Consultant (classification of DRR training tools, guidance documents and good practices)

Previous title: Consultant (drought contingency planning)

Vacancy: ISDR/C/22/2011

United Nations Core Values: Integrity - Professionalism - Respect for diversity

Background

The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN ISDR) was established in 1999 to facilitate the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. UNISDR is mandated to “serve as the focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations system and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields”. In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR, 18-22 January 2005, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) took place and represents a landmark in worldwide understanding and commitment to implement a disaster risk reduction agenda. This commitment was captured in the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters adopted at the WCDR.
The Hyogo Framework is the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction in the coming years and it constitutes an unprecedented conceptual shift that takes account of the complexity of action in disaster risk reduction and the large variety of actors whose inputs are required in the pursuit of this objective. It provides the basic concepts and prescribes and expected outcome; details three strategic goals for disaster risk reduction and a set of five priority areas for action; and assigns tasks to stakeholders at difference operational levels to reach the expected outcome.

Priority Five of the Hyogo Framework for Action “Strengthening disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels” emphasizes the need for “coordination and exchange of information and early warning; contingency planning and response readiness”.
The UNISDR Regional Office for Africa is implementing a project entitled “Increased coordination, awareness and technical support to enhance risk management in the Greater Horn of Africa., Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya” The project is designed to target drought prone areas in the three project countries, building on existing initiatives to support state and non-state actors to integrate disaster risk reduction in development and relief efforts. UNISDR is looking for a consultant to support ongoing efforts of the Interagency Working Group (IAWG) Sub-Group on DRR & CC Central and East Africa ongoing efforts to review existing training tools and guidelines on DRR and lessons learned and systematize them in an on-line system, as well as reviewing terminology and propose a common methodology to be used by all partners.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the UNISDR Regional Office for Africa, the Project Coordinator and in close collaboration with the IAWG Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change the consultant will:

1. Extract key learning points and recommendations from a selection of external evaluations and reports on Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change (e.g. focus on specific geographic areas, sectors, and needs assessments).
2. Review Terminology, concepts and approaches with the aim of providing links and orientation for effective strategy formulation and programming through an appropriate online platform.
3. Review existing DRR Training tools and guidelines from different stakeholders including the new Emergency Capacity Building Project Disaster Risk Reduction Practitioners Guide, World Food Programme Knowledge Centre, the Regional Livelihood Advocacy Project (REGLAP) etc. Prevention Web and Relief Web.
4. Draft and make recommendations on common methodology of analyzing information from the DRR & CC Mapping from lessons of phase 1 only.
5. Develop a classification format for tools, guidance and advocacy documents and good practices, considering the Regional Disaster Information Center Latin America (CRID) methodology and adapting in as applicable to the region. This classification format will be
made available on-line in cooperation with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization.

Key Deliverables

1. Summary report of key lessons learned and recommendations
2. Review of existing training tools and guidelines
3. Reviewed common terminology, concepts and approaches
4. Classification format and methodology developed and on-line

Timeframe
- Work plan including time-table developed and agreed with UNISDR and IAWG within one week after the starting date
- Summary report of key lessons learned within three weeks after starting date
- Existing training tools and guidelines reviewed within six weeks after the starting date
- Reviewed common terminology, concept and approaches within 8 weeks after starting date
- Classification format and methodology developed and draft on-line within 12 weeks of starting date

Competencies

- Professionalism: Ability to respond to changing requirements and assignments given. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks.
- Planning and organizing: Effective organizational skills and ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan.
- Communication: Good communication speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Demonstrates openness in sharing information with others and keeping people informed.

Qualifications

- Education: Advanced university degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in development studies, social sciences, environmental sciences or other related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Work experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in disaster risk reduction, data management, quality control or related areas.
- Languages: Fluency in oral and written English.
- Other: Knowledge in community-based disaster risk management and experience in Horn of Africa is an added advantage.