Consultancy: Development and implementation of communication strategy for disaster risk reduction

Within the framework of the Ecology and Earth Sciences (EES) Programme of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science in the Arab States - Cairo (UCO) and under the overall supervision of UCO Director and the direct supervision of the EES Programme Specialist at UCO, the consultant shall develop a communication strategy to raise awareness on ways to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards; to enhance social preparedness before, during and after the events; and to improve the knowledge on the tipping points pertaining to ecosystems vulnerability and economic losses in the Arab region. The region covers 18 countries 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 and all related documents including national reports, Arab strategy on DRR 2030, national strategies and action plans on DRR, decisions taken/joint declarations pertaining directly or indirectly to natural hazards and geohazards to contextualize a communication strategy for the region;
2. Review the material developed in the context of the regional DRR project implemented by UCO in 2015-2016 which aim was to raise awareness and build local capacities on DRR In Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and Yemen;
3. Review the assessment done on the impacts of natural hazards on ecosystems, societies and economy developed under the EES programme and the screening of the recurrent natural hazards in the 18 countries, their intensity and frequency and the resulting economic losses;
4. Perform a regional assessment on the existing DRR communication strategies and develop a synopsis on their effectiveness and success;
5. Perform consultations with national stakeholders to map the different categories to be addressed;
6. Conceptualize and follow up on the design of the materials and tools for the implementation of the communication strategy;
7. Develop an action plan and implement it in at least in three countries in the region on DRR.