DRR and Resilience Capacity Building Volunteer (BE CAPABLE Project) Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) International, Sierra Leone

Transcription

1 Volunteer Job Pack Job Title DRR and Resilience Capacity Building Volunteer (BE CAPABLE Project) Job ID Country Sierra Leone Employer Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) International, Sierra Leone Duration Minimum 12 months placement with possible extension. Expected to start from October - November 2018 Job purpose The candidate will be based in Country Office, Freetown. To support incountry processes and activities for BE CAPABLE project in a specific professional area of work, to facilitate effective project delivery in VSO Sierra Leone. Background: VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas), International is the world s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. Our high-impact approach brings people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action to change lives and make the world fairer place. VSO Sierra Leone has been operational since last 50 years. It has been working mainly in health and livelihoods programmes bringing international and national volunteers and working with Sierra Leone government, Civil Society organisations and communities to fight against poverty. Page 1

2 Introduction to the project: VSO has been very active in disaster response and resilience building since the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and mudslide disasters in 2017 in Sierra Leone. The response and resilience project activities has been implemented with Ministry of Health, Office of the National Security and CSO partners in six districts of Sierra Leone in response to the above disaster. Our recent DRR and Resilience project includes capacity building of ONS and CSO partners, training and capacity building of community volunteers on DRR, development of tools for trainings and early warning systems and communication. VSO has received a small grant from EU volunteer Aid programme to build capacity of country office and key stakeholders in Humanitarian Aid and Resilience. Job Purpose: To support in-country processes and activities for BE CAPABLE project in a specific professional area of work, to facilitate effective project delivery in VSO Sierra Leone. Under the supervision and guidance of the BE CAPABLE in-country focal point Head of Programmes, BE CAPABLE Project Assistant are expected to take responsibility for completion of a range of project support activities Key Responsibilities (not all-inclusive) Undertake stakeholder and system mapping and information gathering process in the context of resilience and humanitarian work. Collect and conduct stakeholder and system analysis of gender, social exclusion and social accountability to identify duty bearers and power holders, as well as those most at risk. Assist in-country focal point and in-country trainer to organize and undertake a training on humanitarian aid and resilience for VSO staffs in Sierra Leone Assist in-country focal point to organize and conduct action-based workshop to develop disaster preparedness/ contingency plan for VSO Sierra Leone Assist in-country focal point local stakeholders consultation to reinforce mechanism of coordination and response to disasters and shocks. Assist in-country focal point to organize training on specific risk within the country. Assist in-country focal points to undertake participatory risk assessment and resilience action planning. Support in-country focal point to organize in-country information event on EUAV certification requirements. Assist in-country focal point to process and manage routine administrative and financial tasks for BE CAPABLE project, to contribute to the effective and timely management of resources. Page 2

3 Manage and maintain records and databases, to ensure information is organized and readily available for VSO staffs and volunteers. Assist in-country focal point to prepare BE CAPABLE project in-country report when required. Professional Attributes: Working together Strength Successfully leads teams and develops others team-working skills. Communication & influencing Strength Inspires others by: advocating plans and ideas within and outside VSO; maintaining a wide, influential network; coaching Managing Knowledge Strength - Leads initiatives that improve knowledge management across VSO; develops others knowledge management skills. Striving for Excellence Expert - Builds and sustains an organisational culture of continuous performance improvement that helps to set VSO apart as a brand. Managing Resources Strength Leads others to pursue significant or innovative funding opportunities; finds creative ways to allocate funds and people on complex projects effectively. Managing People Strength - Builds a high performing team that meets challenging objectives linked to corporate objectives; ensures own team works efficiently with other teams.. Developing People Strength: Is a role model for coaching, mentoring and developing others, and for effective use of VSO s employee development processes and opportunities Leading for the Future Strength: builds confidence and excitement in VSO's work and vision, both internally and externally; leads innovative projects. Thinking Strategically Expert: Drives forward VSO s corporate strategy; helps to set the future direction in response to anticipated changes in the external environment. Delivering Results Expert - Drives commitment across and beyond VSO to equipping, engaging and empowering people to solve problems, make decisions and deliver the best possible results. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Qualifications: Graduate degree in development studies, environmental sciences, Disaster Management or any other relevant degree with a minimum of four 2-3 years of experience in Disaster Risk Page 3

