Closing date:

Consultant: Disaster risk reduction expert

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

This job posting has closed

Vacancy number: ISDR/C/07/2010

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 risk and losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations.

The implementation of the ISDR is supported by a secretariat led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. The secretariat’s main functions are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction adopted the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and represents the key policy framework for reducing risk and to strengthen community resilience. The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction established by the UN General Assembly in 2006, I the main global policy forum for disaster risk reduction, and is complemented by a system of regional, thematic and national platforms, which bring together all relevant stakeholders.

To minimize negative impacts of natural hazards on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa, the African Union and the Regional Economic Commissions (RECs) are emphasizing integration of disaster risk reduction and management into the sub-regional poverty reduction, security, and sustainable development agenda to help create safer and resilient communities in social, economic and environmental terms.

Consequently, to expand and strengthen actions at all levels to reduce disaster risks and build the resilience of nations and communities to disasters, the African Union and the Secretariat of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), with the support of UNISDR and in partnership with UNDP, UNEP and African Development Bank (ADB), led a process of regional actions to strengthen national capacities for DRR in Africa.

Beginning with the development of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, the strategy aims to contribute to the attainment of sustainable development and poverty eradication by facilitating the integration of disaster risk reduction into development. The Programme of Action for the Implementation of the Africa Strategy 2006-2010 which was developed in compliance with a request by the 2004 Africa Union Summit, endorsed by the 2005 African Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction, and adopted by the Eight Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (2006), provides the operational framework for disaster risk reduction interventions in the region.

The extension and enforcement of the Programme of Action to cover the period until 2015 was discussed and agreed at the 2nd Regional Platform Consultative Meeting for DRR in May 2009, and formal adoption of the extended Programme by African Ministers in charge of DRR is awaited in 2010.

The RECs are responsible for coordinating inter-state initiatives under the Africa Regional Strategy, and operationalizing the regional Programme of Action based on their own policies on DRR which are already in place. For example, the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has adopted a sub-regional policy for DRR, established a Disaster Management Unit and is developing an implementation programme for its DRR strategy. IGAD has developed a DRR strategy and programme. SADC is revising its DRR strategy to bring it more in line with the HFA and, ECCAS has completed development of its sub-regional DRR mechanism.

ECOWAS is currently strengthening its institutional framework and has recently developed a draft Sub-regional Plan of Action for implementation of the ECOWAS Policy on DRR. UNISDR has provided ECOWAS with technical assistance on DRR since February 2009. The Plan of Action was discussed at the ECOWAS DRR experts meeting in October 2009 to be adopted at the ministerial level in 2010. This consultancy will build on UNISDR’s earlier technical assistance to ECOWAS and its Member States. Appointment will be made initially for three months, with possible extensions depending on availability of funds and performance.

Organizational setting and reporting relationships

Under the direct supervision of the Head, UNISDR Africa Regional Office and under the guidance of the President/Executive Secretary of the ECOWAS, the appropriate Commissioner/Director and the Head of the related disaster reduction unit of the ECOWAS, the consultant shall provide overall support to the ECOWAS in the implementation of the ECOWAS’ DRR policy/strategy in line with the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Facilitate incorporation of disaster risk reduction approaches in ongoing thematic/sectoral programmes of the ECOWAS.
2. Provide substantive backstopping and other support services to the related disaster risk management unit of the ECOWAS in the performance of their functions as outlined in the respective sub regional DRR policies/strategies.
3. Support development, coordination and harmonization of national practices and capacities in disaster risk reduction and management in member states of the ECOWAS.
4. Undertake joint risk assessment and disaster loss assessment with national authorities.
5. Assist the related disaster risk management unit of the ECOWAS to maintain liaison with the African Union, other Regional Economic Commissions, national governments, international development partners, the United Nations and its programmes and specialized agencies, intergovernmental institutions, major groups and other partners to support, promote and facilitate their activities and programmes to achieve the goal and objectives of the respective sub regional DRR policies/strategies/mechanisms.
6. Support the development of databases on national programmes in DRR to enable the disaster units DMU operate as a clearinghouse of disaster risk management information in the sub regions.
7. Help organize and prepare written reports, such as background papers, analyses, studies and reports on consultative and other meetings and conferences on DRR organized by the ECOWAS.
8. Assist the disaster units to manage sub regional monitoring of disaster reduction interventions at country level and to prepare reports on progress in implementing the HFA and activities of the GFDRR in the sub region.
9. Lead or participate in field missions and draft mission reports and documentation.
10. In consultation with AUC and UNISDR, support mapping of and capacity assessments of existing major training centres that can offer capacity-building programmes on DRR and climate change, as well as mapping and capacity assessment of specialized institutions in West Africa which provide services for monitoring and early warning for hydro-meteorological hazards.
11. Ensure inclusion of DRR activities in the 2010-2011 programmes and projects of ECOWAS with specific focus on linking climate change and DRR.
12. Facilitate designing effective and implementable data sharing protocol between selected highrisk ECOWAS Member States by also involving regional and sub regional specialized institutions in the ECOWAS region on seasonal forecasts and information on climate related hazards.
13. In consultation with the ECOWAS Commission and sub regional office of the Economic Commission for Africa to explore possible areas for promoting DRR with major climate change initiatives (such as ClimDev programme) for the ECOWAS region.
14. Undertake any other functions, duties and tasks as specified by the President/Executive Secretary of the ECOWAS and/or requested by the relevant Commissioner/Director or head of the related disaster risk unit of the ECOWAS.

Results expected

1. MOU between ECOWAS and UNISDR for institutional cooperation
2. Inclusion of DRR activities in the related 2010-2011 programmes and projects of ECOWAS with specific focus on linking climate change and DRR.
3. Report on the mapping of and capacity assessments of existing major training centres that can offer capacity-building programmes on DRR and climate change, as well as mapping and capacity assessment of specialized institutions in West Africa.
4. Data sharing protocols agreed between ECOWAS Member States with high risks to transboundary, hydro meteorological and climate related hazards. During the initial three months of this consultancy, the consultant will produce basic framework and develop draft data sharing protocol which will be discussed and agreed by ECOWAS after 2nd Qtr 2010.
5. Substantive monthly progress report (A4, MS Word format in English by 20th of every month) to be submitted to the head of the disaster unit of ECOWAS with a copy to UNISDR Africa Coordinator (or OiC) describing specific achievements within this assignment.

Competencies

Professionalism
Strong background, knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles and approaches to disaster risk reduction; proven project management skills and ability to lead a project to completion.

Client orientation
Ability to identify and analyze clients’ needs and develop appropriate services to meet business requirements.

Communication
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately

Planning and organizing
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required

Teamwork
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in disaster risk management, development, public policy or a 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 five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this assignment, fluency in written and spoken English and French is required.

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