Consultant (implementation of Arab Strategy for DRR)
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Background
In the Arab region, the League of Arab States (LAS) is taking the lead in promoting the integration of disaster risk reduction in key regional policies on climate change, environment and disaster management coordination mechanisms. It also supports and calls for the implementation of HFA at the regional and national levels and promotes the coordination of efforts towards implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).
A major achievement and milestone to set up a comprehensive regional framework for disaster risk reduction was the development and adoption of the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction 2020 (ASDRR 2020). The Strategy was developed by the League of Arab States and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction secretariat (UNISDR) in collaboration with specialised ISDR agencies, and adopted on 19 December 2010 by the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment (CAMRE). It was submitted thereafter to the 2nd Arab Summit on Socio-Economic Development held in Egypt in January 2011, where it was welcomed. The final endorsement of the Strategy took place during the 88th meeting of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States in September 2011.
With the adoption of the Arab Strategy disaster risk and related risk reduction has for the first time been recognized as a challenge threatening the development and well-being of this region and its populations. It is a very significant development to further investments to build resilience and reduce current and future losses due to the adverse effects of hydro-meteorological and geological hazards.
To move from strategy to action and consistent with CAMRE’s request, the ASDRR needs to be supported with a detailed Programme of Action “to enhance institutional and coordination mechanisms, and monitoring arrangements to support the implementation of the Strategy at the regional, national and local level.”
The UNISDR Regional Office for Arab States (UNISDR ROAS) in continued cooperation with ISDR partners working in the Arab States has been supporting the League of Arab States in preparing an implementation matrix as the backbone of ASDRR 2020 Programme of Action.
Purpose
This consultancy is designed to support UNISDR’s Regional Office for Arab States in its lead to develop the Arab Strategy’s Programme of Action, including its adoption at a Regional Technical Meeting planned to be held in 2012 in the region.
The individual contractor will provide substantial support to prepare related documents and meetings and ensure follow up to the decisions taken.
Tasks and related indicative time-allotment/ deadlines
• Provide support in finalizing the Arab Strategy’s Framework of Action based on inputs received from the League of Arab States consultation meeting and additional input received from HFA Focal Points, UNISDR, etc.. 10 days By 10 September 2012
• Support the presentation and discussion of the draft Framework of Action to the Joint Committee on Environment and Development in the Arab Region 3 days By 3 October 2012
• Submit Final document of the Framework of Action for the implementation of the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction 2 days By 15 October 2012
Expected deliverables
Submission of the draft Framework of Action for the implementation of the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction by 10 September and submission of final document with narrative summary by 15 October 2012.
Above mentioned deliverables will be provided in a timely manner following a schedule to be discussed between the consultant and UNISDR at the beginning of the consultancy. Additional ad hoc requests will be integrated and thus request certain flexibility of the consultant, which is a pre-condition for taking up this assignment.
Qualifications
The following qualifications and experiences are required for the completion of the assignment
• Masters or PhD or equivalent experience (of minimum 5 years) in a discipline relevant to development, environmental affairs and/or disaster risk reduction.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills with track record of research experience and ability to produce professional quality products in time.
• Very good knowledge and understanding of the Hyogo Framework for Action and knowledge of regional DRR mechanisms and frameworks and the related reporting requirements.
• Good knowledge of the status of DRR in wide cross-section of countries in the Arab region, preferably with field experience in the implementation of complex multi-disciplinary institutional capacity development programmes for DRR involving national governments, civil society, and international organizations.
• Excellent inter-personal skills and openness and tolerance to cultural diversity
• Fluency in Arabic is required and knowledge of English is an asset.
Remuneration
Interested consultants are requested to provide a detailed financial offer to carry out above mentioned tasks for a period of 15 working days mentioning their daily rate. (Cost for travel and per diems of such travel – if requested by UNISDR – will be covered separately by UNISDR according to UN standard rules and regulations)