4 Reduction planning, policy framework, management and coordination mechanism development. Essential: - The expert will be selected based on his/her knowledge and experience with disaster recovery, mitigation, community development, resiliency planning, public administration concepts, and the range of national programs and interagency processes required for effective implementation of recovery initiatives. - Ability to manage and coordinate multi-sector and internal/external stakeholder participation Strong Leadership skills - Highly disciplined and organised approach to work. Proven analytical, strategic, computer, networking, interpersonal & time management skills, and team oriented. - Excellent communication and documentation skills - Research and analytical skills and experience Desirable: - Experience in the area of disaster relief, response and recovery - Experience of working in a post-disaster area. - Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including fluency in written and spoken English and strong inter-personal and advisory skills. Competencies - Has high-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking. - Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment. - Sets high standards for quality and consistently achieves project goals. - Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives. - Maintains and extends an effective network of individuals within the organisation and with government and development partners - Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities. - Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise. - Proven ability to work as a team. - Candidate must be willing to abide by the VSO s Safeguarding Policy in all aspects of work. 1. Personal considerations In addition to the job description, the following information should be used when considering whether a placement is suitable for you. Personal health considerations Page 4

5 If you have a significant current or past medical condition and/or you have general concerns about staying healthy as a volunteer, please use this information to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you. All volunteers require medical clearance from a VSO medical adviser before they are able to take up a placement with VSO. Occasionally, VSO may consider that this placement is too great a risk for you in terms of your personal health and you would be advised to consider a different placement. For further guidance about medical assessment and volunteering with a medical condition please see the frequently asked questions on VSO website. Access to medical care and support The standard and quality of local medical care and support available at this placement is not adequate. Health facilities are poorly resourced in rural areas in terms of medical expertise, equipment, infrastructure and regular supplies of medication. However, this may not be the case in the capital city. This placement is: Makeni, Kenema, Bo and Freetown are the major cities in Sierra Leone. There is no flight services between the two cities. Medical support and infrastructure is extremely limited in Sierra Leone. Before completing a job application, please seek advice from the VSO International Medical Team if you: have an ongoing medical condition have had a medical condition in the past that might recur take any regular medication (other than contraception) for more details please visit : If you wish to discuss your personal circumstances or health concerns in confidence with VSO s medical team before you apply for this placement please contact medical@vsoint.org. Accompanying partner or family: If you have a partner or children who are planning to accompany you to your placement, please use this section to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you. This is a volunteer and an unaccompanied position. Motorcycle requirements To perform the job responsibility, riding motor bike is not required, but if you are willing to ride a motorbike during your placement. A motorbike license will be essential and training will be provided if required. Security information Page 5

6 Sierra Leone is generally politically stable, people are very friendly. There are some areas where minor crimes of theft, burglary, housebreak, snatching are common especially in urban areas like Freetown etc. Makeni city is also the same. It is not advisable to go out alone in late evening and do not keep any valuables with you and at home when you are not there. For more information please visit Names and addresses and/or phone numbers of serving volunteers and returned volunteers, that can be contacted by prospective volunteers looking at this placement including e.g. volunteers working with same partner, at similar placements or nearby locations. Jonnah Tendere DRR and Resilience Capacity Development Expert working with VSO and ONS for capacity building of community DRR volunteers in 6 districts of Sierra Leone. tenderejoe@gmail.com Dr. Kiran Cheedhela : GP from Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) working with Makeni government regional hospital. kirancheedella@hotmail.co.uk Alex and Claire Blacklock: VSO volunteer Medical Doctors/GPs who were placed at the Makeni Regional Hospital, Makeni Town, and Bombali district from June 2012 to May S0340/0005/0001, S0340/0004/0004 alex_blacklock@yahoo.com, Blacklock@phc.ox.ac.uk Further information on VSO s work in each of the countries we work in can be found on the VSO website. Page 6