Coordinator for the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector (GADRRRES)

The Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector (GADRRRES) is a multi-stakeholder platform comprised of UN Agencies, International Non-Governmental Agencies, leading humanitarian and development organizations, and private sector organisations, as well as similar regional alliances. 

The mission of GADRRRES is to ensure that children and adults in all learning facilities are safe from all hazards, and that schools contribute to building a culture of safety and resilience. GADRRRES’ vision, consistent with the objectives of the Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSSF), is to ensure that education sector duty-bearers and their cross-sectoral partners have the evidence, data, and guidance and technical support to be able:

• To protect learners and education workers from death, injury, violence and harm in schools 
• To plan for education and protection continuity, and limit disruptions to learning in the face of shocks, stresses, hazards and threats of all kinds
• To safeguard education sector investments
• To strengthen a culture of risk reduction and resilience through education
• To strengthen education system resilience, through participatory, risk-informed planning and capacity-development

The work of the GADRRRES is in support of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015- 2030. It is also aligned with and in support of Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Safe Schools Declaration on protecting education in armed conflict, and the Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) Minimum Standards for Education. 

UNESCO is recruiting a consultant to provide coordination support and technical assistance to help GADRRRES advance its mission.

Overview of the functions of the post:

The Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector (GADRRRES) is a multi-stakeholder mechanism that shares its vision with the objectives of the Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSSF) relying upon the largely in-kind, voluntary contributions of member organisations. 

The strategic objectives of the GADRRRES are:

• To strengthen global coordination and collective impact for school safety.
• To advocate for Comprehensive School Safety.
• To improve global information, resources and knowledge management, research, and capacity development for Comprehensive School Safety.

The strategic objectives are operationalized with a 2-year work plan with three Working Groups (and various task teams) newly aligned with the above objectives. The GADRRRES Strategy for 2023-2025 and Workplan builds on recent achievements including revision of the Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSSF) 2022-2030, and a Collective Impact Evaluation of GADRRRES. These are being finalized in July 2023. In addition 3 technical reference groups for Pillars 1, 2, 3 will be self-organized by subject-matter experts. Plans are underway to develop relationships, and to grow membership and partnership in the Alliance.  Working group co-chairs serve on the Steering Committee, ensuring coherence and complementarity activities and maximising the impact of the collective action of the Alliance. 

Scope of the assignment

Under the authority of the ADG for Education, the direction of DIR/E30, and direct supervision of the Chief/E30/EME and within the framework of UNESCO’s statutory documents, 41C/4 and 41C/5, the incumbent will serve as a Consultant to provide coordination and communications support to GADRRRES to advance its mission. In collaboration with UNESCO and UNICEF (GADRRRES alternate chairs) as well as GADRRRES membership and partners, he/she will support the implementation of the roadmap defined on the occasion of the GADRRRES Face-to-Face meeting that took place in June 2023.

Specifically, the coordinator’s role will cover the following functions:

• Coordination, e.g., Maintain ongoing mailing lists of GADRRRES bodies; lead tracking, and reporting on GADRRRES 2023-2025 Strategy and related Workplan implementation; support GADRRRES working groups and regional affiliates; facilitate quarterly Steering Committee / full membership calls; support bi-annual face-to-face meeting; lead an induction process with new GADRRRES members/focal points; develop, revise and guide adherence to core GADRRRES documents; support resource mobilisation; maintain calendar of global events; submit applications for GADRRRES-led sessions and side-events, etc.  
• Knowledge and information management, e.g., Organize and maintain GADRRRES shared documents and tools for collective access; support development and implementation of a collaborative knowledge management strategy using Google Docs, GADRRRES, INEE, PreventionWeb, YouTube and other websites for document-sharing and publication dissemination; maintain GADRRRES subscriptions and accounts; support development of organisational capacity to plan and deliver online webinars, support development of systems to monitor and translation process of the CSSF 2022-2030; develop and contribute to presentations, and capacity-development tools, etc. 
• Monitoring and reporting, e.g., Maintain ongoing documentation of GADRRRES and GADRRRES members' achievements; develop an annual report, etc.
• Communication, e.g., Compile and disseminate internal and external quarterly newsletters; contribute to content and maintenance of GADRRRES website; support advocacy strategy social media plan, including producing tweet cards, editing short videos and similar communications tools.
• Any other tasks associated with the role.

Competencies (Core / Managerial)

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

Required Qualifications

Academic qualifications

• Completed full-time advanced degree (Master's degree or equivalent) at a university or equivalent institution in education, social sciences, or a related field, prior to commencing the assignment

Professional experience and skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in international professional organisations with emphasis on organisational and coordination roles; may include field experience in the UN, international organization, or national NGO.
• Familiarity/working directly with UN/multilateral organizations and professional networks related to areas of work of the GADRRRES.
• Knowledge of the development and humanitarian communities, coordination mechanisms, and platforms, including donors, governments, the UN system, and relevant international and regional organizations.
• Excellent command of English.
• Excellent knowledge of computer systems and office-related software.
• Team player with strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, including the ability to interact with a variety of actors and work effectively and respectfully in a multicultural environment. 
• Ability to organize work, mobilize teams, and advocate to reach greater impact
• Ability to manage heavy workloads and willingness to work flexible day, across time zones.
• Some experience in budgeting, financial reporting, and fundraising desirable.

Desirable qualifications

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and/or Spanish).

Selection and recruitment process

The application should comprise an up-to-date curriculum vitae, and a cover letter highlighting relevant experience, and the strengths and skills that you bring to this assignment, considering the areas of work and ways of working of the GADRRRES. Your application documents must be in English.

Please note that all candidates must submit their proposal by email to the following email address: pv.klenner-forttes@unesco.org and provide complete and accurate information. 

The amount to be charged for the assignment considering a monthly rate, which should be quoted in US dollars or euros only.

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organisation the best value for money.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.