Especialista en preparación de desastres

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in Bolivia, focusing on reducing inequality, particularly for indigenous populations, and ensuring children's rights are central to sustainable development. The program aligns with national development plans and the UN's Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. UNICEF has a long-standing presence in the Amazon basin, with established programs in Bolivia addressing WASH, education, child protection, and humanitarian responses. This role supports a project strengthening disaster preparedness in vulnerable indigenous Amazonian communities.

Job Purpose

The UNV Disaster Preparedness Specialist will support UNICEF's territorial implementation of a project aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and response in indigenous Amazonian communities, specifically within the Territorio Indígena Multiétnico (TIM) and San Ignacio de Moxos. The role focuses on fostering coordination among institutions, indigenous authorities, and local governments to ensure participatory, relevant, and timely project execution. This position is crucial for aligning interventions with the humanitarian-development nexus approach, strengthening local capacities, and ensuring the continuity of essential services for children in disaster-prone areas, building upon regional experiences and addressing risks like floods, droughts, and fires.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of UNICEF's Climate, Energy, Environment, and Disaster Risk Reduction Officer, the UNV Specialist will facilitate institutional coordination with local governments (GIA TIM, GAM San Ignacio de Moxos), departmental authorities, civil defense, and indigenous leaders to ensure project recognition and alignment with territorial priorities. Responsibilities include coordinating permanent engagement with various stakeholders, supporting meetings and field visits, and promoting the involvement of strategic actors like academia and the private sector. The role involves supporting the identification and prioritization of intervention communities based on vulnerability and risk, accompanying operational implementation with partners, and monitoring activities to ensure they align with emergency preparedness, anticipatory action, child protection, and cultural relevance. The Specialist will also contribute to documenting progress, lessons learned, and operational challenges, and will support UNICEF's humanitarian response in case of sudden crises, including needs assessments and essential aid delivery for children in WASH, health, nutrition, and protection sectors.

Work Experience

Requires 3 years of general experience, with specific experience in planning, implementing, or monitoring disaster risk management, emergency preparedness, anticipatory action, or humanitarian response programs. Experience in inter-institutional coordination with sub-national governments, community organizations, and humanitarian actors is essential. Field experience with rural and/or indigenous communities, including consultation and territorial coordination, is required. Knowledge of Bolivian risk management frameworks and emergency response mechanisms is necessary. Experience in the Bolivian Amazon or remote areas, and with projects focusing on interculturality, child protection, WASH, health, or education in emergencies, is desirable.

Skills

Key skills include professionalism, integrity, teamwork, respect for diversity, continuous learning, planning and organization, and effective communication. The role requires strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, adaptability to work in remote and challenging conditions, and the ability to coordinate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Proficiency in office software and collaborative platforms is needed. A genuine commitment to volunteerism and the values of the UN and UNICEF is essential. Community development experience is also noted.

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