Emergency officer

UNICEF Ethiopia is implementing a 5-year country programme 2020-2025 which is fully aligned with the UNSDCF. UNICEF will work collaboratively within the UNSDCF on a joint strategy to strengthen national systems for data collection, analysis, monitoring and applying adjustments to promote equity. Evidence will be used to monitor the situation of children, tracking progress towards equity and scale, and to inform advocacy to adjust policies, strategies and budgets. Monitoring and corrective actions will be undertaken through UNICEF staff, partners and third-party monitoring, and through mechanisms for community feedback and accountability to affected populations.

Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest region with approximately 43 million people, faces numerous challenges, including political instability, violence, and poverty. The region suffers from low socioeconomic development, evident in its Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.443, the lowest in Ethiopia. These challenges affect all sectors, particularly education, health, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), contributing to high levels of poverty, malnutrition, and child and maternal mortality.

Violence and insecurity have forced thousands to flee their homes, resulting in displaced populations needing food, shelter, and medical aid. Children are particularly vulnerable, with child labor, child marriage, trafficking, and abuse common in the region. The education system is severely underdeveloped, with only 42% of children accessing primary education, and healthcare services are limited, with high maternal and child mortality rates of 412 and 67 per 1,000 live births, respectively.

Access to clean water and sanitation is equally dire, with only 26% of the population having safe drinking water and 14% having improved sanitation, leading to widespread waterborne diseases. Internal conflicts exacerbated by ethnic tensions, land disputes, and political unrest have severely destabilized the region, leading to loss of lives, property destruction, and mass displacement.

Displaced persons, especially women and children, are facing health, education, and hygiene challenges in makeshift camps, where food insecurity and mental health issues are rampant. Despite the government’s efforts to return displaced individuals to their homes, insecurity, lack of services, and potential retaliatory violence pose a risk of re-displacement.

UNICEF plays a vital role in coordinating emergency responses in Oromia, often filling gaps in service delivery due to limited staff and partner capacity. However, the lack of a permanent presence has led to gaps in monitoring and ensuring a timely response to the needs of affected populations, particularly children and women.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Emergency manager, the UN Volunteer, Emergency officer will perform the following tasks:

* Emergency Planning and Response: The Emergency Officer will assist with the development and implementation of emergency response plans in coordination with UNICEF teams, government counterparts, and humanitarian partners.

* Strengthen Coordination: Support coordination with local authorities, humanitarian partners, and other stakeholders to ensure an integrated response. Facilitate communication to ensure timely emergency response is in place.

* Field Monitoring and Reporting: Conduct regular field visits to monitor the situation on the ground, assess the impact of interventions, and gather data to inform program adjustments. Assist in data collection and analysis to monitor the humanitarian situation based on key emergency indicators ensuring accurate and timely information is available for decision-making. Prepare situation reports, updates, and briefing notes for the UNICEF Amhara Field Office and share to country office.

* Strengthen Community Engagement during emergency: Work with local communities to build resilience and promote disaster preparedness, ensuring that interventions are community-driven and sustainable.