Disaster Preparedness and Response Specialist

Job Description

Disaster Preparedness and Response Specialist 

USAID Tayar Nepal Improved Disaster Risk Management Project

Scope of Work

DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments. More information about DAI can be found on the DAI website (www.dai.com). 

Project Background

USAID/Nepal’s Tayar Nepal – Improved Disaster Risk Management Project will strengthen the capacity of Nepal’s national and municipal institutions responsible for disaster preparedness and response.  In a country prone to a myriad of natural disasters, at the national level Tayar Nepal will build the capacity of disaster risk management (DRM) institutions, including the newly created National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA).  Locally, Tayar will support eight urban municipalities to develop risk-sensitive land use plans and then support the prioritization and implementation of a set of technical assistance packages improve disaster resilience. In the event of a disaster over the life of the five-year project, USAID/Nepal may engage the program’s rapid emergency response mechanism. Tayar will work closely with the Government of Nepal and Nepali emergency responders to mobilize technical assistance, commodity support, small-scale infrastructure, and information management support. Tayar will apply lessons learned from disaster response efforts to improve national-level DRM systems and municipal-level risk-reduction activities.

Position Overview

The Disaster Preparedness and Response Specialist is a Key Personnel position responsible to provide technical expertise in the areas of emergency preparedness, response and recovery across Tayar’s national and municipal-level programing.  In the event of a disaster and resulting task order, in coordination with the COP and DAI Home Office Project Manager, mobilize and oversee activities of Tayar emergency response teams.  In coordination with DCOP, ensure lessons learned from utilizing Tayar’s rapid emergency response mechanism are used to adaptively manage Tayar’s approach to national-level DRM systems and municipal-level risk-reduction activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise in the areas of emergency preparedness, response and recovery to Tayar’s national and municipal-level programing under Components 1 and 2. 
• In collaboration with the DRM Governance Specialist and Tayar partners, design and conduct a pre-simulation consultation with NDMA to refine simulation objectives, clarify responsibilities and plan logistics. Support NDMA in designing and leading a series of national simulation exercises around specific themes, such as disaster response system coordination and evacuations during emergency response. 
• In the event of a disaster and resulting task order, supervise the Component 3 technical assistance.   Conduct and oversee rapid situation report and communications, design and scope interventions.  Work with HO Project Manager to mobilize assistance, manage implementation, and closeout and learning of task order.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant Government of Nepal and DRM stakeholder representatives.
• Monitor policy and political changes that potentially affect implementation or delivery and propose mitigation measures.
• Provide high-quality contributions to technical deliverables including annual work plans and progress reporting.

Qualifications 

• At least 15 years of experience in disaster preparedness, emergency response management, humanitarian assistance, disaster recovery and reconstruction, and urban planning.
• Minimum of 10 years of supervisory experience, including at least 5 years managing field-level project implementation on donor-funded programs.
• Field-level experience managing immediate disaster response and recovery activities in Nepal required.  International disaster response experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Nepal
• University degree in engineering, urban planning, disaster response or related field.  Master’s degree preferred.

Level of Effort, Location and Reporting

The Disaster Preparedness and Response Specialist will be based in Kathmandu with frequent travel to the eight selected municipalities across Nepal and will report to the deputy Chief of Party.

Apply Instructions

Interested applicants should submit a CV and cover letter to TayarRecruitment@dai.com  by November 23, 2019.  Please mention the position in the subject line of the email. 

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