Back Programme Officer - Disaster Risk Management

UNDP has committed to contribute to the disaster risk management and climate change adaptation in Malawi and supports the Government of Malawi in the process through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA). To facilitate the smooth implementation of the disaster risk management and climate change adaptation interventions DoDMA, with support from the UNDP, is in the process of recruiting a Programme Officer for Disaster Risk Management and Resilience. The Programme Officer for Disaster Risk Management and Resilience would work within the framework of the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA).

Established through the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act of 1991, DoDMA is the Government of Malawi’s agency responsible for coordinating and directing the implementation of disaster risk management programmes in the country in order to improve and safeguard the quality of life of Malawians, especially those vulnerable to and affected by disasters.

The Programme Officer would represent  DoDMA at national and district levels based on the description of tasks as laid out in these terms of reference, to address the issues pertaining to the impact, frequency and scope of disasters in Malawi.  In the past two decades, disasters have intensified and are likely to worsen with climate change, compounded by other factors such as population growth (3.2%) and environmental degradation.  Since 2015, Malawi has experienced three major climate related disasters with cumulative loss of $929 Million and cumulative reconstruction costs amounting to $1.4 Billion, and the frequency of climate related disasters is increasing in spatial and temporal scales.

The Government of Malawi adopted resilience, risk-reduction and people-centred approaches to mitigate the impact of future disasters through recovery pillars aimed at enhancing peoples’ capacity to prepare for and withstand risk; strengthening disaster risk reduction (DRR) and drought resilience; and integrating gender concerns into all recovery interventions.

 

• Support the implementation and coordination of the UNDP supported Disaster Risk Management for Resilience (DRM4R) programme
• Monitoring and supervising the implementation of structural and non-structural disaster resilience programmes;
• Compiling progress reports on DRM programmes for appraising government, donors and other stakeholders;
• Liaising with various stakeholders on disaster risk management programmes planned and/or being implemented;
• Guiding Local Authorities and non-government organizations in the identification and implementation of disaster risk management interventions.
• Participating in training and sensitization of local disaster risk management structures.
• Participating in budgeting for disaster resilience activities and carry out any other duties assigned
   

• Excellent knowledge of current development issues particularly those pertinent to disaster risk management and climate change. 
• Ability to successfully lead multidisciplinary experts and to coordinate the work of others.
• Good understanding on sectoral mandates, disaster risk management, climate change adaptation and organizational development in Malawi;
• Must be a results-oriented team player with excellent interpersonal skills, including enthusiasm, tact, diplomacy and high integrity, concise and analytical thinking.

• Minimum of Master`s degree in Disaster Risk Management, Climate Sciences and Environmental Sciences.
• 2 years of relevant work experience in disaster risk management at national and district level.
• Experience in the usage of computers, including office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Ability to produce high-quality outputs within reasonable time frame while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs.
• Effective communication skills in English and local languages     

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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Contract Duration: 1 Year