IT Emergency Coordination Officer

H (no hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

CONS International

Target Start Date

2024-04-04

Job Posting End Date

March 20, 2024

Terms of Reference

Disclaimer: This job opening is Temporary job by Invitation only

General Background of Project or Assignment:

The IT Emergency Preparedness and Response Section (EPRS) of the Division of Information Systems and Telecommunications (DIST) is responsible for providing critical IT emergency support, guidance, and coordination to UNHCR Regional Bureaux and Country Operations globally. Within its area of responsibility, EPRS also coordinates the Refugee Emergency Telecommunications Sector (RETS) mechanism which seeks to leverage global partnership to deliver connectivity services to the humanitarian community in refugee emergencies under the Refugee Coordination Model (RCM). With the rapid and growing demand for IT services to support UNHCR’s mandate, this position will provide coordination of IT services during declared emergency operations to UNHCR, its partners and the extended humanitarian community.

The IT Emergency Coordinator will coordinate efforts for the IT Emergency Preparedness and Response Section principally in Africa. S/he will work under the supervision of the Senior IT Emergency Coordinator, and work closely with the Global IT Emergency Coordinator, Chief of IT Emergency Preparedness and Response, DIST Communications Officer and Information Management Officer on a day-to-day basis.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Understand emergency IT services and requirements as needed for all UNHCR staff, partners and the humanitarian community and recommend a way forward to ensure offices adequately assess IT tools, human, material and financial resources required to support their emergency preparedness and response activities.
• Engage with Senior Management at the Bureau and Country levels, working closely with the Bureau IT Leads and relevant colleagues, to assess, recommend, monitor and evaluate IT emergency related services in impacted areas ensuring close and timely communication with the Senior IT Emergency Coordinator of EPRS to escalate key gaps and challenges;
• Take proactive role in inter-agency coordination representing UNHCR, engaging in working group fora to review existing UN and UN Specialized Agency communications and IT systems, with a view to integrate these where possible and avoid interference and duplication of resources; monitor international regulatory body decisions and their potential impact on IT in emergencies;
• Under UNHCR’s Refugee Coordination Model (RCM), establish and assist the coordination of the Refugee Emergency Telecommunications Sector (RETS) engaging other UN agencies, I/NGOs, partners and stakeholders as per country operations plan on emergency IT activities;
• Draft comprehensive assessment and other reports including recommendations for IT needs (e.g. infrastructure, common services, staffing, equipment, funding, etc.) in emergency operations;
• Coordinate and oversee field activities including IT emergency capacity supporting IT emergency preparedness and response in the field;
• Keep abreast of emerging crises and events in countries / areas at risk (HALEP and others) to recommend next steps;
• Be prepared to deploy on mission to emergency-impacted countries within 72 hours of a declared emergency (as needed) for a period of up to 2 months;
• Based on the EPRS strategy, support the Section’s capacity building activities including development of materials, delivery and facilitating of trainings required;
• Report regularly to the Senior IT Emergency Coordinator on emergency IT field coordination activities including financial, human and material resources ensuring escalation of key gaps and challenges. Provide high level analysis of the situation on the ground;
• Undertake other tasks or assignments within his / her area of competence as directed by the Senior IT Emergency Coordinator.

Standard Job Description

IT Emergency Coordination Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The IT Emergency Coordination Officer provides support overseeing and coordinating the global IT emergency preparedness and response component of UNHCR’s emergency operations, in support of IT Field operations. In refugee situations, the IT Emergency Coordination Officer will contribute to the overall coordination of common Refugee Emergency Telecommunications Sector (RETS) services, internally with Bureaux and Divisions, and externally with partners and the extended humanitarian community. In non-refugee and mixed situations, s/he will support UNHCR’s commitment to collaborate within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC). S/he will advocate internally with the Bureaux and Divisions enabling access to the EPRS resources and services, including communication, training and capacity building as well as deployments. Close collaboration and development of synergies with the WFP-led Emergency Telecommunications Cluster, will be pursued to ensure a stronger and more strategic focus on provision of emergency telecommunications services. The IT Emergency Coordination Officer will foster partnerships aimed at mobilizing resources and innovative solutions.

The job is located within the IT Emergency Preparedness and Response Section (EPRS) and normally reports to the Senior IT Emergency Coordination Officer. The IT Emergency Coordination may have supervisory responsibility.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Support providing global oversight of UNHCR’s emergency IT operations.
• Work closely with the DIST Field Operations Support Section and maintain consistent communication for emergency related activities with DIST Senior Management.
• Work on adequate preparedness measures ensuring those are in place for emerging situations globally, on basis of the DESS HALEP and Preparedness Package for Refugee Emergencies (PPRE), in coordination with IT Field operations and country operations
• Work in partnership with sister Agencies, Implementing Partners, NGOs, and other operational partners in consultation with Head of Regional Hub/Country Representative of emergency operations, to ensure coordinated IT service delivery.
• Leverage and strengthen standby partnerships and coordinate related deployments and services for timely emergency response.
• Participate in Global ETC / Humanitarian IT Forum and other Inter-Agency meetings and represent UNHCR EPRS/RETS in global teleconferences on IT emergency management and support.
• Determine IT needs and resource requirements (financial, human, and material) and develop the comprehensive emergency operations plans to address gaps in IT services.
• Support the coordination with Bureaux and Divisions to identify funding strategy for emergency preparedness and response activities.
• Collaborate closely with Bureaux and Divisions on all IT emergency matters requiring escalation such as inter-agency agreements and partner engagements.
• Engage the private and academic sectors, for fundraising and innovative solutions in emergency management, and foster partnerships aimed at mobilizing resources.
• In collaboration with DESS, manage and deploy IT emergency personnel from the DIST emergency roster.
• With the Vendor Management Unit, coordinate and manage the release and availability of material resources for emergency operations from the DIST emergency stockpile.
• Liaise and co-ordinate with different UNHCR offices for logistic support to clear IT equipment and accessories for speedy deployment.
• Support the delivery of IT emergency support services at UNHCR’s Workshops on Emergency Management (WEM).
• Support IT training activities ensuring workforce is appropriately trained and prepared for emergency deployment, including through the development and administration of relevant emergency IT training activities.
• Deploy and support the coordination emergency preparedness and response activities on the ground as required.
• Escalate issues to supervisor if incident / problem cannot be resolved within scope of responsibility.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years Of Experience / Degree Level

For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Information Technology or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified

Essential

Relevant Job Experience

Experience In IT Emergency Management And/or Inter-agency Coordination Functions.

Experience in working with IT services in multiple and concurrent emergency and/or deep field situations.

Experience working within United Nations coordination mechanisms and/or with multiple partners to ensure harmonized delivery of IT services.

Experience in emergency/field operations in planning and addressing IT gaps.

Experience in supporting human resources in the context of emergencies, including management of rosters, deployments and standby partners.

Demonstrated experience in delivering IT emergency management training.

Excellent interpersonal skills to foster collaboration between diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership, to achieve mutually agreed-upon objectives.

Desirable

Experience working in humanitarian or United Nations organizations.

Experience representing organization at inter-agency fora, particularly in the context of IT emergency management.

Experience in stockpile management.

Experience working in deep field locations.

Fluency in second UN language.

Functional Skills

ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Technological Awareness

Stakeholder Management

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Skills

Additional Qualifications

ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Information Technology

Certifications

Work Experience

Other Information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

Yes