Result of Service

Provide evidence-based recommendations for enhanced national regulatory frameworks, local fiscal strategies and innovative financial instruments for local governments, thereby enhancing climate adaptation and resilience.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG/ASG), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses, and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. It supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. DRR Financing Frameworks Investing in disaster risk reduction (DRR) for resilience is Priority 3 of the Sendai Framework. Finance remains one of the largest bottlenecks to protecting countries’ sustainable development from the devastating impacts of disasters. The midterm review of the Sendai Framework further stressed the need for accelerating investment in DRR as the current level remains vastly inadequate and issued several calls for action to this end. Recognizing the urgency for scaling up investment in DRR, UNDRR is committed to stepping up its work in this area and supporting countries in finding solutions to their challenges. Innovative approaches and “all hands-on deck” are required to make significant progress in this area (business as usual has shown its limits). The political declaration of the high-level meeting on the midterm review of the Sendai Framework called upon States to strengthen their investment in disaster risk reduction. In particular, it called for: (i) identifying gaps in public spending on DRR and mainstreaming risk reduction into the financial framework; (ii) developing comprehensive DRR financing strategies, and (iii) promoting the development of innovative instruments and tools to finance DRR (GA Resolution 77/289). Investment in resilience at the local level is crucial, as local governments are often the first responders and have the closest understanding of their communities’ unique vulnerabilities. Resilience bonds represent a promising financial tool that can help local governments secure the necessary funding for DRR initiatives. By leveraging resilience bonds, local authorities can attract private investment to finance infrastructure projects that enhance community resilience, thereby reducing future disaster risks and associated economic losses. However, local governments in Brazil face several barriers in issuing resilience bonds. These include limited access to credit markets and stringent regulatory constraints. Specifically, the fiscal responsibility laws in Brazil impose strict borrowing limits and debt ceilings on local governments, which can restrict their ability to issue new bonds. Additionally, bureaucratic processes for bond issuance are often complex and time-consuming, requiring multiple approvals from different levels of government. Addressing these barriers is essential to unlocking the potential of resilience bonds and other financial options as viable financing mechanisms for local DRR projects in Brazil. DRR Financing frameworks for local governments in Brazil The project seeks to evaluate the feasibility and challenges of implementing resilience bonds, blended finance sources and options, fiscal strategies, adjusted regulatory frameworks, and other financial tools to bolster resilience financing at the sub-national level. The goal is to provide evidence-based recommendations for enhanced national regulatory frameworks, local fiscal strategies and innovative financial instruments for local governments, thereby enhancing climate adaptation and resilience. The work will include an examination of the key factors that limit sub-national governments’ access to finance for resilience, with particular focus on issuing resilience bonds. It will also provide insights into the development of strategies, practical guidance, and policy frameworks that policymakers can use to address the pressing need for sustainable financing in the face of escalating climate-related challenges. The consultant will be home-based and will report to the National Officer, Programme Management Officer of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean (ROAC), based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Qualifications/special skills

First-level university degree in Economics, Finance, Administration, Engineering, or related is required. Five (5) years of experience in policy analysis is required. Experience in public finance, economic analysis, disaster risk reduction or disaster risk management, and/or environment and climate is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in Portuguese and English is required for this consultancy.

Additional Information

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. *FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*. UNDRR values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women, men, and people with disabilities.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.