Result of Service

The Multi Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) Roadmap for Tonga (including anticipatory action components) and, aligned to the Early Warning for ALL is developed and implementation is supported.

Work Location

Tonga

Expected duration

15 Jan – 31 Dec 2025

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), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction 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 United Nations Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. The Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 identify strengthened early warning systems (EWS) as a critical component of building resilience to disasters and crises and, by extension, contributing to sustainable development. 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, EWS need to be risk-informed, target communities most at risk, disseminate messages and warnings efficiently, ensure preparedness and support early action. EWS include four pillars: 1) risk knowledge 2) observation, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting 3) warning dissemination and communication and 4) preparedness and response capabilities. The national EW4ALL Inception Workshop for Tonga and Anticipatory Action Sensitization workshop was held in Nuku’alofa from 17 – 19 July. The workshop was attended by government and non-government members of Tonga’s national multi-hazard early warning systems technical working group and clusters system. The workshop resulted in a draft roadmap to support implementation of Tonga’s multi hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) policy, which was adopted earlier this year, as well as invited feedback on the term of reference (TOR) of the MHEWS Technical Working Group who will oversee the implementation of the roadmap. The two-day Anticipatory Action (AA) workshop also linked the AA concept to the early warning system for Tonga and provided participants with the opportunity to discuss potential pre-arranged actions and financing to early warning triggers in the context of Tonga. The advancement of AA for Tonga was also included in the terms of reference and workplan for the newly established Tonga MHEWS technical working group. Tonga adopted the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Policy 2024-2030, which addresses institutional and operational functionalities of a national MHEWS. The process was led by the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga, under the leadership of its Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) and supported by the regional EW4All Pillar leads and WRP partners with funding from the CREWS EW4All Accelerator Project. The EW4ALL inception workshop facilitated the development of the MHEWS roadmap to implement the MHEWS Policy. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Head of UNDRR Subregional Office in the Pacific and in collaboration with the Director of Tonga Meteorological Service, Director of the Tonga National Disaster Risk Management Office. The consultant will be based in Tonga and work at the Tonga Meteorological Services and closely work alongside and provide support to the Tong Meteorological Service, the National Disaster Risk Management office and other relevant national agencies involved in the development and operationalisation of MHEWS in Tonga to undertake the following activities. Duties and Responsibilities – Develops and supports the finalization and validation of the Tonga MHEWS roadmap (implementation plan) through the Tonga National Working Group (TNWG) on MHEWS and bilateral consultations with key stakeholders. – Supports the development and implementation of activities identified and prioritized in MHEWS roadmap, MHEWS Checklist and hazard assessment matrix for priority hazards identified for Tonga – Support the national EW4ALL leads and relevant line ministries in development and operationalization of MHEWS in disaster risk management and early warning policies, plans and programs at national and subnational level. – Supports the government-designated national focal point(s) for EW4ALL in streamlining and promoting the initiative across line ministries, relevant coordination platforms, including support to the design and running of consultation and trainings, support to undertake mapping/stocktake of EWS in Tonga. – Support coordination with a range of concerned stakeholders, including UN agencies, international, regional and national organizations, the private sector and others, as part of the long-term process to harmonize and develop EWS initiatives in the country under the common EW4ALL umbrella – Support the advancement of Anticipatory Action initiatives in Tonga in line with MHEWS roadmap. Specifically support the development of early action/anticipatory action protocols for selected hazards – Assist in developing project proposals, plans and reports related to EWS.

Qualifications/special skills

A first-level university ’s degree in either meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, disaster risk management, social sciences, public administration, or related field is required. • Minimum two years of experience in the areas of early warning systems, disaster risk management social sciences or public administration in Tonga is required. • Work experience with relevant national and sub-national stakeholders in Tonga is required. • Work experience in drafting strategic planning documents, reports and conducting consultations with stakeholders is required. • Working experience with the United Nations System or any other similar international organization in the Pacific region is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in Tonga and English is required.

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.