Oxford Policy Management
Oxford Policy Management Limited (OPM) is one of the world’s leading international policy development and management consultancies. We enable strategic decision-makers in the public and private sector to identify and implement sustainable solutions for reducing social and economic disadvantage in low and middle-income countries.
We seek to bring about lasting positive change using analytical and practical policy expertise.
Building Resilience in Ethiopia (BRE) Programme
The Building Resilience in Ethiopia (BRE) programme is co-funded by UKAID and USAID and is intended to assist Ethiopia ‘become more resilient to climate and humanitarian shocks.’ This programme will support ‘the Government of Ethiopia in leading and delivering an effective, more self-financed and accountable response to climate and humanitarian shocks’. Under the BRE programme, OPM is the Managing Agent for the delivery of technical assistance (TA) across three work streams: health, disaster risk management (DRM) and finance.
The DRM Work stream
The National Disaster Risk Management Policy (DRM Policy) and DRM Strategic Programme and Investment Framework (SPIF) comprehensively outline the Government of Ethiopia’s (GoE) plan to prepare, manage and mitigate crises. The National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC) holds primary responsibility for formulation of policy and for coordinating the activities of Other Government Departments (OGDs), civil society, private sector and international partners. The DRM Policy and SPIF, as well as the DRM mainstreaming Guidelines were approved in 2013/14 and 2017 respectively.
After 13th of March 2020, when the prevalence of Covid-19 pandemic was confirmed by the government, the normal work of Government and its international partners is suspended as the country is focused on preparedness and mitigation. BRE is working closely with the NDRMC, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Finance and other international development partners to support the preparation, response efforts and to provide analysis on the impacts of COVID-19.
As the result of requests from the NDRMC and based on the preliminary result of the survey conducted by BRE and US FS, BRE is intending to support Afar, Somali, Benshangul, Gambella and Harai Regional states to respond for Covid-19 by deploying Technical Assistants (TAs).
In addition to supporting the government on COVID-19 pandemic response, The DRM Work stream will be providing technical support and policy implementation to NDRMC focused on DRM Mainstreaming, Coordination and strengthening Early Warning system, Logistics Supply Chain as well as efforts in seeking Durable Solution for the internally displaced.
The Roles
The TAs will be embedded in the regional DRM offices but will also work closely with other RTAs assigned by BRE SSN team and S/he will perform tasks and undertake responsibilities.
The work shall be closely managed to ensure it delivers on the following principles (amongst others):
- Coordination – The work shall be closely coordinated with the Regional Governments and other development partners, particularly the existing programmes of USFS. It shall only be undertaken where there is a clear need that is not being met by others.
- Sustainability – Whilst some work will be required to meet immediate short-term needs, the work will also look to build long term capacity so that standards are maintained after the crisis passes. BRE is well placed to do so as it be integrating any identified needs into its longer-term support to regional governments.
- Value add – The work will only be undertaken where there is a clear value add from BRE’s involvement. (Indeed, in some instances it may be more appropriate for BRE to invite others to fill a gap).
Roles and Responsibilities
The activities that are expected from the Technical Assistance are majorly focusing on but not limited to:
Coordination:
The Technical Assistances supports the efforts of the Regional DRM bureaus to
– Support for DRM Bureaus in planning responses and other multi-sectoral planning and to continue the coordination of responses against the Covid-19.
– Work with the regional bureau heads to strengthen ECC and Regional Coordination platform
– Monitoring and, as appropriate and required, the up-dating of the regional coronavirus (COVID-19) response plans
– Ensuring minimal duplication of services from other regional organizations
Communication and Information:
With regards to Communication and information the TAs will perform following activities:
– Map the preferred communication and information chains to understand the gaps and to understand who has the accesses for the information
– Develop reporting format and support the information collection from the sites where the Regional DRM office is doing its responses or other related activities.
– Preparation of briefing papers for regional governments, regional government partners and possibly for partner organizations.
– Prepares reports as required by the Regional bureaus of DRM.
– Assess the information formats used by the bureau and understand for the information gap that is not shared.
Management
The TAS are working alongside with the Regional DRM Bureau Heads to coordinate the activities related to response and support the preparations to welcome the returnees in the given regional states where appropriate.
The BRE DRM workstream will oversee the activities but the embedded Senior DRM Advisor will monitor the work of deployed TAs, compare progress towards outputs and take corrective action as required. The DRM team will liaise with directors in the respective Regional Government institutions to ensure that the responsiveness and quality of the work is accordance with expectations.
The DRM Team and the Regional Government partner institutions will monitor and review the quality of the work to ensure that the outputs are relevant and of the required quality. If the work is to standard there is an option of the contracts being extended subject to demand. Probation periods and break clauses will be used carefully to take action in the event that work is not to the required standard.
Time frame
The Technical Consultants will be contracted for short term according to need with minimum assignments of one month to a maximum of six months. However, subject to demand assignments may be extended for up to another six months.
Job Requirements
Qualifications:
• Education:
o BSc in the field of Disaster Risk Management, Climate Change and Forestry, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or other related fields or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
o Desired: MSc degree in Disaster Risk Management, Environmental science or other related fields
• Experience Required:
o At least 5 years of experience in supporting DRM/Climate Change Adaptation, or related activities Knowledge and experience of in working with regional DRM offices
o At least 5 years’ practical experience in humanitarian response (including at least 3 years in large scale or complex emergency work with particular reference to health, sanitation, hygiene promotion)
o Proven experience in responding to and leading scale up of large scale and/or complex emergencies,
· Proven ability to build and establish strategic and professional relationships with the Federal Government, Regional Government Authorities, development partners and NGOs.
· Demonstrated understanding of working with communities in emergency response, incorporation of gender and diversity, and proven commitment to integrating these concepts in programme implementation.
• Excellent communications, interpersonal, and networking skills.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and prioritize work.
• Fluent written and spoken English, knowledge of the local language (Afar, Somali) is advantageous.
How to Apply
Candidates who fulfill the minimum requirements can apply through ethiojobs website or by sending a one-page cover letter explaining their interest and suitability for the role and a CV (including the contact details of three references) as a combined in MS Word or PDF formats only to [email protected]. The Job Title needs to be written in the subject of the email.
The closing date for applications is January 31, 2021. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only successful applicants will be contacted.
More Information
- Address Semera, Gambella, Jigjiga
- Experience Level Senior
- Total Years Experience 5-10
