Disaster Management Coordinator (British Red Cross) at Kenya Red Cross Society

Reporting To: Senior Disaster Management Coordinator -Africa

Context

The British Red Cross helps millions of people in the UK and around the world to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies, disasters and conflicts. Our volunteers and staff help people in crisis to live independently by providing support at home, mobility aids and transport. We also teach first aid skills.

We are part of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian network. We refuse to ignore people in crisis.

Our principles and values-BRC

Our values (compassionate, courageous, inclusive and dynamic) underpin everything we do. As a member of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the British Red Cross is committed to, and bound by, its fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Directorate overview

International Division is responsible for international disaster response, support to resilience programmes and organizational development of our partner Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.  The work of the International Division also includes humanitarian policy and advocacy activities, and International Humanitarian Law.  British Red Cross' international work is carried out in coordination and partnership with the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement.

Team overview

The Programmes and Partnerships department provides oversight of our community resilience and capacity building partnerships with national societies and disaster management activities. The department works in partnership with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The department functions internally within a matrix relationship of technical advisers and policy professionals, located in other teams within the International Directorate.

Purpose of the role

Working closely with the Disaster Management Coordinator, Africa Heads of Region and Country Managers, the purpose of the role is:

• To coordinate the effective, efficient and appropriate use of BRC resources when contributing to and responding to disaster and crisis response with partner and non-partner National Societies in Africa.
• To provide Disaster Management advisory support to the Heads of Region, Country Managers and other BRC staff to influence and facilitate improved, coordinated disaster management support to Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies.
• To strengthen the capacity of partner NS (particularly in East and Southern Africa) to manage disasters within the Region.
• To facilitate the successful implementation of other DM-relevant elements of the regional strategies.

As a result, the DMC will ensure high quality in emergency preparedness, lead BRC's Covid-19 emergency response across the Africa regions, co-develop and support BRC's initiatives to strengthen organisational DM capabilities with national Red Cross Societies and engage with internal and external stakeholders to develop good practice.

The DMC will be line managed by the Senior DMC (Africa). The post holder will work collaboratively, within a matrix structure, with colleagues and partners in the Region, and specialists within the Emergencies, Surge and Technical & Advisory team. The role will normally be based at the BRC office in Nairobi, Kenya with regular travel anticipated to the region.

Main responsibilities

• To coordinate the effective, efficient and appropriate use of BRC resources when contributing to and responding to disaster and crisis response with partner and non-partner National Societies in Africa.
  • Act as BRC’s response lead and/or support the Senior DMC when they lead non-partner country responses + OSBs, including managing BRC contributions, coordination and reporting.
  • Oversee BRC’s Covid-19 response across Africa, including coordination, needs and gap analysis, reporting. The DMC will also make recommendations on BRC resource allocation to the relevant budget holders.
  • Advise upon Team Assistant’s efforts to maintain a live contextual analysis on disasters and crises across the region, horizon scanning for emerging needs and identifying gaps and opportunities for BRC to contribute expertise and resource to support IFRC/NS responses.
• To provide Disaster Management advisory support to the Heads of Region, Country Managers and other BRC staff to influence and facilitate improved, coordinated disaster management support to Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies.
• Provide DM advisory and guidance to CCMs and Regional Officers when managing disasters in their region and support the continuous development of DM skills and knowledge within the Regional teams.
• Support the work of the Senior DMC to coordinate with IFRC at the Regional level and build relationships within the RC/RC Movement and other organisations in support of individual and team objectives.
• Support regional efforts to promote local leadership in emergency response, identifying ways in which BRC can itself improve the way we work and offer support to this end, or advocate for initiatives that support IFRC and NS to do so.
• Contribute to region-wide initiatives such as ADMAG and promote coherence between different Movement actors behind NS.
• Support development of African surge delegate initiatives.
• Seek to implement recommendations arising from BRC and other research to ensure NS take a central role in designing and implementing operations.
• To strengthen the capacity of partner NS (particularly in East and Southern Africa) to manage disasters within the Region.
• Work with key NS in East and Southern Africa to develop their DM capacities in areas such as IM, Movement coordination, emergency assessments and CVA
• Support key NS in ESA with implementation of IFRC’s Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) approach for NS to measure and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of their response systems, agree and prioritise actions.
• Support the Forecast Based Financing project in Southern Africa and Sahel, which incorporates significant DM strengthening ambitions.
• To facilitate the successful implementation of other DM-relevant elements of the International Strategy, RAPs and the work of the Regional teams.
• Support Disaster Management strategy development and integration within the regions to support BRC’s regional and International Directorate strategies and enable capacity building and support within BRC’s programmes and partnerships.
• Support the Snr DMC in their advisory role to BRC strategic ambitions in Hunger Crises, Migration and Displacement and Climate.
• Provide input and support to the annual planning and budgeting process within the Region and monitor implementation in relation to disaster management.
• Support BRC’s internal and external engagement, influencing and resource mobilisation relating to disaster management through representation at fora, production of written briefings and reports, proposal development and support to senior colleagues.
• Act as secondary security focal point (supporting or in the absence of a Country/Cluster Manager) for BRC staff and delegates travelling within the region as requested by Head of Region.
• Other
  • Uphold the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and work within the Society’s equal opportunities policy.
  • Adhere to the British Red Cross values.
  • Actively contribute to our culture of safeguarding and protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
  • Ensure inclusive practice and promote diversity.
  • Undertake other duties as are reasonably required.

