Closing date:

Consultant

City/location:
Virtual
Organization:
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

This job posting has closed

Background

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human and economic and social losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations. In adopting ISDR, the United Nations General Assembly also endorsed the establishment of the ISDR secretariat (UNISDR). The main functions of the secretariat are policy coordination, advocacy and information/knowledge management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

As part of its mandate and advocacy efforts, UNISDR takes the lead in coordinating biennial World Disaster Reduction Campaigns (WDRC). These campaigns aim to raise awareness, mobilize action, and harness existing practices to reduce loss of life, and protect the livelihood and social and environmental assets of communities and nations from the impact of disasters. Following the decision of the 12th Inter-Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction, five different topics have been identified for the WDRC. Each topic reflects one of the five priorities outlined in the Hyogo Framework for Action.

The focus of the 2010-2011 world campaign will be on “Urban Risk Reduction”, the issue also being one of the thematic priorities identified during the first session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, on 5-7 June 2007. A broad consensus has been reached today over the fact that rapid urbanization and high population densities are placing an increasing number of people and property at risk. Urban risk reduction has now become a moral imperative to reduce the loss of human lives as well as tangible assets, both in industrialised countries and the developing world.

Duties and responsabilities

Under the overall guidance of the Senior Coordinator for Advocacy and Outreach and in close collaboration with the UNISDR focal point for local authorities, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

1.  Produce the campaign “Information Kit”: The overarching goal of the current campaign is to mobilize governments, communities, businesses, and individuals to ensure that urban risk reduction is increasingly understood worldwide, and that concrete measures are taken in cities and other urban settings to reduce disaster risks and vulnerabilities. In order to reach this goal, the WDRC will need to identify and present solid and convincing arguments that make the case for urban risk reduction.

To this end, the consultant will be requested to produce an information kit presenting the above arguments in a coherent and exhaustive manner. The information kit shall be limited to about 10-15 pages and will follow a similar format to that of the previous campaigns. The information kit is not intended to be an academic publication, although the arguments presented in the report will need to be supported by reliable sources of information and references. The writing style will need to be jargon-free and reader friendly, but precise.

2.  Collect case studies on urban risk reduction: The consultant is also expected to select and present 5 case studies, one from each continent, in support of the above information kit. The main purpose of the case studies is to provide a reference of good practices in the area of urban risk reduction for practitioners, experts and other stakeholders concerned by the subject. The case studies will be collected and drafted using a standard format that includes results achieved, challenges and lessons learned. The case studies shall be consistent with and complement the information provided in the information kit.

Organizational setting and reporting relationships

This work can be carried out anywhere in the world (virtual). The Consultant will work closely with the UNISDR focal point for local authorities, who will provide comments, guidance and suggested additions/alterations during the drafting process. The Consultant is not responsible for layout, setting, editing or print-ready formulation of the kit.

Results expected

1.  Draft Information Kit submitted by 17th April 2009
2.  Final Information Kit completed by 1st May 2009
3.  Draft Case Studies submitted by 22nd May 2009
4.  Final Case Studies competed by 12th June 2009

Competencies

Professionalism - Ability to manage processes, interpret/analyze a wide variety of data, and identify/resolve data discrepancies and activity problems. Knowledge of issues related to disaster risk reduction and/or development.
Planning and Organizing - Demonstrate effective organizational skills and ability to handle work in an efficient and timely manner.
Technological Awareness - Fully proficient computer skills, particularly in using relevant information databases, internet services, contact sources.
Communication - Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally. Be able to make external contacts when necessary.

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree in disaster risk management or other disciplines linked to disaster reduction or a combination of a higher education qualification and extensive experience in one of the above areas.
Experience: Demonstrated and recognized expertise in the field with a minimum of 10 years working experience in the areas associated with this consultancy. Excellent professional writing, research, analysis and editing skills.
Language skills: Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Other skills: Familiarity with UNISDR’s work and a strong understanding of DRR issues, particularly in the context of cities and complex urban settings. Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment.

Attachments

P 11 form , English

Explore further

Share this

Also featured on

Is this page useful?

Yes No Report an issue on this page

Thank you. If you have 2 minutes, we would benefit from additional feedback (link opens in a new window).