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Previous closing date (07 September 2011) changed

Background

Swiss cooperation with the South Caucasus region dates back to the earthquake 1988 in Armenia and again became active during the conflicts of 1991-94 (Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh). A regional cooperation office was established in 1999 in Tbilisi and two sub-offices in 2001 and 2002 in Baku and Yerevan. The Swiss cooperation is based on the Cooperation Strategy South Caucasus (2008-2012), the strategic framework for technical, financial and humanitarian cooperation (SDC OZA/Humanitarian Aid) and SECO in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. In Armenia, SDC Humanitarian Aid activities include “Rehabilitation and Reconstruction" and "Disaster Risk Reduction”.

SDC Disaster Risk Reduction/DRR in Armenia

Armenia is located within a zone particularly prone to earthquakes and other natutural disasters like landslides and floods frequently occuring on a small scale. In 2008, the Ministry of Emergency Situations was formed as a national agency in charge of all aspects concerning natural and man-made disasters. Since 2002, SDC is engaged in DRR projects namely in strengthening the decentralized response and rescue capacities in case of natural disasters. Since 2004, the Armenian Rescue Service under the Ministry of Emergency Situations is supported through the “Ardzagank” capacity building project preparing rescuers and fire fighters throughout the country to respond after events. Two sub-projects are promoting the integration of fire brigades in their municipalities and enhancing the capacities of the health sector to support onsite response in case of disasters. A next project phase supporting the development of further components within Armenia’s rescue structure to reach UN-INSARAG standards of a national urban search and rescue unit is under preparation.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations is currently planning to establish a Crisis Management Center as the main body for planning, co-coordinating and implementing measures related to natural and other forms of disasters (complementatary to a National Platform on Disater developped in cooperation with UNDP). To support the Ministry of Emergency Situations in establishing the Crisis Management Centre and to develop a national DRR Strategy, SDC is looking for an Expert on Disaster Risk Reduction to be deployed for a (one) year engagement to Armenia, seconded to the Ministry of Emergency.

Expert on Disaster Risk Reduction - Functional Statement

The main task of the DRR Expert will be to advice the Ministry of Emergency Armenia:

- Examination of the Crises Management Centre concept developed by the Ministry
- Development of solutions on structure, staffing, means of information exchange and organization of information flow based on international “best practices”
- Engagement of other specialists with specific profiles when needed
- Establishment of effective links with the National Platform
- Methodological support to the elaboration of a National Disaster Plan
- Support to the elaboration of a DRR Strategy
- Cooperation and coordination with UNDP

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required:

- Applicants are expected to be internationally recognized experts with a strong record on practical experience. The applicant should be familiar with international development concepts in Disaster Risk Reduction and Good Governance, with possibly knowhow in Organizational Development Risk/ Disaster Management and the ability to work in governmental structures.
- University Diploma Environmental Science (Natural Resources Management, Agronomy, Biology or in related field)
- 10 years of relevant experience in energy, natural resources management or in related field at the national or international level, in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
- Knowledge and experience with international development concepts in Disaster Risk Reduction and Good Governance, knowhow in Organizational development Risk/ Disaster Management
- Excellent Communication Skills. Good Knowledge of English (Russian, German, French an advantage)
- Team spirit, good initiative and collaboration skills
- Good analytical skills
- Advanced negotiation skills
- Able to work under pressure in a humanitarian situation
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability