Consultant (drought contingency planning)

Background

The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN ISDR) was established in 1999 to facilitate the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. UNISDR is mandated to “serve as the focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations system and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields”. In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR, 18-22 January 2005, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) took place and represents a landmark in worldwide understanding and commitment to implement a disaster risk reduction agenda. This commitment was captured in the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters adopted at the WCDR.

The Hyogo Framework is the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction in the coming years and it constitutes an unprecedented conceptual shift that takes account of the complexity of action in disaster risk reduction and the large variety of actors whose inputs are required in the pursuit of this objective. It provides the basic concepts and prescribes and expected outcome; details three strategic goals for disaster risk reduction and a set of five priority areas for action; and assigns tasks to stakeholders at difference operational levels to reach the expected outcome.

Priority Five of the Hyogo Framework for Action “Strengthening disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels” emphasizes the need for “coordination and exchange of information and early warning; contingency planning and response readiness”.

The UNISDR Regional Office for Africa is implementing a project entitled “Increased coordination, awareness and technical support to enhance risk management in the Greater Horn of Africa., Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya” The project is designed to target drought prone areas in the three project countries, building on existing initiatives to support state and non-state actors to integrate disaster risk reduction in development and relief efforts. UNISDR is looking for a consultant to develop a concept and guidelines for effective drought
preparedness contingency planning, which considers long-term mitigation measures as well as preparedness activities. Its aim is to ensure that early warning is followed by early action, and to go beyond the traditional concept of contingency planning from a humanitarian perspective. The concept should bridge the gap between development and humanitarian response and guide DRR
practitioners working at community, district and national levels to develop efficient plans and link them to planning at other levels.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the UNISDR Regional Office for Africa, the Project Coordinator and in close collaboration with other ECHO implementing partners, as well as local actors the consultant will:

- Carry out interviews with implementing partners and review existing drought preparedness contingency plans with a focus on the Horn of Africa to determine the gaps in current contingency planning
- Develop a concept for innovative drought contingency planning/early action planning which would bridge existing gaps and include long-term drought mitigation activities
- Develop practical guidelines for drought preparedness contingency planning/early action planning for implementing partners linked to the HFA
- Combine findings, concept and guidelines into a guidance document for partners

Key Deliverables

Publication which includes (a) Drought Preparedness Contingency Plan Gap Analysis, (b) Drought Contingency Planning/Early Action Planning Concept and (c) Guidelines for implementing partners

Timeframe

- Work plan including time-table developed and agreed with UNISDR within one week after the starting date
- Drought Preparedness Contingency Plan Gap Analysis carried out within four weeks after the starting date
- Drought Preparedness Contingency Planning/Early Action Planning Concept developed within six weeks after the starting date
- Guidelines for implementing partners developed within 9 weeks after the starting date
- Final delivery of finalized and edited publication within 10 weeks of starting date

Competencies

Professionalism:
- Ability to respond to changing requirements and assignments given.
- Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks.

Planning and organizing:
- Effective organizational skills and ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan.

Communication:
- Good communication speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
- Demonstrates openness in sharing information with others and keeping people informed.

Qualifications

Education:
- Advanced university degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in development studies, social sciences, environmental sciences or other related fields.
- A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work experience:
- Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in disaster risk reduction, development planning, contingency planning and early warning systems.
- Experience in community-based disaster risk management and experience in Horn of Africa an asset.

Languages:
- Fluency in spoken and written English is required.