Rapid Response Team
Established through secondments from member agencies, the CPWG Rapid Response Team (RRT) provides high quality, rapidly deployable Child Protection coordination and technical capacity in humanitarian situations. Deployments are made to UNICEF, as Sub-Cluster lead agency for Child Protection, at the country level to support the interagency coordination of Child Protection responses.
Who are the RRT? The RRT consists of three high calibre CP professionals with proven coordination skills as well as technical Child Protection expertise who are provided by three agencies – Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and Save the Children Sweden (SCS) – and seconded to UNICEF as the Sub-Cluster lead agency.
Elaine Jepsen
Based in Geneva - currently deployed in Yemen
Elaine Jepsen has significant
experience
humanitarian
across Africa and Asia in child protection programming, rapid needs assessments and establishing coordination
coordinating response,
mechanisms.. Her work experience also covers emergency education and humanitarian protection. Elaine has worked for UNICEF, OCHA, IOM and several NGOs both in conflict and natural disaster settings during which she has been a coordinator working with Government, UN, International and local NGOs. She has led strategic planning and action planning, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, coordinated fundraising and advocacy initiatives and represented agencies. Elaine is a New Zealander, and has graduate qualifications in Education, specialising in Primary Education and an LLM in International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law focusing on Special Procedures. › Show full bio
Hani Mansourian
Based in New York
IS seconded by NRC and has worked with different UN agencies and NGOs implementing, coordinating and monitoring child protection, refugee and health programs in the Middle East, Central Africa and Asia..
Hani previously worked with UNICEF as a child protection officer during the aftermath of two natural disasters. During the past few years, the focus of his work has been on Information Management in the areas of child protection and health in emergency and post-conflict environments. Recently, Hani has been working with the Global CPWG on the development of child protection rapid assessment methodologies and tools for emergency environments. He brings technical skills in assessment and evaluation design, including quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis, management, use and dissemination. Hani is also a seasoned trainer and is able to communicate M&E concepts clearly for a variety of audiences. He is fluent in English and Persian, proficient in French and can read Arabic. › Show full bio
Helene Villeneuve
Based in Geneva
IS seconded by DRC. Canadian, studied Educational and Social sciences specializing in Education for children with special needs, Training and Intercultural communication.. She enrolled in a project management diploma and completed a Post-graduate project on psychosocial adaptation modes during early childhood at Toulouse University, France. Helene has over 20 years work experience in emergencies, both conflict and natural disasters, early recovery, and development phases in most of the affected continents in the world such as Central and South America, the Arab world, West and East Africa and Far East Asia. Mostly during the last 10 years, she has been specializing in CPiE where she managed, designed projects and programs, strengthened capacities and coordinated thematic groups as well as the CP sub-cluster in Guinea, Pakistan and Ivory Coast. › Show full bio
Click
here to download the Rapid Response team Leaflet.
How long are they available? The RRT can provide dedicated surge capacity to any Country Office taking on the role of CP Sub-Cluster lead. RRT personnel are deployable for a period of up to 12 weeks.
What are the costs associated with a deployment? All assignment related costs, such as travel and accomodation
Does a contract need to be issued? No contract needs to be issued, although ToRs must be provided with the initial request, and the RRT personnel must be fully accommodated within in the Country Operation (Official ID card; assigned supervisor; included in the organizational chart and security arrangements; induction briefings; necessary equipment and transportation). Generic ToRs are available in order to facilitate the development of more specific ToRs.
Are RRT personnel UNICEF staff? RRT personnel are employed by their organisations and are seconded to UNICEF through a standby arrangement with partner agencies.They are to be fully accommodated within the UNICEF Operation. Under the UN Rules and Regulations they are considered as Type II Gratis Personnel, and are given the status of ‘Experts on Mission’ to the UN.
What about support for UNICEF’s own emergency CP response? The RRT is not intended for agency specific interventions. Support for UNICEF’s own response can be sought from the Regional Emergency Advisor, staff on mission from other UNICEF offices, other Standby Agreements, and external recruitment.
Who to contact? The deployment of the RRT is managed through existing Standby Agreements administered by UNICEF (EMOPS) in Geneva. A Request Form and ToRs should be provided for every request.
