Consultant – Disaster risk reduction advisor

- Vacancy notice number: ISDR/C/05/2012
- Assignment start date: 1 February 2012

United Nations Core Values:

Integrity • Professionalism • Respect for diversity

Background

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multistakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human and economic and social risk and losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations.

The implementation of the ISDR is supported by a secretariat led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. The secretariat’s main functions are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction adopted the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and represents the key policy framework for reducing risk and to strengthen community resilience. The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction established by the UN General Assembly in 2006, I the main global policy forum for disaster risk reduction, and is complemented by a system of regional, thematic and national platforms, which bring together all relevant stakeholders.

To minimize negative impacts of natural hazards on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa, the African Union and the Regional Economic Commissions (RECs) are emphasizing integration of disaster risk reduction and management into the sub-regional poverty reduction, security, and sustainable development agenda to help create safer and resilient communities in social, economic and environmental terms.

Consequently, to expand and strengthen actions at all levels to reduce disaster risks and build the resilience of nations and communities to disasters, the African Union and the Secretariat of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), with the support of UNISDR and in partnership with UNDP, UNEP and African Development Bank (ADB), led a process of regional actions to strengthen national capacities for disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Africa, beginning with the development of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction. The strategy aims to contribute to the attainment of sustainable development and poverty eradication by facilitating the integration of disaster risk reduction into development. The Programme of Action for theImplementation of the Africa Strategy 2006-2010 that was developed in compliance with a request by the 2004 Africa Union Summit, endorsed by the 2005 African Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction, and adopted by the Eight Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (2006), provides the operational framework for disaster risk reduction interventions in the region. The extension and enforcement of the Programme of Action to cover the period until 2015 was discussed and agreed at the 2nd Regional Platform Consultative Meeting for DRR in May 2009, and formal adoption of the extended Programme by African Ministers in charge of DRR is awaited in 2010.

The RECs are responsible for coordinating inter-state initiatives under the Africa Regional Strategy, and operationalizing the regional Programme of Action based on their own policies on DRR which are already in place. For example, the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has adopted a sub-regional policy for DRR, established a Disaster Management Unit and is developing an implementation programme for its DRR strategy. IGAD has developed a DRR strategy and programme. SADC is revising its DRR strategy to bring it more in line with the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). ECCAS has completed development of its sub-regional DRR mechanism and EAC has finalised a comprehensive Disaster Risk Management framework which will accelerate the integration of DRR into its development plans and programmes.

In October 2011, the Sectoral council of Ministers in charge of environment approved the East African Community (EAC)disaster risk management framework which entails the development of a comprehensive regional disaster risk management (DRM) strategy, a creation of a sub-regional DRR platform, a creation of DRM unit under the office of the Secretary General. The framework also spells out the plan of action towards the integration of DRR into the region which includes development of both institutional and human capacities, mapping and assessment of disaster risks and vulnerabilities, mapping and strengthening the hazard early warning system among other activities. This consultancy will build on UNISDR’s earlier technical assistance to EAC and its Partner States. Appointment will be made initially for 2 months, with possible extensions depending on availability of funds and performance.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships

Under the direct supervision of the Head, UNISDR Africa Regional Office and under the guidance of the Secretary General of the EAC, the Commissioner/Director and the Head of the related disaster reduction unit of the EAC, the consultant will provide overall support to the EAC in the implementation of the EAC DRR policy and strategy in line with the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitate incorporation of disaster risk reduction approaches in ongoing thematic/sectoral programmes of the EAC focusing on major development sector to address risks root causes.
• Provide substantive backstopping and other support services to the related disaster risk management unit of the EAC in the performance of their functions as outlined in the respective sub-regional DRR policies and strategies.
• Support development, coordination and harmonization of national practices and capacities in disaster risk reduction and management in Partner States of the EAC.
• Undertake joint risk assessment and disaster loss assessment with national authorities.
• Assist in the development of the proposed disaster risk management unit of the EAC and maintain liaison with the African Union, other Regional Economic Commissions, national governments, international development partners, the United Nations Programmes and specialized agencies, inter-governmental institutions, major groups and other partners; support, promote and facilitate their activities and programmes to achieve the goal and objectives of the respective sub-regional DRR policies, strategies and mechanisms.
• Support the development of databases on national programmes in DRR to enable the disaster units DMU operate as a clearinghouse of disaster risk management information in the subregion.
• Help organize and prepare written reports, such as background papers, analysis, studies and reports on consultative and other meetings and conferences on DRR organized by the EAC.
• Assist the Regional DRR unit and Partner Sates to prepare the HFA report.
• Support policy, programmes and capacity development for DRR in the sub region.
• Ensure inclusion of DRR activities in annual programmes and projects of EAC as well the linkage between climate change Adaptation and DRR.
• Facilitate designing effective and implementable data sharing system between EAC Partner States and ICPAC for climate risks and other relevant sub regional institutions.
• In consultation with the EAC Secretariat and sub-regional office of the Economic Commission for Africa, explore possible areas for promoting DRR with major climate change adaptation initiatives (such as ClimDevAfrica programme) for the EAC region.
• Undertake any other duties as maybe required by the EAC and ISDR managers as defined in the DRR work programme.

Results expected

• Advocate, support and execute the articles of the existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) between EAC and UNISDR to ensure that its objectives are met.
• Inclusion of DRR activities in the annual programmes and projects of EAC with specific focus on linking climate change adaptation and DRR.
• Support EAC Partner states in DRR programme development.
• Develop and manage DRR projects as appropriate
• Support EAC and Partner States for HFA reporting.
• Link EAC DRR programmes to the Africa Programmes of Action (POA).
• Substantive monthly progress report to the head of the Department of Environment of EAC with a copy to UNISDR Africa Coordinator (or the officer- in charge) describing specific achievements within this assignment.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles and approaches to disaster risk reduction. Project management skills.

• Client Orientation: Ability to identify and analyze clients’ needs and develop appropriate services to meet business requirements.

• Communications: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.

• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.

Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in disaster risk management, geography, natural resources management, development, public policy or related fields.
• A first level university degree with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of work experience working with disaster risk reduction, or related fields.

Language

• Fluency (oral and written) in English and French.