Disaster Risk Reduction expert

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for Central Africa based in Yaoundé seeks the services of an experienced individual consultant to contribute to organize local consultations with stakeholders to discuss the needs and priority using the draft by UNESCO for its intervention on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Under the general authority of the Director of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for Central Africa based in Yaoundé and under the technical supervision of the Programme specialist on DRR for Natural Sciences in HQ the individual consultant shall be expected to perform the following functions:

• Analyze the legislative and regulatory framework for disaster risk management in the country.The individual consultant will conduct desktop analysis of the legislative and regulatory framework on DRR in general and the specific framework for flood, coastal hazard and volcano. The analysis includes the responsible entities of risk assessment for hazard mapping, monitoring, issuing alerting and raising awareness, response and developing/designating shelters.
• Realize a stakeholder analysis and establish a mapping of existing programmes and projects, and analyze the activities and partners for DRR. The individual consultant will identify different stakeholders on DRR and conduct desktop study on the existing programmes and projects by the government as well as the international donors. The individual consultant will focus on the flood, coastal storm surge and volcano as priorities.
  • Analyze stakeholders and institutional organism, identify their roles on DRR and realize brief capacities building sessions with key stakeholders during consultations.
  • Map the existing programme and project on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation on flood, coastal storm surge and volcano in the national government and local governments in major cities. The information includes the concrete activities (such as monitoring, alerting, raising awareness, infrastructure development, etc.) and the responsible Ministries.
  • Map the existing programme and project on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation on flood, coastal storm surge and volcano by the international donors such as UN organization and NGOs in major cities. The information includes the concrete activities (such as monitoring, alerting, raising awareness, infrastructure development, etc.) and the responsible Ministries.
  • Analyse the duplication of the activities in the draft proposal by UNESCO and make recommendation of the activities by UNESCO as well as identifying the major partners for the potential project.
• Consultation with local stakeholders on the proposal project. Based on the mapping and analysis above, the individual consultant will organize and conduct the consultation with local stakeholders for their needs (technical and training), priorities, interests and constraints of the intervention by UNESCO. The stakeholders include policy makers (national and local government), civil society (youth, gender, journalist etc), and academic institutions. Through the consultation, the individual consultant will prioritize the items of support by UNESCO and identify the partners.
• Develop the project concept note. The consultant will develop the project proposal based on the activities above. The proposal includes the background (risk, needs and major responsible entities of the country), concrete activities, schedule and budget.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

• Accountability (C)
• Communication (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in science, social science, engineering or other related fields such as disaster risk reduction. 

Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in local, national or international level on disaster risk reduction from perspective in ECCAS;
• Experience in developing project proposal in the disaster risk reduction;
• Solid working experience in the field of climate change and disaster risk reduction with multiple partners;
• Experience of developing work plan (experience in ECCAS is desirable).

Languages  

Excellent knowledge of English or French (written and spoken) and good knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Skill / Competencies

• Good analytical, organizational and project management skills;
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skill;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Proven ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and persuasively with various stakeholders at all levels, within and outside the organization;
• Capacity to build and maintain effective working relations with national/local authorities, relevant institutions, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations;
• Ability to work effectively and maintain effective working relations within a multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to manage heavy workloads and to meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to detail;
• Solid IT skills including knowledge of office software