PROJECT EMERGENCY RESPONSE OFFICER (EMRO)

Organization and Project Background

The World Rehabilitation Fund, Inc. (WRF) is an international humanitarian non-profit organization headquartered in New York with a mission “To enable individuals around the world with functional limitations and participation restrictions achieve community and social integration through physical and socio-economic rehabilitation and advocacy and to prevent disability and reduce disadvantage.”

In Lebanon, the programs of WRF started in the early 1980s with the provision of training and material and technical assistance to concerned national (governmental and non-governmental) organizations, academic institutions, professional groups, and community-based rehabilitation institutions.

WRF/Lebanon is initiating an Emergency Response to the needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) affected by, and / or resulting from, the Beirut explosion of August 04, 2020.

 
Job Purpose

The Project’s Emergency Response Officer (EMRO) will be recruited and will devote 100% of her/his time in the Office and Field to fulfill the Emergency Response deliverables. In this capacity, the EMRO will: (i) Develop and execute an emergency response action plan; (ii) liaise and coordinate with the Lebanese Army and local authorities in charge of emergency assistance; (iii) ensure on-the-ground coordination with UNHCR at the sectoral and regional (in Beirut/Mount Lebanon) levels; (iv) liaise and expand coordination with community partners concerning identification and referral of PWDs in need; (v) liaise and expand coordination with other concerned CSOs and INGOs particularly those serving persons with disabilities to avoid duplication and supplement and complement services to PWDs in need; (vi) process and supervise the provision of emergency assistance services to PWDs in the affected area; (vii) undertake necessary field operations; (viii) address beneficiary complaints and deal with problems and conflicts; (ix) maintain a database for beneficiaries and activities; (x) submit regular field reports and report on progress and challenges; and (xi) ensure integration of the Emergency Response  with other interventions implemented by WRF. In addition, the EMRO will assist in community awareness, advocacy, and coordination initiatives.

Key Tasks:

The EMRO will be responsible for the following tasks:

Assessment and planning:

• Conduct desk review of available assessments, surveys, and reports on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) among refugees from Syria and in host communities in Beirut and Mount Lebanon area, particularly the area affected by Beirut explosion of August 4, 2020.
• Develop an operational action plan and interventions based on the Project’s objectives, targets, priorities, selection criteria, referral system, and deliverables.
• Prepare a detailed implementation plan and spending plan in consultation with the team and partners.
• Coordinate the design and adaptation of tools and materials needed for the implementation of the project.
• Support in drafting emergency concept notes, proposals and reports in close coordination with staff as needed.

Project Implementation:

• Disseminate Project related information to project partners, stakeholders and target beneficiaries as may be appropriate.
• Coordinate with local authorities, partners on the ground, and relevant stakeholders engaged in emergency assistance.
• Ensure on-the-ground coordination with UNHCR at the sectoral and regional (in Beirut/Mount Lebanon) levels.
• Identify and liaise with potential community support partners for coordination and referral of cases that cannot be served by the project (cases in need of surgical interventions, psychosocial support (PSS), medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, etc.).
• Undertake regular, and as needed, field visits and ensure the provision of quality services to persons with disabilities as necessary and as agreed with service providers.
• Meet with the Project Operations Director and other concerned team members regularly to review progress, discuss challenges and propose corrective actions.
• Maintain a database (hard and soft copies) for Project beneficiaries and for all crucial project documents.
• Monitor Project deadlines and report to the Project Operations Director on implementation challenges and potential delays.
• Identify potential issues, conflicts or risks that could affect the proper implementation of the project, or that could do harm to beneficiaries, and work with the senior Project team to identify solutions.
• Maintain professional ethics and respect the confidentiality of information and data about the Project and beneficiaries.
• Support in awareness and advocacy activities in the field.
• Carry out other duties as needed and requested by the Project senior management and as may be appropriate.

Project Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting:

• Provide timely and relevant information to the Project M&E team.
• Support the M&E team in monitoring and follow-up assessments.
• Report regularly and as needed on progress and challenges.
• Recommend corrective action whenever needed.