Consultancy: Regional ATLAS on Natural Hazards in the Arab Region

Within the framework of the Ecology and Earth Sciences Programme of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science in the Arab States in Cairo (UCO), under the overall supervision of the Director of UCO and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Ecology and Earth Sciences at UCO, the consultant shall develop material for the production of a Regional ATLAS covering 18 countries in the Arab region namely Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen.

To this end, he/she shall undertake the following tasks:

1. Review the Sendai Framework on DRR and related documents including national reports, Arab strategy on DRR 2030, national strategies and action plans on DRR, decisions taken/Joint declaration pertaining directly or indirectly to Natural Hazards and Geohazards;
2. Perform a stocktaking exercise to draw country’s profile (18 countries) and to assess the impacts of Natural hazards on ecosystems, societies and economy;
3. Screen the recurrent Natural hazards in the 18 countries, their intensity and frequency and the resulting economic losses;
4. Develop map of the areas with high ecosystems and social vulnerability within country;
5. Communicate with all relevant national competent authorities involved in the implementation of the SENDAI framework on DRR and Arab Strategy on DRR 2030, and those working on the mitigation of natural hazards impacts (pre, during and post-) to collect all sort of data needed;
6. Identify key stakeholders and government agencies for the gathering of good practices/scenarios related to Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Nature Based Solutions for DRR;
7. Data collection, storage and maintenance shall account that the ATLAS is interactive and aims for time-series data collection and update.

Coordination/Consultation

• Regular contact, on weekly basis with Programme Specialist of the Ecology and Earth Science Programme at UCO on the advancement of the assignment;
• Communicate and coordinate with representatives of Member States who participated in the DRR regional workshop (Ref. UCO/Dec 2018) as well as UNESCO National Commissions, and relevant institutions for the provision of the material and information needed for the completion of the ATLAS;
• Copy the Programme Specialist of the Ecology and Earth Science Programme at UCO on all correspondence made for the purpose of this assignment.

Deliverables

1. A first section that consists of UNESCO’s mandate and work on DRR and Sendai framework as well as UNESCO’s involvement in international and regional partnerships and initiatives related to DRR, EbA and NBS.
2. A second section that consists of an introductory chapter about the Natural Hazards and Geohazards in the Arab region, their impacts on the socio-ecological systems and their economic and social implications.
3. A third section that consists of countries’ maps of demographic structure, geography, meteorological data, biogeography, land use and land management types, infrastructure/economic vulnerability.
4. A fourth section that consists of defined areas with their associated categories of Natural Hazards/geohazards occurring (i.e. flash floods, earthquake, sandstorm, forest fire, landslides, tsunami, etc.) and vulnerability to climate change. It will present the results of spatial analysis to reflect socio-ecological systems vulnerability in sets of interactive maps. It will include scenarios of good practices in countries where they show the diversity in the mitigation and adaptation approaches (EbA and NBS) based on acquired traditional/indigenous knowledge.
5. A fifth section which consists of a closing chapter including guidelines for good practices on EbA and NBS in the Arab region, the actions needed to improve the existing tools and early warning systems to strengthen ecological resilience and social preparedness.

Timetable

The consultant shall submit the book section in the following dates:

1. Inception report including workplan and timeline February 20, 2019
2. Sections 1 and 2 for revision by UNESCO Update on Sections 3 and 4 with preliminary checklist of complete material obtained/to be obtained March 10, 2019
3. First version of Sections 3 and 4 with checklist of material obtained for revision by UNESCO April 30, 2019 4. Sections 3 and 4 with checklist completed May 25, 2019 5. Section 5 June 7, 2019 6. Final version revised of the 5 sections June 20, 2019

Required qualification and education

University degree (preferably at the Masters level or equivalent) in natural hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction, environmental science, ecosystem management, and socio-ecological systems resilience, or in other fields closely related to the focus of the consultancy assignment.

Work experience 

Two to four years of relevant professional experience focused on one or more of the three areas cited below:

1. Natural Hazards/geohazards,
2. Environmental science and management,
3. Climate change and adaptation mechanisms,
4. Ecosystem resilience and social preparedness. 

Skills and competencies  

• Professional knowledge about, and direct experience in, disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and Ecosystem-based Adaptation and ecosystem-based management and Nature Based Solution;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent organizational, networking, partnership building and interpersonal skills;
• GIS, Good computer and other IT skills including social media;
• Proven ability to work in a multicultural environment and as part of a team.

Languages

Fluency (oral and written) in both English and Arabic is required.