Result of Service

Through this consultancy, UNDRR and the partners of the initiative aim to have a better understanding about the existing progress and gaps for an efficient Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) in Belize, while identifying the pertinent activities to be included in a concerted national roadmap / implementation plan that will address closing the gaps and advancing MHEWS in the country.

Work Location

Belmopan, Belize

Expected duration

2.12.24 – 30.09.25

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 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyzes, 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. The Americas and the Caribbean is the second most disaster-prone region in the world. Between 2005 and 2023, the region experienced one out of four global disasters and accounted for approximately 58% of economic losses due to disasters of diverse origins. During this period, more than 80 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean were affected by disasters and climate change is already exacerbating this situation. Additionally, the region faces socio-economic challenges such as economic and political crises, inequality, unplanned urbanization and environmental degradation, which increase vulnerability and losses associated with these events. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, leading to significant economic downturns, increased unemployment, and strained public resources. Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which represent a significant number of Member States in the region, have been disproportionately affected by disasters, particularly those exacerbated by climate change. These factors underscore the urgent need to strengthen resilience and mitigate the adverse impacts of disasters in the region. The Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, released in 2023, recognizes that the Americas and Caribbean region has made progress in promoting a multi-sectoral approach to DRR and in the development of policies and plans accordingly. Looking towards the second period of implementation of the Sendai Framework, this trend needs to be complemented by advancing investment and financing strategies that align DRR efforts with sustainable development and climate action. The Midterm Review calls for increased support from countries in the region in areas such as the integration of climate change with DRR, the use of fiscal instruments for DRR investment and the implementation of nature-based solutions. It emphasizes the promotion of capacities for interdisciplinary, integrated and multi-sectoral assessment and planning. Additionally, it prioritizes decision-making processes informed by risk and calls for enhanced support for the implementation of the Gender Action Plan and the Early Warnings for All initiative. Furthermore, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS, calls for stronger global and regional action to support the special needs of these countries. Addressing the wide range of regional challenges mentioned above necessitates enhanced interregional collaboration and the support of various multilateral agencies, especially those focused on climate change and DRR. 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 of hazards; 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 and involved 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 Multi-Hazard 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 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. 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. Mapping of actors (and MHEWS elements and initiatives); 2. Carry out National consultative workshop (s); 3. Gap identification and analysis for each of the four pillars, in addition to the interpillar on governance; 5. Develop a nationally defined implementation plan to close the identified gaps; and 6. Creation or strengthening of a national governance mechanism. Understanding the interplay between national scientific institutions, such as meteorological and hydrological services, or geological surveys, among others; and the national disaster risk management agencies, is critical for optimizing the effectiveness of MHEWS. As such, this consultancy would also support a socio-economic benefit analysis of investments between these, and other key agencies aimed at creating an enabling environment for Belize to strengthen its MHEWS. Duties and responsibilities The consultant will be 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, in particular the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 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. The consultant will be based in Belmopan, Belize and will report mainly to the Regional Coordinator of the Early Warnings for All initiative based in Panama City, Panama, and to the Programme Management Officer based in Bridgetown, Barbados; both of UNDRR. a) Provide support to the EW4All Initiative (Pillar Leaders, the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office and the Nationally designated focal point(s)) by helping to organize and facilitate a Stakeholder mapping of relevant local, national, regional and international actors (e.g., government, UNCT, NGOs (non- governmental organizations), CSOs (Civil Society Organizations), women’s organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, indigenous populations, and others as relevant, representatives of the private sector, academia, etc. and existing coordination mechanisms engaged in multi-hazard early warning systems. b) In coordination with national authorities, and other stakeholders, organize an inclusive and participatory 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, the preparation of a roadmap/implementation plan for addressing these gaps, as well as for ensuring coordination at the country level for carrying out the proposed implementation plan and for ensuring sustainability. The national consultative workshop should strive for gender parity and representation of key major groups. c) Ensure the implementation of the Inclusive Early Warning and Early Action Checklist and Implementation Guide and develop a report on its implementation in the country. d) Develop a gap analysis report on all pillars and governance elements for MHEWS in Belize, ensuring close coordination with all pillar lead agencies. The report should compile and integrate information related to national risk assessments (including hazard, exposure, vulnerability as well as existing capacities in country) and any other relevant sectorial assessments. The gap analysis aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses on each of the pillars and highlight areas for improvement. e) Develop a Situational Analysis and a National Disaster Risk Assessment Framework for Belize, while ensuring the inclusion of existing and up to date risk information and data, and the identification of hazard, exposure, vulnerability and risk data gaps, as well as loss and damage database and national Sendai Framework Monitoring (SFM) reporting and information to feed in to monitoring and evaluation on the EW4All Dashboard. f) Support the identification or establishment of a coordination mechanism in the 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. g) Support any further actions towards furthering the implementation of the EW4All initiative, upon the request of UNDRR, including the potential implementation of the MCR2030 Resilience Scorecard and its MHEWS Addendum. h) Provide comments, edits and suggestions to the draft and final version of the joint Socio-Economic Benefit Analysis of NMSB and NEMO investments to target sectors. i) Attend the meetings of the United Nations Country Team of Belize (UNCT) and explore opportunities of collaboration with other United Nation´s agencies. j) Proven written and oral presentations and outputs as needed. k) Raise awareness and promote advocacy for the EW4All initiative and the Sendai Framework implementation and reporting at country-level and among the UN Country Team, including sharing information products, convening meetings, making presentations, media outreach and communications, etc.

Qualifications/special skills

Bachelor’s degree in disaster risk reduction, climate change, sustainable development, or other related areas is required. – At least four (4) years of experience in disaster risk reduction is required. – Work experience with national stakeholders in areas of disaster risk management, climate change, early warning systems, or analysis of vulnerability or exposure is required. – Experience with information management systems is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Spanish is desirable.

Additional Information

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*. UNDRR values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women, men, and people with disabilities. 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.