Position Description:
The Disaster Preparedness Coordinator will lead the technical aspects of DACAAR’s ECHO-funded disaster preparedness project. This position ensures effective planning, coordination, quality implementation, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with ECHOs policies/Guidelines for Disaster Preparedness and grant agreement. The coordinator is responsible for Planning and training of DACAAR staff, community groups on local level. The coordinator is responsible for the timely achievement of project milestones, integration of community-led and gender-responsive practices, risk-informed planning, and coordination with key national and provincial stakeholders, including IEA line ministries, donor and Relevant clusters
Responsibilities
Project Planning and Initiation (Months 1–3):
- Establish internal and external project coordination mechanisms and finalize work plans in accordance with the grant agreement for the project or action.
- Lead kick-off meetings and ensure shared understanding of the disaster preparedness model developed, its participatory approach, specific objectives, indicators, target values, and contingency planning tools.
- Set up internal reporting, financial tracking, and MEAL systems in line with ECHO requirements.
- Engage with key external actors (ANDMA/PDMC, Red Cross, UN agencies) to initiate coordination, synergies, and define joint roles.
- Coordinate scheduled training sessions with the disaster preparedness team to identify potential disaster risks and vulnerabilities.
- Improve teamwork and make sure the team has a clear understanding of all project elements.
- Establish and maintain effective early warning systems and Monitor alerts and ensure timely dissemination of information.
- Liaise with the Fundraising & Communications Department in Kabul for ECHO communication and visibility products.
Strategic Leadership and Oversight (Months 4–20):
- Oversee all technical components of the project, including PRA facilitation, community- led hazard mapping, nature-based solutions, minor repairs, community drills, and contingency planning.
- Ensure the timely and high-quality implementation of field activities, monitoring that indicators are on track in the target provinces (East and West regions).
- Coordinate with the Environmental and Social Specialist to integrate protection, inclusion, and environment & climate awareness into planning and response.
- Guide the MEAL team in developing participatory M&E systems, complaints mechanism integration and using learning for adaptive management.
- Provide guidance and ensure that the protection of vulnerable groups, including women, elderly, minorities, and PWD.
- Respect ethical and humanitarian values and observe the highest ethical standards and best practices in the sector and within the specific operating environment.
- Comply with the principles of prioritizing safety and dignity, do no harm, access, accountability, and the empowerment and active participation of communities in the design, implementation and evaluation of actions.
- Ensure the active participation of the target Papulation in the design, implementation and evaluation of the Action.
Capacity Building (Ongoing):
- Conduct training for local staff (DACAAR staff and community volunteers).
- Strengthen youth-led disaster response teams if available or establish new.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing with ANDMA/PMCD, ECHO and other relevant actors.
- Lead risk-informed planning, scenario development, and rapid needs analysis to trigger crisis modifier interventions if needed.
- Ensure the readiness of pre-positioned stocks, local response rosters, and contingency mechanisms.
Quality Assurance and Reporting, Documentation, Learning (Throughout the project duration):
- Lead project reviews, adaptive planning, and mid-term reflection.
- Ensure timely and quality narrative reports, project learning reports, key area of study reports and financial reports in coordination with DACAAR finance, MEAL, and program teams.
- Document and disseminate best practices, lessons learned, and community feedback from the disasters happened recently and current interventions.
- Lead reflection workshops and contribute to DACAAR's institutional DP knowledge base.
- Collaborate closely on the external evaluation report to ensure alignment with donor requirements and key project reflections.
- Oversee beneficiary feedback systems and ensure Do No Harm and safeguarding standards
Project Closure (Months 21–24):
- Oversee end line assessments and project evaluation activities.
- Facilitate handover of tools, learning products, and preparedness systems to communities, local authorities.
- Submit final narrative and financial reports to ECHO and support audit readiness.
Other:
- In addition to the above specific tasks and responsibilities, the Disaster Preparedness Coordinator will undertake any other relevant thematic tasks assigned by the Deputy Director / Head of Programme.
- The holder of this position must strictly follow the organization's existing security policies, procedures, and daily instructions of the safety personnel
