Consultant - Expert in disaster risk reduction (DRR)

Assignment start date: 1 February 2012

United Nations Core Values:

Integrity,  Professionalism, Respect for diversity

Background

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multistakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and 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 Secretariat is responsible for inter-institutional implementation of the ISDR, led by the Special Representative of UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). In order to create synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those of socio-economic and humanitarian fields, the secretariat’s main functions are coordination, advocacy, and information management at the global and regional levels.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction adopted the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 (HFA): 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, is 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 disasters on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa, the African Union and the Regional Economic Commissions (RECs) emphasize integration of disaster risk reduction and management into the sub-regional poverty reduction, security, and sustainable development agenda in order to help create safer and resilient communities in social, economic and environmental terms.

Consequently, to expand and strengthen actions at all levels for disaster risks reduction and build the resilience of countries and communities against 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), have 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 DRR into development programs. 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 and approved by the Executive Council of the African Union 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. ECCAS has adopted a sub-regional policy for the Central Africa in the field of Environment and Management of Natural Resources which provides a choice for early warning and management of natural or man-made disasters.

With technical assistance from the UNISDR, since 2009, by way of facilitating the strengthening of ECCAS's institutional framework through the development of a sub-regional strategy to be accompanied by a program and an action plan, the organisation now needs to be equipped with expertise in DRR and adaptation to climate change. A Memorandum of Understanding for technical assistance was signed in December 2010 between ECCAS and ISDR for technical assistance in DRR and adaptation to climate change. This two-month consultancy work will help to speed up the process and build on the expertise gained by supporting ECCAS in connection with the implementation of DRR joint activities.

Organizational provisions and reporting process

Under the joint supervision of the Head of UNISDR Africa Regional Office, and the Secretary General of ECCAS, the consultant shall provide general support to ECCAS in the implementation of activities and sub-regional DRR strategy, in accordance with HFA, the Africa Regional Strategy and Action Programme 2005-2015.

An Annual Action Plan, specifying the work objectives and expected outcomes will be developed and approved by both parties (ISDR and ECCAS) at the beginning of the mission.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitate the incorporation of DRR into ECCAS’s thematic and sectorial approaches;
•  Provide substantial support and other support services to the disaster risk management unit of ECCAS to carry out its tasks as defined in the sub-regional policies and strategies;
• Support ECCAS in implementation, coordination and harmonization of practices and national capacities to manage and reduce disaster risk in its member states;
• Support the development of policies, programs and capacities to reduce disasters in the region.
• Support joint risk and capacity assessments at country levels;
• Contribute to the maintenance of relations and of ECCAS with the AU, other RECs, States, international partners, the UN and its specialized agencies and programs, intergovernmental institutions, civil society, and facilitate the implementation of their activities and programs in view to achieving the goals and objectives of ECCAS in the context of policies, strategies and mechanisms for DRR;
•  Support the creation of databases on national DRR programmes;
•  Help organize and prepare written reports, such as analysis, paper concepts, studies and reports on consultations and other meetings and conferences organized by ECCAS on DRR;
• Assist the disaster management unit to manage the monitoring of DRR interventions at country level and to prepare reports on progress in implementing the action plan.
• Serve as the link between climate change and DRR.
• Facilitate the sharing of data and products between the Member States of ECCAS on the hydrometeorological or climate related-risks to, for the involvement of specialized agencies such as the African Regional Centre for Meteorological Application for Development (ACMAD), with respect to seasonal forecasts and information on regional climate-related risks in Central Africa;
•  Undertake any other duties and tasks specified by the General Secretariat of ECCAS and or the UN-ISDR Africa office in respect of the work plan of the expert approved at the beginning of the mission.

Expected Results

• The inclusion of DRR activities in the programs on climate change;
•  Involve key stakeholders in the risk reduction (Agriculture, Environment, Water Resource Management, Local Government / Mayors, Climatology, etc.) in the sub-regional and national platforms to enable the integration of risk reduction in development.
•  Support to Member States in the development of a broad partnership (for) and support disaster
reduction programs at all levels.
•  Develop or improve a system for sharing data between Member States of ECCAS on climaterelated risks;
•  Develop and manage DRR projects.
• Develop / improve the ECCAS action plan for DRR, with indicators related to African Programme for DRR and the HFA.
• Monthly and final reports (A4, MS Word before the 20th of each month) sent to the RRC unit of ECCAS, with copies to the ISDR Africa office, together with the specific achievements accomplished.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Solid experience, knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles and approaches to disaster risk reduction, proven skills in project management and ability to conduct and complete a project.
• Client orientation: Ability to identify and analyze clients' needs and develop appropriate services to meet institutional needs.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively, listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately.
• Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals 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
multicultural and multiethnic.

Qualifications

• Education: Advanced university degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in disaster risk management, social sciences or a related field. A first level university degree with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or program management, administration or related field.

Languages

• Fluency in oral and written French.
• Working knowledge of English is required.