Result of Service

The consultancy will contribute to UNDRR Strategic Framework 2022-2025 Objectives: 1.1.2: Knowledge and innovation generated on the systemic nature of risk and its cascading effects to inform decision-making, policies and programming at global, regional and national levels; 1.3.2: Governments supported in establishment and management of disaster losses and damages tracking systems; 2.2.3: Strengthened inclusive multi-hazard early warning systems that reach the most vulnerable;

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 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, 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. DRR is of critical importance both for development and humanitarian action, and the Sendai Framework links these domains in activities related to disaster preparedness, early warning, recovery and ‘build back better’. Through the United Nations Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience, UNDRR plays a leadership role in integrating DRR across the UN system and supports bridging of development and humanitarian communities. Through the UN Plan of Action, the UN System commits to strengthen its joint ability ‘to effectively support national and local communities in early warning, preparedness, response and recovery’ (Result 2.2). UNDRR promotes the generation and application of risk information, loss and damage data, and Sendai Framework information for open access by Governments and UN-partners. The risk knowledge programme enhances access to quality data on hazards, exposure, vulnerability, disaster loss and damage essential for informed planning and effective response. UNDRR supports this endeavor with the help of three connected tools; DesInventar, a harmonized disaster loss database soon to be enhanced through a new generation of losses and damages tracking system; the Sendai Framework Monitor (SFM), a global reporting tool for member states tracking periodically their progress on the Sendai Framework implementation; and the Risk Information Exchange (RiX), a living repository of open-source global, regional and national risk data. The consultant will support the implementation of UNDRR-coordinated activities in Seychelles, focusing on the generation and application of risk, loss and damage data to support early warning and early action. This work involves consultations with national authorities involved in the early warning and early action value chain. Key outcomes of this consultancy include recommendations for an operational framework and mechanism for producing and regular updating, accessing and using risk, loss and damage data; identification of technical assistance needs; and development of follow up support strategies with government, development, and humanitarian partners. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant will work in close collaboration with national agencies to evaluate and identify opportunities to enhance the production, access and use of risk information, and disaster loss and damage data. In consultation with agencies and stakeholders, the consultant will carry out the following activities: A. Assessment of the current landscape of risk information, and disaster loss and damage data 1. Identify and analyze existing policies, institutional frameworks and stakeholders involved in producing and managing risk information and disaster loss data; 2. Conduct an inventory of i) current risk information, and disaster loss and damage data, ii) information management platforms and tools, and iii) approaches, methodologies, and processes currently used for producing multi-hazard, exposure, and vulnerability assessments; 3. Assess the technical and human resource capacities of institutions involved in conducting multi-hazard risk assessments and disaster loss tracking; 4. Outline how risk information and disaster loss and damage data are currently used in early warning systems and early action frameworks. B. Development of a framework and capacity building plan for enhancing production, access and use of risk information as well as loss and damage data 1. Propose a framework that i) outlines the roles, responsibilities, and collaboration mechanisms for stakeholders, ii) defines the standards, protocols, and guidelines for the collection, management, sharing, and use of risk information and disaster loss data to ensure consistency, and accessibility, iii) provides recommendations for enhancing interoperability and sustainability of information management platforms to improve integration and access to risk information; iv) outlines recommendations on suitable approaches, methodologies, and processes for producing comprehensive multi-hazard risk assessments for five key hazards; 2. Develop a capacity-building plan to enhance the technical and institutional capacities of national agencies in the production, access, and use of risk information, and disaster loss data; C. Other tasks 1. Support the finalization and implementation of the national EWS Roadmap and Action Plan, with particular focus on Pillar 1 / Risk Knowledge 2. Provide technical support to, and collaborate with, national agencies and partners in the implementation of DRR and/or EWS-related programs and projects; 3. Support the organization and facilitation of DRR- and EWS-related workshops (e.g., Pillar 1 / Risk Knowledge Workshop), trainings and meetings; 4. Perform other duties to support the successful planning and implementation of UNDRR-led DRR and EWS programs, projects and activities. Work implies frequent interaction with national EWS and DRR stakeholders, counterparts, senior officers and technical staff in government institutions and specialized bodies, UN specialized agencies at country level. Institutional Arrangements The position is home-based. Women candidates are encouraged to apply. The consultant will report remotely to the Programme Management Officer at the Regional Office for Africa, under the overall supervision of the Early Warning and Risk Knowledge Coordinator.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in disaster risk management, risk analysis and management, geography, environmental science, development studies or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with a minimum of 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum 5 years of experience in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, early/anticipatory action, or relevant humanitarian and development work is required; Experience on the national context of EWS, DRR/DRM is desirable; Relevant experience in information management, data analysis, statistics and post disaster loss and damage assessment is desirable; Experience in the UN or any other similar international organization related to early warning, early action, disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is 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.