Country: Bangladesh
Closing date: 22 May 2017
The German Red Cross (GRC) is part of a worldwide community assisting victims of conflicts and disasters and people affected by social or health related crises. The Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement provides vulnerable people with assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions and adheres to the seven Fundamental Principles of the Movement: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. The German Red Cross assists in disaster response, rehabilitation and capacity building projects internationally on appeals of their sister organisations within the Movement.
GRC is currently seeking an experienced Project Manager for the second phase of the ongoing project “Forecast-based Financing” for Bangladesh. A national technical advisor of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre (RCCC) is supporting the Project Manager regarding issues related to climate science and forecasts and all scientific components. The main focus of the project phase II is to further develop the forecast-based financing mechanism taking into account the lessons learnt from phase.
Background:
The project is part of the Action Plan of the Federal Foreign Office for Humanitarian Adaptation to Climate Change, which was launched in 2014. The Action Plan aims to establish an anticipatory humanitarian system using a new approach called Forecast-based Financing (FBF). This new concept of humanitarian assistance that is currently tested in pilot projects coordinated by the German Red Cross, utilizes the time window between a forecast and the potential disaster manifesting to carry out early actions that reduce the humanitarian impact of the natural disaster.
Together with the main partners, National Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre (RCCC), World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Welthungerhilfe and the Platform on Disaster Displacement (former Nansen Initiative), as well as other scientists and humanitarian actors the Forecast-based Financing methodology is developed in a multi-disciplinary platform.
As part of the Action Plan, GRC has developed and implemented the Forecast-based Financing mechanism since 2015 in pilot projects in Mozambique, Peru and Bangladesh. The pilot projects are ending in the coming months and will now be going into a second phase to further develop the mechanism.
The first phase of the Forecast-based Financing project in Bangladesh will end in June 2017.
Duration: starting as soon as possible for 12 months
Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Responsibilities and Tasks:
- In close cooperation with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) lead the direct implementation of the FbF project in Bangladesh to achieve the planned results
- Liaise, coordinate and cooperate with Government authorities as well as relevant national & international organizations and stakeholders; to promote the integration of FbF mechanisms into the national system
- Improve access to validated forecast data and oversee the development of forecast-based thresholds for early actions in flood, cyclone, and cold wave prone areas (supported by a national technical advisor)
- Oversee the development and testing of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the BDRCS, particularly by identifying relevant and effective early actions and establishing procedures that allow their timely implementation once a forecast threshold has been reached
- Strengthen BDRCS in their capacities and advocacy role in the field of Climate Change Adaptation and FbF
- Work on setting up a MEAL system appropriate for measuring the impact of the implementation of the SOPs and thereby contribute to building evidence for the FbF-mechanisms and coordinate relevant research work
- Organize regional dialogue platforms that serve to exchange lessons learned with other FbF-pilots in the region and promote FbF with interested stakeholders active in the Early Warning Early Action field
- Assure compilation and sharing of results, learning and uptake with the Dialogue Platforms organized by GRC
- Ensure regular monitoring of project implementation including the collection and analysis of data for the indicators and project monitoring/control
- Ensure accurate project budgeting, financial management and expenditure tracking according to GRC and donor (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) requirements
- Ensure quality, timely narrative and financial reporting in compliance with GRC and donor (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) policies and regulations
- Ensure visibility according to German Government requirements/standards and present information on the project on the BDRCS CCA.
- Contribute to the maintenance of strong team spirit and positive workplace environment
Required Skills:
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction
- Strong project management skills, particularly PCM and participatory methods
- Good understanding of key natural disaster risk reduction issues
- Familiarity with the Early Warning Early Action agenda is an advantage
- Experience in implementing and managing donor funded projects (MoFA experience will be a strong asset)
- Minimum 3 years of experience working abroad
- Skills in networking, negotiation and persuasion, advocacy and for mainstreaming new concepts and approaches
- Excellent communication skills, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively and build relationships at all levels, taking into account cultural and language differences
- Experience in cooperating with local organisations / capacity building
- Ability to train and guide local community volunteers
- Oral and written fluency in English; knowledge of German would be an asset
- Excellent computer skills (spreadsheets, word-processing, databases and other programmes)
- Readiness to work in remote areas
- Ability to work independently and as a team member
- Ability and agreement to adhere to the Red Cross Red Crescent Fundamental Principles
- Readiness to go on assignment without partner
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments
- Ability to complete a thorough medical screening process 'working abroad under specific climate and health conditions'
- Valid Driving Licence
GRC offers you a compensation package according to the collective employment agreement of the GRC as well as an expatriation allowance during your mission. Depending on the post specific situation we either provide you with an accommodation or a personal allowance to cover your accommodation. In addition to a full insurance package (health insurance for residence abroad, private accident insurance, private liability insurance, luggage insurance) GRC is as well covering a home flight withing a 12-month period of assignment and medical check-ups before and after your mission. Before your assignment you will benefit from a comprehensive training package and receive briefings prior as well as during and after your mission.
How to apply:
Kindly apply by submitting your application by using the GRC online application system DRK HRnet until May 22th 2017.
Please indicate Ref. No. 2017- 077 with your application.
Further information on our recruiting procedure can be found on our hompage.