Result of Service

The consultancy will contribute to UNDRR Strategic Framework 2022-2025 Objective 3.3 on: Disaster Risk Reduction strengthened across the 2030 development agenda and key intergovernmental policy decisions.

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

5.5 months; 16 January 2025 – 30 June 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), 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. The work proposed for the consultancy will contribute to the implementation of the “UN Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience: Towards a Risk informed and Integrated Approach to Sustainable Development” (hereafter: UN Plan of Action). The consultant will support the development of the 2024 progress report on the implementation of the UN Plan of Action. The UN Plan of Action, adopted in 2016, defines the support of the UN system towards the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) considering a risk-informed and integrated approach to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It addresses the need for coherence and reinforcement of the UN’s resilience building efforts to ensure that the UN system responds adequately to regional and country needs and contexts with regard to DRR. As the focal point for DRR in the UN system, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) coordinates the UN-system-wide implementation of the Sendai Framework. The UN Plan of Action is one of the main tools for maximizing UN efforts to support countries in strengthening risk-informed development programming, planning and investment and ensure that no one is left behind. UNDRR chairs two global mechanisms that facilitate the implementation of the UN Plan of Action: (1) the high-level UN Senior Leadership Group on DRR for Resilience (UN SLG) that proposes priorities to accelerate the implementation of the UN Plan of Action; and (2) the technical level DRR Focal Points Group that supports the implementation of the UN SLG priorities in particular and the UN Plan of Action, in general. The UN Plan of Action is accompanied by a Results Framework, the accountability mechanism for the UN Plan of Action. To monitor progress, UN entities report annually on the basis of the Results Framework. UNDRR coordinates the preparation of the progress report on the implementation of the UN Plan of Action and engages UN entities in reviewing the draft and final version of the report. In an effort to streamline UN system reporting on disaster risk reduction, the UN Plan of Action progress reporting, the annual report of the UN Secretary-General on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and UN reporting on the Sendai Gender Action Plan have been combined. In 2024, based on consultations with the UN DRR FPG, simplified the reporting template for the annual UN Plan of Action progress report, and developed a multimedia page to showcase progress. The UN DRR FPG also agreed to strengthen knowledge exchange, learning and advocacy around the UN Plan of Action. Specific areas of support include: The consultant will assist UNDRR in developing the 2024 progress report of the UN Plan of Action, including: Familiarize with relevant documents including previous Progress Reports on the Implementation of the UN Plan of Action, the UN Plan of Action Results Framework, the updated reporting template for 2024, UN SLG meeting reports and the 2030 UN SLG recommendations, and the UN SLG 2030 Action Plan. Support orientation sessions with UN entities to familiarize them with the new reporting template, Review and analyze the data received from UN entities reporting on the 2024 UN Plan of Action Results Framework indicators and UN SLG 2030 recommendations; Follow-up with UN entities to ensure data quality and comprehension. Consult with partners at national, regional and global levels to develop at five impact stories on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and resilience building; Review/update methodology in consultation with partners and conduct analysis of the integration of risk considerations into the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF) that have been finalized in 2024. Prepare a draft progress report of approximately 30 pages on the Implementation of the UN Plan of Action and joint implementation UN SLG 2030 Recommendations in close collaboration with UNDRR. Incorporate feedback received by UNDRR and the UN DRR Focal Points Group members on the draft report and finalize the progress report. Review the copy-edited and graphic design version of the progress report ensuring that the text, tables and figures are properly reflected and provide feedback to the copy-editor and designer. Document challenges and lessons learned in the process of preparing the progress report. Contribute to the substantive preparation of at three interagency meetings to review progress and facilitate knowledge exchange around UN Plan of Action implementation; Additionally, the consultant will contribute to the finalization of one deliverable under the UN SLG 2030 Action Plan. Specifically, the consultant will: Facilitate consultations with the UN DRR Focal Points Group on the Guidance Note on Integrating DRR & CCA in the Cooperation Framework; Finalize the update of the Guidance Note on Integrating DRR & CCA in the Cooperation Framework; In collaboration with relevant UNDRR colleagues, update the training package on the Guidance Note on Integrating DRR & CCA in the Cooperation Framework; The consultancy will be home-based. Under the overall guidance of the Head of the Interagency Cooperation Unit, the consultant will report to the Programme Management Officer, Interagency Cooperation Unit.

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s degree in International Relations, Economic Development, Development Studies, Social Science, International Development, Political Science, Business Administration or any other relevant 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 10 years of relevant work experience in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, resilience building or development work at international level or another relevant field is required. Experience in analyzing data and report writing is required Experience in conducting consultation processes is required Experience in strategic policy analysis and drafting policy guidance is desired Experience in inter-agency collaboration in the UN or any other similar international organisation is desired

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge in French or Spanish 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.