Consultant (disaster and drought risk reduction)

ISDR/C/13/2012

Background:

Created in December 1999, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNISDR has over 100 staff located in its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNISDR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action; campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people's lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as Prevention Web, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the organization of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

In cooperation with the African Union Commission, and the UNISDR Regional Office for the Arab States, the UNISDR Regional Office for Africa will produce an Africa Status Report based on the analysis and data of national and sub-regional HFA progress reports 2011-2013, as well as thematic issues crucial for the African region. This activity will feed into an ECHO funded project on drought risk reduction and will dedicate a full chapter on drought risk reduction in the context of Horn of Africa (HoA) drought risk.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the head of the UNISDR Regional Office for Africa, the consultant will:

• Update an Africa Status Report from 2009-2011 on the Status of Disaster Risk Reduction in the Sub-Saharan Africa Region, which was commissioned by UNISDR Regional Office for Africa but never published.
• Analyse the national and sub-regional HFA progress reports from the 54 African countries covered by the Regional Office for Africa and partly covered by the Regional Office for Arab States.
• Analyze progress in each of the five priority areas of the HFA for each sub-region of the continent with inputs from reports generated by the Regional Economic Commissions.
• Analyse DRR mainstreaming efforts through other documents such as United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAFs), Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) etc.
• Develop one dedicated chapter on drought risk reduction, including grassroots level inputs from NGOs and communities
• Integrate chapters on progress to reduce urban risk in Africa, as well as financial investments in DRR.
• Make recommendations for accelerating progress in DRR through HFA implementation in Africa in line with the Africa Programme for DRR.
• Work with staff of UNISDR Africa regional office to develop an outline of the summary report to be submitted by the office to the Second Global Platform.

Expected outputs:

The consultant will submit a report with the following sections:

• A regional risk up-date on patterns and trends in global and regional disaster risk, particularly the occurrence and distribution of hazard events, against which progress in reducing disaster risk can be assessed in Africa
• A review of progress in national disaster risk reduction and management through HFA implementation by countries identifying gaps, challenges and needs relating to development of institutional frameworks and commitment, risk assessment, monitoring and early warning, risk knowledge management, sectoral risk reduction, and, preparing for effective response
• How key thematic issues of relevance for DRR in Africa are being addressed in national disaster management processes, for example food security, urban risk, DRR investments and climate change.
• Recommendations for accelerated implementation of HFA in the region.

Competencies:

Professionalism:

• Knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles and approaches to disaster and drought risk reduction.

Communications:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
• listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
• asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
• tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
• demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, international relations, development, management, public policy or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in disaster risk reduction or related areas. Familiarity with the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters adopted at the WCDR. Familiarity with the Africa Strategy and the outcomes of the Second Africa Ministerial Conference took place in Nairobi, Kenya from 14 to 16 April 2010, such as the Ministerial Declaration and the extended “Africa Programme of Action for the Implementation of the Africa Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (2006-2015)” to align with the HFA.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English and French. Knowledge of Portuguese an asset