Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P4
Location: Aswan, Egypt (with some travel to Cairo)
Duration: 3 months
Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request
Fighting between the Army of Sudan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted on April 15, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee the country to neighboring countries. Over 215,000 people fleeing fighting in Sudan have crossed into Egypt, including third-country nationals, most of whom are women and children (June 2023 – UNHCR Egypt). It is also projected that 350,000 refugees and asylum seekers will have entered Egypt by the end of 2023. An estimated 84,000 (24 percent) will be women of reproductive age, including around 3,360 women with disabilities and 8,365 pregnant women, who will need access to antenatal, delivery and postnatal care.
UNFPA estimates that around 770 pregnant women will experience obstetric complications or need a caesarean section, and around 550 newborns will experience complications, requiring access to Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care. These numbers might increase depending on the overall proportion of women and girls crossing the border.
Protection risks are exacerbated for women and girls as well as the rest of community members. As reported by UNFPA female staff who recently crossed the border from Sudan “women and girls’ vulnerability to all forms of violence, including psychological, and sexual exploitation and abuse is increased by chaos at the border and a lack of awareness of both the country context and available GBV services”. UNFPA estimates that around 1,680 survivors of sexual violence will seek protection services. In all crises, however, sexual violence is severely under-reported due to widespread fear, limitations in services, restricted mobility, as well as a lack of information, isolation and stigma and this number is likely to be an underestimation.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats:
The general security situation in Egypt remains relatively stable. Most security incidents affecting UN personnel is opportunistic criminal activity. Additionally, UN premises remain vulnerable to potential public events, including demonstrations. However, these events are usually coordinated with the local authorities and are peaceful.
The main threats that may affect UN staff and programmes in Egypt excluding Greater Cairo, Western Desert and Sinai Security Area include:
Terrorism - While terror attacks can happen in any part of the country and are indiscriminate, no significant terrorist related incidents were reported outside of North Sina region during the first six months of 2023.The main targets for terrorist related activity remains the security forces and not the UN or international community.
Crime - The crime rate in Egypt is generally low. However, like any other location, staff members need to remain mindful of personal security measures while on the street and in public places, as UN personnel continue to report incidents of robberies, mugging, sexual harassment, and break-ins. Fighting between tribes in Aswan does sporadically occur due to family feuds. This is usually accompanied using weapons. While the UN is not a target, collateral injury cannot be ruled out.
Hazards - Various hazards pose a serious threat to UN personnel and programmes. Accidents are common, mainly due to poor road conditions, dangerous driving habits and non-enforcement of traffic laws. UN personnel have been victims of road traffic crashes during their daily movement.
Role Description: Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA CO Representative and in close collaboration with Gender and SRH programmes specialists, The Senior Emergency Coordinator will provide direct support to Egypt Country Office in their response to Sudan Crises. He/She will oversee on a daily basis implementation of the Humanitarian SOP’s and coordination of necessary operational hubs set up during the emergency. He/She will closely work with national authorities, humanitarian agencies, civil society and local counterparts to provide humanitarian assistance to the crisis affected communities in a manner consistent with the methodology outlined in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Cluster system and Humanitarian Programme Cycle https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/programme-cycle
The CO Representative will continue to fulfill its representation function (UNCT, HCT, SMT) meetings with governments and donors.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Programme Development and Implementation
Rapid Assessments/field visits
Programmatic and operational support to emergency response, as relevant
Orientation / Training
Coordination
Reporting
Capacity Development
Resource Mobilization/Humanitarian funding
Any Other Duties
Qualifications and Skills Required:
P Level: P4
Location: Aswan, Egypt (with some travel to Cairo)
Duration: 3 months
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Language: English and Arabic requiredBackground Description of Emergency / Justification for Request
Fighting between the Army of Sudan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted on April 15, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee the country to neighboring countries. Over 215,000 people fleeing fighting in Sudan have crossed into Egypt, including third-country nationals, most of whom are women and children (June 2023 – UNHCR Egypt). It is also projected that 350,000 refugees and asylum seekers will have entered Egypt by the end of 2023. An estimated 84,000 (24 percent) will be women of reproductive age, including around 3,360 women with disabilities and 8,365 pregnant women, who will need access to antenatal, delivery and postnatal care.
UNFPA estimates that around 770 pregnant women will experience obstetric complications or need a caesarean section, and around 550 newborns will experience complications, requiring access to Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care. These numbers might increase depending on the overall proportion of women and girls crossing the border.
Protection risks are exacerbated for women and girls as well as the rest of community members. As reported by UNFPA female staff who recently crossed the border from Sudan “women and girls’ vulnerability to all forms of violence, including psychological, and sexual exploitation and abuse is increased by chaos at the border and a lack of awareness of both the country context and available GBV services”. UNFPA estimates that around 1,680 survivors of sexual violence will seek protection services. In all crises, however, sexual violence is severely under-reported due to widespread fear, limitations in services, restricted mobility, as well as a lack of information, isolation and stigma and this number is likely to be an underestimation.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats:
The general security situation in Egypt remains relatively stable. Most security incidents affecting UN personnel is opportunistic criminal activity. Additionally, UN premises remain vulnerable to potential public events, including demonstrations. However, these events are usually coordinated with the local authorities and are peaceful.
The main threats that may affect UN staff and programmes in Egypt excluding Greater Cairo, Western Desert and Sinai Security Area include:
Terrorism - While terror attacks can happen in any part of the country and are indiscriminate, no significant terrorist related incidents were reported outside of North Sina region during the first six months of 2023.The main targets for terrorist related activity remains the security forces and not the UN or international community.
