Preparation of the Disaster Risk Reduction Country Document for Antigua and Barbuda

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Duties And Responsibilities

This consultancy will support the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) in preparing the disaster risk reduction country document for Antigua and Barbuda. The document will be prepared in a consultative process that is lead by the National Office of Disaster Services. In this regards, a close coordination and collaboration with NODS need to be ensured.

The selected person will be based in Antigua and Barbuda, and will report to the UNISDR Project Manager in Panama. He/she will also maintain a functional link to the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS), as well as key national DRR partners.

Technical support for this position will be provided by the UNISDR Regional Office – The Americas.

The following points will provide an overview of the duties and responsibilities of the consultant:

• Coordinate and undertake in close collaboration with NODS, UNISDR, national DRR experts and partners and other relevant regional and national DRR partners, the preparation of a DRR country document for Antigua and Barbuda by applying the standardized format for the preparation of country documents and the "Set of Criteria to prioritize DRR at the national level".

  Related activities:

  1. In close coordination with NODS, identify key DRR stakeholders to be involved in the preparation of a country document process and conduct interviews with respective focal points.
  2. Gather and review information from secondary sources.
  3. Analyze the information.
  4. Prepare a draft and final version of the DRR country document for Antigua and Barbuda.
  5. Present the Country Document in an appropriate format to stakeholders for feedback.
  6. Coordinate with NODS, national DRR experts and organizations to revise the draft of the country document.
  7. Support the preparation and facilitation of the national validation workshop in close coordination with NODS.
  8. Prepare a report of the national consultation process leading to the preparation of the country document, including the results from the national workshop. Give special emphasis to the application of the "Set of Criteria to prioritize DRR at the national level". This information will be input to a regional report on the application of the Set of Criteria.
• Promote and encourage the use and dissemination, among national and other relevant DRR stakeholders, of the tools and knowledge produced by the DIPECHO projects
• Other project activities as requested by the UNISDR.

Programmatic Functions:

• Keep staff of the UNISDR informed about activities, progress, achievements, and challenges.
• Maintain close coordination with the UNISDR Regional Liaison Officer in Barbados regarding regional and national processes and coordination with different partners.
• Develop an interim and final narrative report describing the status of project activities and results.

Expected Duration

The consultant will coordinate the preparation of the development of the Disaster Risk Reduction Country Document within a timeframe of 6 months in which the consultant will work 60 days. The country document will be developed in a consultative process. The detailed methodology will be defined between the national consultant and the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS). UNISDR will provide technical support.

60 days within the timeframe of 6 months from May 01 to October 31, 2016.

The general timeline for the preparation of the Antigua and Barbuda country document is as follows:

• Preparation of Country document through consultative process: May to October
• Compilation of data for example through literature review, interviews with DRR experts and stakeholder groups: May to June
• Application of the Set of Criteria to prioritize DRR: May to July
• Draft document available: August
• Preparation of the national validation workshop: August
• Validation workshops: September
• Final draft available: September
• Incorporation of inputs provided in validation workshop: September
• Approval of the final document: October

Result Of Service

Disaster Risk Reduction Country Document for Antigua and Barbuda

In the Caribbean, 11 countries have prepared country documents under the leadership of the respective National Disaster Management Agency. The DRR country documents are expected to become a national reference for policy design and decision making for interventions for DRR as well as to provide support in the planning and coordination of activities with cooperation entities.

The preparation of the Antigua and Barbuda Country Document will be guided by the 'Common Format for the Country Profile Document' and will consider the application of the "Set of Criteria for the Prioritization of DRR at national Level" which will support the identification of DRR focus areas at national, sub-national and local levels.

The approved disaster risk reduction country document is expected to be a national reference for policy design and decision making for interventions for disaster risk reduction as well as to provide support in the planning and coordination of activities with cooperation entities.

Qualifications/Special Skills

Academic Qualifications: Advanced University degree or equivalent experience in social sciences, natural resource management, disaster risk management or related fields. A firstlevel university degree in combination with a minimum of 7 years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Functional knowledge and at least 5 years of professional experience in the field of disaster risk reduction, climate change, and/or sustainable development at national (Antigua and Barbuda) and regional (Caribbean) level;
• Project management or coordination experience.
• Knowledgeable of the work carried out by the UNISDR Americas office;
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills;
• Experience in leading and facilitating workshops and meetings;
• Knowledge of intergovernmental mechanisms, DRR Platforms, tools and mechanisms related to DRR and DIPECHO
• Functional knowledge of ECHO action plans and DIPECHO projects;
• Experience in preparing technical reports and other written documents.

Language: Excellent English speaking and writing skills.

Additional Information

Antigua and Barbuda citizen or resident or non-national holding the necessary permit to work in Antigua and Barbuda is essential.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

As per UN policy, Consultants and Individual Contractors may not apply for or be appointed to any position in the Professional or above categories and for positions at the FS-6 and FS-7 levels in the Field Service category within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. This restriction does not apply to associate experts(Junior Professional Officers) appointed under the Staff Rules.