Diversity

We are committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences – including disabled and ethnic minority candidates. This is to contribute to the breadth of experience we need to respond to people in crisis. You can read more about our commitment to diversity on our website.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Strong grasp of specialist technical or professional field relevant to disaster management (from work experience or education qualification)
• Understanding of dynamics related to sudden onset, chronic and conflict response and recovery programmes
• Good understanding of the humanitarian system.                 
• An appreciation of the IFRC’s global disaster response tools, regional response mechanisms and means of managing these.
• Good understanding of humanitarian dynamics in one or more Africa regions.       

Skills

• Building and maintaining partnerships and relationships.
• Proven skills in project / programme management techniques, processes and controls including project planning; needs assessment and developing and analysing operational plans; resource allocation in an emergency response context

• Appreciation of, and ability to navigate a multicultural environment

• Good presentation skills
• Strong abilities to represent BRC and its work in different fora.
• Ability to advise decision makers and exert influence where required
• Security management training                       
  • Fluency in French is highly desirable
  • Other languages relevant to the region would be an advantage.
  • Formal training in project management methodology.        

Experience

• Experience working in the development, delivery and coordination of Disaster Response projects, including the design of contingency plans, capacity and needs assessments, SOPs etc.
• Experience working in humanitarian contexts, ideally during emergency responses.
• Working with local partners to build capacity or share skills
• Analysis, developing and implementing programmes and projects.
• Carrying out monitoring, evaluation and needs assessments
• Budget and proposal development for a range of donors.     
  • Experience working within the Red Cross Movement internationally.
  • Experience working in DM/emergency response in multiple African countries.
  • Experience organizing and facilitating DM-related capacity building workshops and trainings with different partners.
  • Experience coordinating complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
  • Team and or direct line management experience
  • Security management experience

Behaviour      

• Accountable for Resources – Level 2 Understands the broader environment and uses knowledge to deliver
• Embracing and leading change – Level 2 Promotes constructive change
• Working Collaboratively – Level 2 Pro-actively builds collaborative relationships internally and externally
• Communicating and influencing – Level 3 Takes multiple steps to communicate and influence
• Solution focused - Level 2 Sees multiple connections
• Leading and engaging – Level 2 Builds team commitment and engagement           

Additional requirements

• Upholds the fundamental principles and acts with integrity, in accordance with the Society’s values (inclusive, compassionate, courageous and dynamic).
• Ensures inclusive practice and promotes diversity
• Able to travel for up to 90 days per year and operate in a physically demanding working environment.
• Willingness to work out of office hours when necessary.

Willing to work in situations of political insecurity.