Crime - The crime rate in Egypt is generally low. However, like any other location, staff members need to remain mindful of personal security measures while on the street and in public places, as UN personnel continue to report incidents of robberies, mugging, sexual harassment, and break-ins. Fighting between tribes in Aswan does sporadically occur due to family feuds. This is usually accompanied using weapons. While the UN is not a target, collateral injury cannot be ruled out.
Hazards - Various hazards pose a serious threat to UN personnel and programmes. Accidents are common, mainly due to poor road conditions, dangerous driving habits and non-enforcement of traffic laws. UN personnel have been victims of road traffic crashes during their daily movement.
Role Description: Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA CO Representative and in close collaboration with Gender and SRH programmes specialists, The Senior Emergency Coordinator will provide direct support to Egypt Country Office in their response to Sudan Crises. He/She will oversee on a daily basis implementation of the Humanitarian SOP’s and coordination of necessary operational hubs set up during the emergency. He/She will closely work with national authorities, humanitarian agencies, civil society and local counterparts to provide humanitarian assistance to the crisis affected communities in a manner consistent with the methodology outlined in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Cluster system and Humanitarian Programme Cycle https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/programme-cycle
The CO Representative will continue to fulfill its representation function (UNCT, HCT, SMT) meetings with governments and donors.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Programme Development and Implementation
- Ensure inclusion of RH, GBV, and gender concerns in joint UNCT/UNDAC missions and other rapid assessments in close collaboration with RH and GBV Specialists
- Advise the UNFPA CO assist in the preparation for and participate in coordination meetings relating to emergency response and ensure follow up.
- Coordinate the implementation of the UNFPA Standards Operating Procedures for humanitarian settings.
- Liaise with UNFPA ROs, SROs and HQ units to share information, provide necessary updates and seek guidance as necessary.
- Identify areas of collaboration with humanitarian agencies and national counterparts to address RH, HIV/AIDS, youth, gender and GBV issues in their plans, and programmes.
- Liaise with community organizations, faith-based organizations, and community leaders to increase their participation in the process of planning, monitoring and evaluating activities.
- Participate in CO and other cluster/ inter-agency meetings as needed.
Rapid Assessments/field visits
- Review and offer technical oversight on UNFPA Emergency Response Plan, including the M&E Humanitarian Monitoring system
- Carry-out regular environment scanning for possible partnerships with new actors
- Ensure inclusion of UNFPA’s core Areas of Commitment in ongoing strategic interventions
- Undertake and participate in UN-led missions to recommend strategic interventions to address gender, GBV, mental health, RH among other issues
Programmatic and operational support to emergency response, as relevant
- Coordinate the effective implementation of the UNFPA Standards Operating Procedures for humanitarian settings
- Ensure all incoming emergency field personnel (Safe Space coordinators and UNFPA consultants) are effectively on boarded and integrated
- Ensure inclusion of RH and GBV concerns are well reflected in UNCT and other assessment reports
- Regular technical contribution to formulation of advocacy messages for the Government
- Lead in the coordination of field meetings in Aswan with partners and authorities as needed, and participate in ongoing UN-level coordination meetings in Aswan
- Liaise with UNFPA ASRO to share information, provide field updates as needed (UNFPA Sudan Response Task-Force)
- Identify areas of collaboration with national partners (namely Egyptian Red Crescent), national partners and humanitarian actors
- Liaise and identify active and key community organizations in Aswan and establish direct coordination and referral of services
Orientation / Training
- Familiarize/orient the CO with existing rapid needs assessment tools.
- Familiarize/ Orient the CO staff and implementing partners with existing UNFPA emergency procedures and the Humanitarian SOP’s where necessary. Liaise with other staff on whether they need to conduct any rapid training interventions and provide necessary support.
Coordination
- Participate in UNFPA Cluster / Working Group coordination meetings to share knowledge and ensure comprehensive understanding.
- Ensure inclusion of UNFPA mandate through participation in existing Clusters, and/or, if appropriate, assist in the establishment of working groups
- Liaise with other sectors/Clusters (such as health, protection, WASH, camp management, education, logistics, early recovery) to ensure inclusion of UNFPA’s mandate.
Reporting
- Assist the CO in preparing relevant advocacy material and updates for relevant stakeholders and partners including donors.
- Assist in providing regular updates to Cluster leads on UNFPA’s humanitarian interventions to be included in situation reports
- Track and regularly update supported humanitarian interventions (i.e. status of funding proposals, distribution of supplies, training).
Capacity Development
- Provide onboarding to newly recruited staff, consults and UNFPA service providers in Aswan
- Ensure that field staff have completed PSEA crash-course, developed by UNFPA and partner Agencies
- Build capacities of staff members of Safe Spaces, field coordinators and service providers on emergency response in humanitarian crisis
Resource Mobilization/Humanitarian funding
- Advocate for inclusion of ICPD PoA in emergency response and ensure UNFPA is well positioned in resource mobilization efforts, including humanitarian funding mechanisms such as Flash Appeal/ CERF).
- As necessary, identify and organize meetings with in-country donors to discuss resource mobilization.
Any Other Duties
- Perform any other duties as required by the Representative and/or Head of Office, RO/SRO, and HQ.
Qualifications and Skills Required:
- Advanced technical degree preferably in medicine, public health, social sciences, humanitarian response, international relations or related field.
- At least seven years of experience in coordinating, developing and implementing humanitarian interventions in crisis settings.
- Knowledge of the humanitarian reform process and roles/responsibilities of humanitarian actors.
- Strong analytical, coordination and organizational skills.
- Proficiency in English and Arabic is required.
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy towards Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.