Result of Service

The AUC and RECs, through the AMHEWAS programme, have enhanced capacity, SOPs, and guidelines for a shared and coordinated approach to forecasting and taking early action for transboundary hazards, including data sharing and coordination.

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

5 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 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), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyses action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. Specifically, UNDRR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015-2030; campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction 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 such as Prevention Web, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the organization of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. In 2004, the African Union Commission adopted the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction to guide the implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction in Africa. 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) member states developed a new Programme of Action (PoA) for the implementation of the Sendai Framework in Africa. The PoA was endorsed by the AU Executive Council in 2017. 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 early warning systems at all levels to facilitate mitigation, response and recovery to increasing frequency and intensity of natural 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. In 2019, the African Union Commission (AUC) undertook a Study on the Status of Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems which informed the development of the Institutional and Operational Framework for Multi-hazard Early Warning System in Africa and its delivery Programme dubbed the Africa Multi-hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS). The AMHEWAS Programme was endorsed by 55 AU Heads of states in 2022. The AMHEWAS represents a significant step towards achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063, Building a Resilient Africa, The Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, the PoA for the implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and several Decisions of the African Union Heads of State and Government. The programme’s primary objective is to drastically increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and strengthen preparedness and early action. Most of the disaster risks and associated impacts are transboundary in nature and require a collaborative approach to effectively mitigate the impacts through agile early warning systems. Enhancing transboundary disaster risk management requires putting in place frameworks and common protocols for member states to collaborate and reduce potential disaster losses. This will play a crucial role in strengthening development, reducing poverty, and promoting resilience as outlined in AUC’s Agenda 2063. UNDRR is recruiting a consultant to build capacity of the AUC, RECs and Member States, under the aegis of the AMHEWAS programme, to strengthen capacities for transboundary disaster risk management. The assignment is expected to help AUC, RECs and Member States to better identify and understand how to manage transboundary risks and integrate transboundary hazards and risk into the early warning and early action products of the AMHEWAS programme. The Transboundary Risk and Early Warning Expert will work under the overall supervision of the AUC’s AMHEWAS Programme Manager and UNDRR Regional Office for Africa, to develop the key deliverables. The consultant will be expected to interact closely with the RECs and will be a home based consultancy.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Disaster Risk Management/Reduction, Environmental Science, Geography, Hydrology or other relevant fields is required. A first-level university degree in any of these fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least 5 years of experience of working in Africa at the national or international level in implementing Disaster Risk Reduction Programmes or other relevant field is required. Experience in managing early warning or disaster operations projects and working in Africa at regional or national level on Disaster Risk Reduction/Management (DRR/M) is desirable. Experience in liaising with regional organizations and Member States in policy and protocol formulation is desirable. Experience with early warning/early action, including being familiar with hydro meteorological hazards (flood, drought, etc.) assessment and mapping, vulnerability assessment and weather forecast, and monitoring is desirable. Experience of leading or contributing to strategy country-led development initiatives is desirable. Experience with at least one major government institution or international organization working on early warning/early action or disaster risk reduction/risk knowledge in desirable. Experience in hazard assessment and mapping and experience in risk profiles/atlas preparation 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.