the Federation.   Facilitating learning around RDRT approach and deployments across the regions. Documenting and sharing that with NSs and partners.   Preparing and following up on all types of correspondence related to RDRT. Maintaining all communications records of NS and PNS.   Working closely with DM coordinator on International Disaster Response Law (IDRL) profile (training – communication plan) when possible. Prepare needed reports for RDRT related activities; this includes progress reports and training reports. Developing NIT training package and disseminating that to national societies in the region. Other assignments requested upon the need to support DMU plans and activities.     Duties applicable to all staff   Actively work towards the achievement of the IFRC goals. Abide by and work in accordance with theRed Cross/Red Crescentprinciples. Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.       Person specification Education/Qualifications Required Preferred University degree in relevant area or equivalent experience required X   Technical training in disaster response, NIT/RDRT, SoPs X     Experience     Minimum of 3 years’ experience in disaster management X   Field experience in coordinating and managing disaster response operations X   Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation X   Experience in working within the RC/RC Movement X   Experience in developing tools and guidance, providing technical assistance and in establishing and maintaining networks X     Skills/knowledge     Fluent in spoken and written English and Arabic ( Essential ) X   Significant experience with disaster response planning and in the implementation of other emergency measures. X   Ability to manage human resources in emergencies X   Experience of coordinating diverse teams across dispersed locations. X   Flexible and adaptable to work effectively in a multicultural and multi-sectoral environment and ability to travel at short notice X   Computer knowledge as a user – self-supporting in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint X   Competencies     Professionalism Communications Teamwork Accountability National Society Relations Building Alliances