Open call for young scientist focal points in DRR

Background 

Young Scientists Platform on DRR 

The Young Scientists Platform on DRR was launched at the UNDRR Science & Technology conference in Geneva, January 2016, during a side event on the role of young scientists in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR. The Platform came about as a follow-up action from the Children and Youth Forum at the Third World Conference on DRR and youth’s participation in the design of the Sendai Framework, facilitated by the Sendai Framework Stakeholder children and Youth Group and supported by the UNDRR Secretariat and Science and Technology Advisory Group (STAG). The young scientist’s roadmap on DRR has been created to complement the UNISDR Science and Technology Roadmap to Support the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. 

The Sendai Stakeholder Children and Youth Constituency, as well as Young Scientists Platform on DRR, is part of the wider Children and Youth Constituency in intergovernmental processes - the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UN MGCY). 

The Young Scientists Platform on DRR represents young scientists on DRR across the UN system, both within informal and formal channels and settings. We have amongst all had representatives in the UNDRR Global and Regional STAGs and the Global Risk Assessment Framework (GRAF) advisory group. We collect and disseminate existing knowledge, experience and practice also develop new knowledge. 

Within the below references, you can find more information about us. If you are a young scientist or innovator yourself, please engage and in case you are of older age please encourage other young scientists to engage (e.g. share with your students).

• Young Scientists Road-Map for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework on DRR: LINK 
• Youth science-policy interface publication – 2nd special edition: Disaster risk reduction: Moving forward, thinking ahead: LINK
• UN MGCY DRR Working Group Website: LINK & Principles for engaging young people LINK 
• Seeds for a Safer Tomorrow Toolkit - Local Implementation of Sendai Framework: LINK 
• Report on the youth engagement within the Global Platform on DRR (the year 2017): LINK
• Report on the youth engagement leading up to the World Conference on DRR: LINK
• Mapping of youth actions in DRR: LINK

United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth DRR Working Group 

The United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UN MGCY) Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) working group is the formal children and youth constitute within the UNDRR SEM. It is an open, transparent and accountable constituency. Any young person in any capacity is welcome to engage, as well as children and youth-led/-focused entities. More information about the membership and governance please read the UN MGCY process and procedures, LINK. 

If you have any questions or want further information please do not hesitate to contact the DRR working group at [email protected]. 

Call for DRR Science Policy Interface (SPI) Focal Points

This is a call for 2-3 DRR Science Policy Interface (SPI) focal points to the following mandate period of 2021-2022. 

Responsibilities & Duties 

• Facilitate the engagement and contribution of young scientists to the Sendai Framework for DRR implementation. This does specifically include the work plan of the UNDRR Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism, SEM, as well as the development of a new DRR research agenda led by UNDRR and the ISC.
• Actively take part within the governance structure of the UN MGCY DRR working group as well as the SEM Science and Academia Major Group and the wider SEM. 
• Facilitate the review and update of the collective young scientists roadmap on DRR, followed by facilitation of its initial implementation.  
• Engage in any communication from relevant Science and Technology Networks on DRR, including upon request and as appropriate with the UNDRR regional STAGs.

Criteria of eligibility 

• You need to be an individual UN MGCY member or member of  any of the UN MGCY member entities. If you belong to an organisation or any other form of entity (network, student club etc) and this entity is not a member of the UN MGCY you can easily register in the website: www.unmgcy.org 
• You need to have a sound knowledge base on DRR and eager to promote science for evidence-based policy making
• You need to have the age of 29 or below at the time of application (This is preferable, depending on applicants received one of the focal points might be approved with slightly older age.) 
• If selected as a focal point, you need to ensure that you follow engagement principles of transparency, accountability and inclusivity. 

Areas of expertise and experience we specifically look for are: 

• Experience of interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder science within the field of DRR; 
• Knowledge on increasing disaster risks and uncertainties: including systemic, cascading, emergent, NATECH, rapidly evolving, and multi-dimensional risks;
• Knowledge and or experience on integration of different forms of DRR knowledge (e.g. scientific and traditional);
• Experience within engagement and interactions between science, policy and society;
• Knowledge and or experience on science coherence in support of the global agreements on DRR, climate change and the SDGs. 

Why should I apply?

• You will be able to share your existing knowledge and skills in DRR to influence the evidence based development and implementation of DRR policy. 
• You will be able to ensure meaningful engagement of science and academia as well as children and youth in DRR policy development and implementation.
• You will contribute to a more resilient world, by enhanced policy implementation of the Sendai Framework 
• You will gain unique skills and knowledge which no degree ever could give you. You will literally learn the real thing about international collaboration, policy and diplomacy.
• You will be part of a vibrant global team and get friends and colleagues all over the world, from all different levels of background.
• You will gain a lot of fruitful soft skills in project coordination, strategy development etcetera.

What happens after you apply?

After the final deadline of application, the selection team will review and evaluate the applicants and agree on 2-3 candidates. The selection team is open for any interested member of MGCY and Science and Academia Major Group in DRR.

Following this, the selection team will reach out to those with the highest votes and scores then ask if they formally accept the position. If they do they will be announced as the new GFPs to the working group's members.

Deadline to apply: 14th April