Local Disaster Risk Reduction Officer At RET International

Position Description

Reporting Line

The Local Disaster Risk Reduction Officer reports to the National Project Officer and the Local RET Coordinator in Venezuela.

The Local Disaster Risk Reduction Officer is responsible for the proper programmatic, operational, technical implementation and monitoring of projects.

Main location

The position is based in the RET Sucre Local Office, located in Cumaná, Sucre state, with permanent field missions.

General Responsibilities

Implementation of activities in the sector of risk and socio-natural and technological disasters.

• Participate in the implementation of general activities for the Protection of risks and socio-natural disasters.
• Exercise responsibility for activities to identify, assess, categorize, prioritize, and treat risks, including anticipatory and corrective actions aimed at mitigating specific problems.
• Develop risk maps and strategic action plans to mitigate key threats to schools and communities and monitor progress on risk management efforts.
• Develop and disseminate risk analysis and progress reports
• Integrate risk management priorities into the strategic planning of the project under implementation with community participation.
• Develop and implement information strategies and risk control measures to protect and manage risks related to the use, storage and transmission of data and information systems and technological events.
• Identify and document vulnerable communities; the actions to be taken with regional risk and disaster security agencies to establish safe places that can serve as temporary shelters in the event of a catastrophic event.
• Create and configure a regional catastrophic events database that serves as a reference for taking action in the event of potential disasters.
• Implement the work plans and guidelines for the area of ​​risk and socio-natural and technological disasters.
• Promote the implementation of training and awareness programs for communities and schools on disaster prevention and preparedness.
• Contribute to the development of tools (KoBo, Toolbox).

Coordination and management of local actors and partners in reducing socio-natural and technological risk.

• Actively participate in subclusters and Field Coordination Centers (FCCs) related to housing, energy and household goods.
• Identify and characterize regional and local actors related to the risk sector and socio-natural and technological disasters.
• Promote timely and effective participation with actors and partners linked to the risk sector and socio-natural and technological disasters.
• Identify opportunities for regional and local institutional linkages and alliances with the relevant organisations in this area.

Institutional guidelines and standards

• Provide professional and technical knowledge and experience in spaces of interaction or synergy with RET programs and teams.
• Support the processes of systematization of experiences and good practices in relation to the risk sector and socio-natural and technological disasters, their internal and external articulations in support of the organization’s knowledge management.
• Maintain adequate communication at internal and external levels.
• Develop a positive working relationship to contribute to teamwork, good communication and the achievement of objectives.
• Support the development of new proposals in the area of ​​technical expertise.
• Incorporate the values ​​that guide institutional action in the development of interventions.
• Fully comply with internal policies and procedures, ensuring that activities and performance comply with the provisions of the Code of Conduct, the PSEA, the Security Manual and the Procedures Manual of the organization.
• Ensure the safety and maintenance of facilities and equipment.
• Propose alternative solutions to problems that arise in the work area, from a constructive perspective.
• Ensure the completion of activities by incorporating creativity, innovation and initiative in order to overcome obstacles that arise in the development of work.
• Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive matters of particular interest to security and the institution.
• Make requests for materials according to project needs.
• Request your travel expenses using the DSA and Working Advance formats and legalize the Expense Report before (15) days after the mission ends using the established format.
• Promote and maintain integrity, transparency and responsibility in all actions and decisions.
• Other binding tasks assigned by the National Project Coordinator, the Local Coordinator and the Program Manager

Specific responsibilities

Implementation and development of community strategies for social risk and natural and technological disasters.

Promote the implementation of the socio-natural and technological risk strategy in the different areas of project intervention.

• Implement different training programs, applying the established planning, methodology and instruments, including training workshops on risk and socio-natural and technological disasters in the communities.
• Implement workshops on socio-natural and technological risk and disasters in the communities, and those workshops established by the National Office.
• Strengthen the capacities of community, school and municipal disaster risk management committees and train their members in disaster prevention and preparedness.
• Establish early warning systems for the different socio-natural and technological risks detected.
• Coordinate disaster preparedness drills and exercises with community participation.
• Promote participation as a basic human need, a right and a requirement for the success of any initiative. Participation is both an end and a means; without participation there will be no process and there will be no substantial and sustainable change.
• Organize home visits in communities and institutions (schools, health centers, etc.) to identify vulnerabilities in terms of socio-natural and technological risks and disasters in the communities.
• Participate in activities to disseminate strategies for socio-natural and technological risk and disasters in communities.
• Support in the design, implementation and/or monitoring of any relevant activity pertaining to the project.
• Ensure that all activities are in line with the code of conduct, local priorities and sector priorities.

