Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Panama
Closing date: 03 Aug 2017
BACKGROUND:
Latin American and Caribbean Region is continually facing critical humanitarian and political situations in many countries with an increased risk of significant humanitarian crises. In 2016, around 10,7 million people have been affected by disasters in the region. Another 3,7 Million people were also affected by Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika outbakes. Population movements, displacement, forced migration, violence, and economic and political crisis are also generating humanitarian concern requiring UNICEF to be ready to provide effective relief. UNICEF in LAC plays and active and critical role in the four areas of global sectorial responsibility, leading response and preparedness activities in these areas in most countries and scaling up coordination capacity during emergencies.
Given the frequency of emergencies in the LAC region and expectations placed on UNICEF Country Offices (COs), the Regional Office in LAC (LACRO) needs to create a pool of readily available, previously vetted candidates, able to be deployed on an immediate no regret basis. To address this demand, LACRO created in 2015 a LAC Rapid Response Roster (“LAC RRR”) formed by its own staff which has been successfully implemented during the last 2 years. The goal of the RRR is to ensure that LACRO can deploy qualified staff in all programme and functional areas to support CO emergency response within 48 hours of a request.
The LAC RRR provides a reliable and systematic mechanism for human resource mobilization in emergency response, thereby contributing to a stronger overall emergency response for Latin America and the Caribbean. The first phase of RRR has focused in the development of an Internal Roster. The second phase will complement UNICEF’s internal capacities with an external pool of professionals in a Response Roster. External candidates preferably residing in the region will be identified for contract and deployment as consultants, contractors, or temporary staff, for an approximate period from three to nine continuous months.
Based on our current RRR Guidelines and the recent Ecuador Earthquake Emergency 2016 experience the following has been identified as important actions:
The Regional Rapid Response Roster (RRR) needs to be updated and extended.
Both Rosters have the purpose to set the conditions and jumpstart assessment, coordination, planning and fund raising for humanitarian action.
Lessons learned from the Ecuador earthquake and other emergencies in the regions clearly demonstrate the importance of a comprehensive and integral approach for preparedness and readiness of Multisectorial teams at country level that play a crucial role at the various phases of the organizational response therefore the LAC RRR will include qualified staff from one or more of the following Programme and Functional areas: Education; Child Protection; WASH; Nutrition/Health; Programme Coordination and Planning; Emergency Assessment; Monitoring and evaluation (HPM); Information Management (IM); Communication (Internal/External); C4D; Human Resources; Finance, Procurement, Administration, ICT.
OBJECTIVES:
In coordination with Operations and the HR Section in LACRO and the ESRS (Emergencies & Surge Recruitment) Section in DHR NY, the selected consultant is expected to provide support to the Emergency Unit in:Compiling information that can be converted into shareable knowledge from recent experiences of RRR deployments and other similar experiences outside the Region.
EXPECTED RESULTS (measurable results):
ACTIVITIES
Activities for the internal RRR. Cohort 2018.
Activities for the external RRR mechanism for 2017 – 2018.
Explore possible linkages between our external roster /Talent Pool and the UNV Program.
DELIVERABLES:
Description
Duration
(Estimated # of days)
Delivery deadline
1) Internal RRR Lessons Learned document compiling RRR implementation relevant aspects to inform the update of the RRR guidelines.
15
August 20
2) Updated Internal RRR procedures and guidelines approved by LACRO.
3) Standard TORs for each Program and Functional area in the internal RRR.
4) Internal RRR monitoring tool approved and ready to be rolled out.
30
October 10
5) External RRR procedures successfully formulated and approved by all relevant UNICEF Regulations.
6) Standard TORs for each Program and Functional area in the external RRR.
7) External RRR monitoring tool approved and ready to be rolled out.
45
Dec. 15
8) Management report of the Internal RRR 2018 Cohort rollout.
9) Management report of the External RRR 2018 Cohort rollout.
45
March, 19. 2018
TOTAL
135
KEY QUALIFICATIONS, TECHNICAL BACKGROUND, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
CONSULTANT’S WORKPLACE:The consultant is expected to work in Panama. She/he might be required to travel to country offices where surge mechanisms are or were previously activated. LACRO will cover economy airticket and corresponding DSA for travelling to each country.
FEES:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a financial proposal daily/monthly rate in US Dollars. Proven experience (70%) and financial proposal (30%) will be taken into consideration during selection process. Travel will be covered by UNICEF as per policy.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=506035
