Consultant for Emergency Preparedness and Response

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a passionate workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, with a strong focus on humanitarian assistance, particularly in regions facing emergencies.

Job Overview:
The consultant will provide specialized, time-bound technical support to enhance UNICEF Ethiopia’s emergency preparedness, anticipatory action, and humanitarian response capacities. This role involves leading the cluster simplification and transition process, improving preparedness tools, and supporting coordination and analysis for IDP return operations in Tigray. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Chief of Emergency and Field Operations, filling a critical technical gap that existing staff cannot cover, ensuring timely, coordinated, and evidence-based humanitarian action across various sectors. The consultancy aims to ensure effective humanitarian action in Ethiopia by enhancing emergency preparedness systems and facilitating safe IDP returns.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the cluster simplification, transition, and exit planning to ensure a smooth handover to sector-led coordination.
• Strengthen emergency preparedness, anticipatory action, and rapid response capacities at both national and sub-national levels.
• Support high-quality reporting, data management, and situational analysis to inform operational decisions.
• Assist in planning, coordination, and technical support for IDP return operations in Tigray.
• Implement and update the Emergency Preparedness Platform (EPP) and oversee emergency information management, scenario planning, and resource mapping.
• Develop a national cluster simplification framework and support sector-specific exit plans.
• Monitor IDP returns and facilitate consultations with government and partners for smooth handover.
• Prepare weekly SitReps, dashboards, and analytical products for operational decision-making.
• Conduct training/support sessions for sector staff and partners on cluster handover and emergency preparedness. 1
• Submit various reports, including humanitarian updates and final consultancy reports with recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced university degree (Masters’ or higher) in Public Health, Social Sciences, Emergency, Disaster Management, Sanitary Engineering, or another relevant technical field is required. A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree. At least 8 years of relevant work experience at international and national levels in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration is essential. Specialized training/experience in resilience/nexus/durable solutions and public health emergencies’ programme management is highly desirable. Knowledge of development and humanitarian issues, strategies, and programming policies in international development cooperation is also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Masters’ or higher) in relevant fields such as Public Health, Social Sciences, Emergency, Disaster Management, or Sanitary Engineering. A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 8 years of relevant work experience at both international and national levels, specifically in programme/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration. Relevant experience in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts is essential, particularly in roles similar to this consultancy.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, along with proficiency in a second UN language. Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be time-bound, with specific deliverables outlined for various phases of the assignment. Applications submitted without a fee rate will not be considered. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women and persons with disabilities. The organization offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and abuse. Background checks will be conducted for all selected candidates.