Program/Project – Disaster Risk Reduction Officer

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 30 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in six regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

IRC is planning to undertake coordinated livelihood recovery and resilience building support for disaster affected households in Konso, Alle, Derashe woreda/zones of SNNPR. The main objective of the livelihood's project is to improve the capacities of drought/conflict affected HHs, small holders’ women communities and their institutions to respond to and to reduce disaster risks proactively and to adapt to long term trends of food insecurity. This will be achived through increased crop/livestock production and efficiency of smallholder farmers communities through the promotion and use of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices, diversification of livelihoods and disaster risk management.

The project Officer position is dedicated to the implementation of programming crafted to initiate support and strengthening of community-based disaster risk management.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Program Officer- DRR is the primary field-level position for planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of community-based disaster risk reduction related activities in Konso, alle and Dersahe woredas. The Position can be tasked with implementing components of DRR activities (during pre and post recovery activities). The Officer spends most of their time in the field, identifying target communities, establishing relationships with community leaders, establishing community-based disaster risk management committees, leading all aspects of field-level operations.

Position objectives:

Successful implementation of CMDRR related activities

• Undertake frequent participatory vulnerability and capacity assessments using standard tools

Participate in targeting and verification target groups

• Establish and strengthen CMDRR committees and link to formal structure

Maintain data base for target clients

• Train target groups in community-based disaster risk management/or participatory disaster risk management
• Establish and maintain transparent, functional relationships with target communities
• Ensure daily activities at the field level follow implementation guidelines

Support target clients t develop contingency plans

• As appropriate mediate any conflicts between beneficiaries and IRC.
• Work closely with woreda and zonal line offices particularly agriculture and rural development office

Responsibilities: -

Grant Implementation

• Apply technical knowledge and skills in relation to CMDRR to implement and/or assist in community delivery of program activities
• Promptly identify and recommend solutions to technical issues in relation to disaster risk management
• Coordinate progress against grant workplan; promptly identifying any current or potential delays
• Prepare Purchase Requests for program supplies/activities and undertake field procurement as designated and authorized
• Coordinate program supply inventory levels; perform monthly spot-checks on program inventory
• Work with and provide timely technical support to the IRC’s implementing partners; maintain encouraging and constructive relations with partner staff
• Work with schools/ community-based organization to promote awareness/ knowledge in disaster risk management
• Fully comply with IRC safety and security procedures and provide input to security monitoring and assessments to enable and promote a safe and secure environment for program implementation
• Identify and engage with beneficiary communities, public (research institutes private sectors (inputs suppliers
• Train community members and key authorities in CMDRR

Grant Monitoring & Reporting

• Ensure all monitoring activities are fully documented, including detailed and timely data collection as required under the grant and for IRC M&E purposes
• Produce/coordinate to IRC and donor reports as per set schedules (monthly, quarterly, and annually) on grant activities, indicators, and achievements
• Assist in the collection of data, assessments, and proposal development for the sector.

Coordination & Representation

• Work collaboratively with IRC logistics and finance staff as required to process Purchase Requests and Payment Vouchers
• As requested, undertake/participate in liaison, coordination, and information sharing activities with national NGOs

Education and experience

• Minimum BSC degree (MSC Preferred) in Disaster risk management (CMDRR), agricultural economics and other related fields
• Minimum two years professional experience in disaster risk management
• INGO experience preferred
• Personal qualities: Works well in and promotes collaboration, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.
• Proficiency in English and) preferred or required