Rapid Assessment and Response Officer

Duty Station: Lao Cai city, Viet Nam
Type of Appointment: Consultancy Contract – VNM2/3
Duration: 6 months with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 5:00 PM (GMT+7), 16 October 2024

1. Background

Typhoon Yagi has inflicted severe damage across the northern provinces of Viet Nam, emerging as one of the most impactful storms to affect the region in the past thirty years. The typhoon’s powerful winds and torrential rains have led to widespread devastation, particularly in the mountainous areas, which have borne the brunt of the storm’s impact.

In more remote areas, the combination of steep terrain and heavy rains has triggered numerous landslides, burying roads and critical infrastructure under debris. The aftermath of Typhoon Yagi has also resulted in widespread displacement, as many individuals have been forced to evacuate or leave their homes due to severe damage.

In response to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s formal request to support the populations severely impacted by Typhoon Yagi, IOM is mobilizing and deploying resources to support the most needed communities in northern provinces. With its global operational footprint in crisis response, recovery and durable solutions, as well as specialized expertise as co-lead of the Emergency Shelter/NFIs sector and active member of the Health Sector in Viet Nam, IOM can ensure an efficient and well-coordinated response to both immediate needs and long-term recovery.

From 19 to 29 September 2024, IOM has distributed emergency relief hygiene items to Ha Giang and Phu Tho provinces. In the coming months, IOM plans to support more comprehensively the affected populations in Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, and Lang Son, with cash-based interventions, non-food items distributions, shelter repairing/rebuilding, among others. To support the fast-moving implementation at field level, IOM is recruiting one or two local Project Officer(s) for an initial duration of 6 months, with potential to extend to 11 months.

2. Objective of the consultancy

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programs and Partnership in Vietnam, the direct supervision of the National Program Officer in Hanoi, and in close coordination with relevant project officers, the successful candidate will be responsible for the management and coordination of IOM’s Rapid Assessment and Response activities related to the Emergency Response Program in Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, and Lang Son. This position will spend 75% of the time in field locations across the targeted provinces.

3. Scope of work

1. Pilot and refine IOM’s assessment questionnaire in response to Typhoon Yagi, as well as work closely with other project officers to identify required personnel for a Rapid Assessment and Response Team for the targeted provinces.

2. Manage, coordinate and ensure the implementation of the assessment, response, monitoring and evaluation activities. This will include all or some of the following tasks:

Conduct needs assessments at the targeted provinces. Utilize information obtained as an input for corrective decision making and informed programming.
Provide feedback on the assessment questionnaire and modify it if needed.
Identify, train, and manage a team of enumerators. Provide technical training, guidance and feedback in accordance with the organization’s procedures and regulations.
Manage the verification and registration of beneficiaries in the targeted areas, including but not limited to coordination with authorities, community leaders and representatives, as well as local partners.
Manage the distributions of relief items in the targeted provinces, while ensuring that all the beneficiary information is recorded, and all the internal requirements of conducting distributions are met.
Conduct post distribution monitoring for all cash provision and non-food item distribution.

3. Support the coordination of different projects’ activities at the field level to ensure a well-coordinated, efficient, timely and proper IOM response.

4. Manage field operational activities. Coordinate with the head office in Hanoi to make sure all financial and administrative procedures are followed accordingly and ensure quality control and adherence to IOM’s procedural standards and policies as well as donor requirements at field level.

5. Liaise as required, with local authorities. Provide updates about project implementation and seek their feedback and endorsement if required.

6. Prepare implementation and progress reports, as well as other materials or correspondence relevant to ongoing activities.

7. Represent IOM at field level meetings for relevant project activities if needed.

8. Ensure the implementation of appropriate safety and security procedures related to the protection of IOM staff, its assets and operations. Ensure that all relevant security information is properly disseminated.

9. Perform such other related duties as may be assigned.

4. Require Qualifications & Experience

Education

University degree in the above fields

Experience

At least five years’ experience in Emergency Response and Disaster Management.
Operational and extensive experience in program implementation and evaluation at the field level.
Experience in liaison with government governmental authorities and local communities, and other stakeholders on the province and commune level
Combination of training and experience in the field of operations, preferably in natural disaster or post crises.

Languages

Fluency in English and Vietnamese is required. Working knowledge of any local language is an advantage.

5. Submission

Qualified consultant is requested to submit the following proposal package in English, electronically to iomvietnamhr@iom.int:

Cover letter including Financial proposal – Please provide the rate per working day
Curriculum Vitae

Deadline for submission: 5:00 PM (GMT +7), 16 October 2024.

Female consultants are encouraged to bid for this required service. Preference will be given to equally technically qualified female consultants.