Community mobilization

• Train and mobilize members of beneficiary communities.
• Identify key actors within communities and local institutions: schools, health centers, clinics, churches, etc.
• Apply the methodologies defined by Management and Technical Coordination to achieve the objectives.
• Stimulate alliances to strengthen community management in civil and state organizations aimed at promoting, qualifying, and strengthening local and regional development processes.

Data collection, monitoring and reporting

• Implement data collection on needs, program development, satisfaction level and program suggestions.
• Collection and recording of data on project indicators and potential beneficiaries.
• Report daily activities, incidents and achievements.
• Report on the use of materials and possible improvements.
• Prepare the necessary quantitative and qualitative reports and data management of the activities (databases, Means of Verification).
• Document success stories and recommend replication of experiences.
• Collection and recording of good practices and lessons learned during implementation
• Provides feedback and reports through mechanisms and encourages their use by the community.
• Ensure the quality and timely delivery of verification means.
• Report periodically to the National Project Officer on project implementation, identification and management of project risks and the context of implementation.
• Ensure the proper organization, digitalization, presentation and consolidation of the data and instruments collected in the activities carried out, in accordance with the guidelines determined by the National M&E Officer.
• Maintain and update digital and printed files of project component documentation, ensuring their confidentiality and protection.
• Keep project component data up-to-date and accessible, focusing on the information management system.

Additionally, like all RET staff

• Work with trust and integrity and have a clear commitment to RET’s core values ​​and principles, ensuring that activities and performance comply with the RET Code of Conduct, the PSEA and other Internal Policies and Procedures Manuals;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating management and leadership skills;
• Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with relevant institutions and organisations, and with internal and external stakeholders, as a RET representative. These skills include effective negotiation and representation;
• Propose, in a constructive manner, alternative solutions to problems that arise in the work area and in a transversal manner.
• Qualifications and requirements
• Professional with experience in issues related to risk management, with experience in the formulation of local reports both in the area of ​​socioeconomic impact and in reports on vulnerability to disasters in the region, with experience in the area of ​​disaster risk reduction.
• Bachelor’s degree in Geography, Environmental Management, Agricultural Engineering with specialization or Master’s degree in risk and socio-natural and technological disasters. It may also be a University Degree in Risk Management (Mérida has the degree), Geographer, Environmental Sciences, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in humanitarian work, in the area of ​​irrigation and socio-natural and technological disasters related to an NGO or other non-profit organization.
• Handling of the QGIS program (mandatory, you must have the knowledge and experience in handling it).
• Experience in management and implementation of social and community projects.
• Aimed at training programs or projects aimed at local institutions and community organizations.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and provide immediate responses. Ability to work in high-pressure environments and make quick decisions.
• Knowledge and application of sensitive approaches in project design.
• Knowledge of participatory methodologies and gender approach in communities.
• Previous experience in UN agencies or NGOs is considered an advantage.
• Venezuelan nationality or permission to work in Venezuela is required (essential).
• Immediate availability required.
• Solid knowledge of laws and regulations implemented in the country in socio-natural and/or technological risk management.
• Leader who ensures a productive and trusting work environment, trains and motivates local teams to achieve organizational goals.
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple responsibilities.
• Results-oriented, with a track record of meeting objectives in a complex environment.
• Flexibility to manage different tasks effectively and willingness to put in extra hours when necessary.
• Field experience and work with urban, and/or rural, and/or indigenous communities.
• Experience and ability to interview people of all ages, gender and diversity.
• Languages: Basic level of English
• Good skills in working with tablets and computers.
• Proficiency in Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Outlook).
• Will and ability to learn.