Result of Service

Through this consultancy, UNDRR and the partners of the initiative aim to have a better understanding of the existing advancements and gaps for an efficient Multi-hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) in Guyana, while identifying the pertinent activities to be included in a concerted national roadmap that will address closing the gaps and advancing MHEWS in the country. A nationally defined Early Warning for All implementation plan based on the gaps identified and prioritized actions to close these gaps is to be approved by the corresponding national authorities.

Work Location

Georgetown,Guyana

Expected duration

6 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), 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 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. Early warning systems (EWS) are key elements of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, as they help reduce or avoid the detrimental impacts of hazardous events. To be effective, early warning systems need to be risk-informed, multi-hazard, multi-sectorial, target communities most at risk, disseminate messages and warnings efficiently, ensure preparedness, and support early action. Multi-Hazard Early warning systems include four pillars: 1) disaster risk knowledge; 2) observation, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting; 3) warning dissemination and communication; 4) preparedness and response capabilities. The four pillars of an MHEWS (Multi-hazard early warning systems) need a governance architecture enabling interactions among those responsible for each of the components, framing their implementation within the overall disaster risk management (DRM) governance mechanisms (Interpillar). Multi-sector and multi-stakeholder coordination, involvement of communities at risk, having an enabling institutional and legislative environment, clear roles and responsibilities, and adequate operational capacities, are essential for effective and consistent Early Warning Systems. The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) is a special initiative of the UN Secretary General, which aims to spearhead action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems by 2027. The Early Warnings for All initiative was launched by the UN Secretary-General in March 2022 and its Executive Action Plan in November 2022 at the COP27 meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh . The Initiative calls for the whole world to be covered by early warning systems by the end of 2027. EW4All is co-led by WMO (World Meteorological Organization) and UNDRR and supported by other pillar leads, ITU (International Telecommunication Union) and IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies). Additional implementing partners include FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), GEO (Group of Earth Observation) Secretariat, IOM (International Organization for Migration), OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), REAP (Risk-informed Early Action Partnership), WFP (World Food Programme) and others. EW4All aims to promote collaboration and synergies across all partners working on the promotion, design, implementation, development and monitoring of single, cluster and multi-hazard early warning systems. To this end, 30 countries were selected globally for the initial roll out phase of the initiative. Guyana has accepted this initial support. The EW4All Executive Action Plan outlines the initial actions deemed necessary to achieve universal coverage of multi-hazard early warning systems within five years and sets out the pathway to implementation. These initial steps include: 1. National consultative workshop 2. Mapping of actors (and initiatives) 3. Gap identification and analysis for each of the pillars 4. Nationally defined implementation plan 5. Creation of a national governance mechanism Duties and responsibilities 1. Provide support to EW4All, Pillar Leaders, the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office and the Nationally designated focal point(s) of the EW4All initiative by helping facilitate, where needed: a. Stakeholder mapping of national, regional and global actors (government, United Nations Country Team (UNCT), NGO (non- governmental organization), CSOs (Civil Society organizations), etc.) and existing coordination mechanisms engaged in multi-hazard early warning systems. b. In coordination with national authorities, and other stakeholders, organize a national consultative workshop to launch the initiative and take stock on the status of multi-hazard early warning systems in the country and establish, or agree on / confirm a coordination mechanism that will facilitate the identification of gaps, and the preparation of a roadmaps for addressing them. c. Develop a gap analysis report on all pillars and governance mechanisms for Multi-hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) in Guyana. The report should compile and integrate information related to national risk assessments, including hazard, exposure, vulnerability as well as existing capacities in country and other relevant sectorial assessments. The gap analysis aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses on each of the pillars and highlight areas for improvement. d. Ensure Guyana’s Situational Analysis, loss and damage database and national Sendai Framework Monitoring (SFM) reporting are up to date. e. Support the identification or establishment of a coordination mechanism in country to strengthen multistakeholder and inclusive collaboration to achieve an end-to-end multi-hazard early warning system. The mechanism should prioritize national multi-sectorial disaster risk management platforms. f. In close coordination with all four pillar leaders and national stakeholders, develop a nationally defined EW4All Implementation Plan that sets out how to bridge the identified gaps, and outlines the key actions, technical support and capacities required to establish and improve multi-hazard early warning systems and their effectiveness, as well as agreed roles and responsibilities, timelines and budget. 2. Under the supervision of the UNDRR focal point for the Caribbean and the Regional Coordinator of the Early Warning for All and in close collaboration with national authorities and in particular the Civil Defense Commission, liaise with the Regional Offices of pillar lead agencies (UNDRR, WMO, ITU, IFRC) as required to facilitate streamlined communication across the RCO (Resident Coordinator Office), country officials and pillar lead agencies. 3. Raise awareness and promote advocacy for the EW4All initiative at country-level and among the UN Country Team, including sharing information products, convening meetings, making presentations, media outreach and communications, etc. The consultant will be based in Georgetown, Guyana and will report to the Programme Management Officer of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean (ROAC), based in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Qualifications/special skills

First-level university degree in disaster risk reduction, climate change, sustainable development, or other related areas is required. At least 4 years of experience in disaster risk reduction is required. Experience with national stakeholders in areas of disaster risk management, climate change, (multi-hazard) early warning systems, or identification of vulnerabilities and exposures is required. Experience with information management systems is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required for this consultancy. Knowledge of Spanish or French is desirable.

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.