Result of Service

A training manual and training materials for the AMHEWAS programme is produced and staff at the AUC and RECs receive training on the manual and materials so that they can deliver the trainings to situation room operators and early warning and action experts at the regional and national level across Africa.

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNDRR has around 140 staff located in its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNDRR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, now the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), 2015-2030; campaigns to create global awareness of DRR benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in DRR to protect people’s lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women of all stakeholder groups in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools for disaster risk reduction. In March 2015, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 was adopted by the UN General Assembly. In alignment with the SFDRR, the African Union (AU) developed a new Programme of Action (PoA) for the implementation of the SFDRR in Africa. In addition to the seven global targets of the Sendai Framework, the PoA has an additional 5 targets. The PoA aims to achieve “substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries.” Early Warning Systems (EWS), which ensure people are prepared and ready to act in the event of a disaster, are one of the most effective measures that government can undertake to achieve substantial reduction of disaster losses. In that light, the PoA, as stipulated in the SFDRR, targets to substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030, and increase the number of countries with, and periodically testing, risk-informed preparedness plans, and response, and post-disaster recovery and reconstruction mechanisms. However, achieving these targets would require establishment of agile and interactive multi-hazard early warning systems at all levels to facilitate mitigation, response and recovery to increasing frequency and intensity of hazards. A regional and continental response has to be enhanced to proactively support member states in mitigating impacts of natural hazards and in event of a disaster. Observing from the recent disasters on the continent, hazards such as droughts, floods, tropical storms and cyclones, pests and epidemics have constantly affected more than one country simultaneously. Even where such hazards occur locally, the severity in which these events have manifested could easily overwhelm localized response. Many countries face multiple disasters at the same time. The African Union Commission (AUC) has developed an innovative response, the Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS) Programme endorsed by the AU Heads of State and Governments in 2022, the Programme represents a significant step towards achieving the goals of the SFDRR 2015-2030. The programme’s primary objective is to drastically increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning and disaster risk information. This will play a crucial role in strengthening development, reducing poverty, and promoting resilience as outlined in AUC’s Agenda 2063. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is hiring a senior consultant to work with the African Union Commission’s (AUC) Disaster Risk Reduction Unit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the development of a training manual for the Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Action (AMHEWAS) programme. The consultant will support the AUC to develop a training manual for the Africa Multi-hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS) Programme. The training manual will be used to facilitate trainings at AMHEWAS Situation Room in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Regional Economic Commission Situation Rooms to enhance the capacities of the RECs and Member States to better develop and disseminate early warning information that will inform early actions. The manual will be used to build capacity of the experts in Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Member States, including those on secondment to the AMHEWAS programme, on development, dissemination and usage of multi-hazard impact-based early warning information for early action. This assignment will include the development of session plans, compilations of training materials, development of templates for Action Plans and Terms of Reference for the experts from countries who will be seconded to the Continental AMHEWAS Situation Room. The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Programme Management Officer, UNDRR Regional Office for Africa, and daily supervision of the AMHEWAS Programme Manager in the AUC Disaster Risk Reduction Unit. The Consultant will be responsible for the following overall duties and responsibilities: i. Building on the existing draft that has been initiated by the AUC AMHEWAS team, the consultants are to develop a training manual on, Impact Based Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action Systems. Specific duties and responsibilities will include: ii. Conducting a rapid needs assessment to identify gaps (this will include consultations and desk review of previous assessments) iii. Develop the Manual in consultation with AUC, ECOWAS, ECCAS, EAC, ICPAC, SADC, ACMAD, UNDRR, UNDP, CIMA Research foundation, IFRC and other partners, and at least one country from each Regional Economic Community. iv. Building on the existing draft and guided by the above consultations and desk reviews, the consultants will develop a curriculum/course outline, with chapters and training content for the chapters and method of delivery v. On regular basis, hold meetings with key programme partners on progress made, for guidance, comments and review to ensure the development of the manual is on track vi. Facilitate validation workshop of the proposed training manual to the stakeholders, compile feedback and incorporate in the revised manual vii. Conduct a pilot testing of the manual to an audience that will be decided by the project partners viii. Submit the manual to AU through UNDRR Regional Office for Africa.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Disaster Risk Management/Reduction, Environmental Science, Geography, or other relevant fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least seven (7) years of experience in Disaster Risk Reduction, Early Warnings, Climate Change is required. Experience in implementing Disaster Risk Reduction Programmes is required. Experience in managing early warning or disaster operations trainings and working in Africa at regional or national level on Disaster Risk Reduction/Management (DRR/M) is required. Experience in liaising with regional organizations and Member States in policy and protocol formulation is desirable. Experience in conducting, coordinating/implementing early action and anticipatory action training activities is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French desirable.

Additional Information

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

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.