Disaster risk reduction mainstreaming specialist

Background & Rationale

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) was established in 1986 to support the advancement of safer communities and sustainable development, through implementing programs that reduce the impact of disasters upon countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC is governed by its Board of Trustees and annually convenes the Regional Consultative Committee on Disaster Management (RCC) that brings together National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) from 26 countries of the Asian region. In 1999, ADPC was constituted as an independent non-profit foundation under Thai law, with its headquarters in Bangkok. For more information, please visit www.adpc.net. In March 2011, on completion of 25 years, ADPC in consultation with member countries and development partners development the Strategy to guide its support to countries over the next decade. The ADPC Strategy 2020 aims at focusing the involvement of ADPC on key issues in the region in relation to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, based on its long years of experience and comparative advantage. The implementation of ADPC Strategy 2020 is being pursued through a programmatic approach on three core areas namely Science, System and Applications for DRR, with each of the three programs having well defined Outcomes and Result Areas. At the same time, ADPC also went through an internal restructuring to organize itself in six thematic departments, with each having a niche focus and working together to contribute towards the overall outcomes of ADPC Strategy 2020.

One of the thematic departments is Safer Development Planning and Implementation (SDPI). The focus of SDPI is to enhance mainstreaming DRR and Climate Change Adaptation in development processes. Department’s work is based on the ongoing program of the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) on Disaster Management on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into Development (MDRD), which is underway since 2004.

In addition to above program, ADPC has been contracted by the New Zealand Aid (NZAID) Program for a multi-year regional project on strengthening DRR capacities in selected ASEAN countries. One of the components of the project seeks to enhance technical capacities of the national and sub-national governments vis-à-vis post disaster recovery and reconstruction in Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines. Main tasks include: strengthening of the institutional systems and capacity to integrate DRR into recovery and reconstructions, development of a recovery tool kit comprising manual, guidelines and standard operating procedures, and development of early recovery transitional action plan for reconstruction planning.

Building on ADPC’s past and the on-going efforts in the area of mainstreaming DRR into development planning as well as post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, the DRR Mainstreaming Specialist will be expected to provide technical inputs not only to the NZAID project but also to other relevant and related activities being undertaken by SDPI. This approach is believed to be instrumental in creating cross-project linkages for wider impact.

Status of the DRM/CRM Mainstreaming Specialist

The Disaster Risk Reduction Mainstreaming Specialist will be a core member of the ADPC’s Safer Development Planning and Implementation (SDPI) department and work under the direct supervision of the Head, SDPI. Being a technical specialist, he will follow the implementation structure and the reporting requirements. This position refers to the professional title and grade as per ADPC’s personnel policy and guidelines.

Roles and Responsibilities

The DRR Mainstreaming Specialist is expected to have relevant skills to support the SDPI Department on its mainstreaming disasters risk reduction into development (MDRD) programs. In addition, S/he will be responsible for providing technical inputs to the successful implementation of planned activities under the NZAID project.

Core Responsibilities

• Work with the SDPI team and provide technical inputs in terms of developing standards, guidelines, instruments and other related documents for integrating DRR into development planning processes as well as the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction activities.
• Undertake research and produce required outputs by reviewing technical documents / literature and generating primary information through meetings and consultations with different stakeholders.
• Develop capacity building training materials and products with regard to the key areas of the ToRs and organize training activities at the regional and national / sub-national levels in the region.
• Document best practices and case studies in order to help national governments of the region understand the value of integrating DRR into pre- and post-disaster development, recovery and reconstruction programs and projects.
• Provide support to Department Head of SDPI and the Thematic Directors with the daily management of SDPI’s technical and operational activities.
• Assist ADPC and SDPI with technical inputs to contribute to regional /international workshops/conference/focus discussions on the mainstreaming agenda.
• Provide guidance on the ways and means of developing synergies between ADPC’s mainstreaming program and other similar initiatives being implemented by others including UN agencies.
• Support the other thematic Departments for effective utilization of tools and guidance available for mainstreaming DRR in implementation of ADPC program on Science, Application and Systems.
• Any other tasks as assigned by the Head of Department.

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes required

A. Education Qualification and Work Experience

• Advance level degree in planning and/or engineering and/or development economics disciplines.
• At least 7 years of practical experience in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction, of which 4 years as technical expert on DRR mainstreaming into pre- and post-disaster programs and projects.
• Preference will be given to candidates: (a) Who have worked in Asia and most specifically in the ASEAN region; who fully understand the DRR/DRM systems of countries in the region; and (b) Who have practical experience of making or guiding the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction process risk-sensitive
• Has sound experience of developing technical guidelines, templates and check-lists for mainstreaming DRR considerations into productive and non-productive sectors
• Excellent writing and oral skills in English language

B. Practical Knowledge

• Project planning and execution
• Knowledge management
• Partnership building and networking

C. Work Attitude

• Strong desire to learn and contribute to the development and implementation of project/programs in target areas;
• Team Player, excellent interpersonal skills and elements to lead a team in multi cultural environment;
• Undertake new challenges; be a creative problem-solver;
• Willing to frequently travel in the region.