Disaster management and recovery coordination specialist

Background

An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 on the Richter Scale struck Bhutan on 18th September 2011 at 6:41 pm, the epicenter of which was in Sikkim (Gangtok), India, close to Bhutan’s western border with India. As of 26 September 2011, the Government of Bhutan has reported 1 fatality and 14 injuries. All of Bhutan’s 20 districts have reported damage to social infrastructure including schools, basic health units, offices, Dzongs, monasteries and chortens. Overall, it is reported that over 8,000 houses have been affected by the earthquake.

The UN Country Team (UN Agencies, Funds and Programs, and the World Bank) made an offer of assistance to the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) soon after the earthquake, and on 22 September 2011, the RGoB made a formal request for assistance to the UN System in Bhutan. In addition, the government also requested UN support in fielding a Joint Rapid Assessment Mission to assess the damage and loss and the cost of these as a result of the earthquake. The Joint RGoB-UN-WB Rapid Assessment, with field visits that took place from 5-12 October, highlighted in its findings that significant recovery and reconstruction activities in the area of shelter, livelihoods, health (incl. psychosocial support), WASH, and education are needed in order to support the affected communities to recovery from the disaster.

The objective of the assignment is to support the UN System in Bhutan and the Royal Government of Bhutan in the recovery and reconstruction process following the September 18, 2011 earthquake.

The duration of the assignment is from 1 December 2011 up to 6 months. The Disaster Management and Recovery Coordination Specialist will operate in and from the UNRC Office, Thimphu, Bhutan. Local travel to the earthquake affected districts may be expected.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work

Under the auspices of the UNRC Office, the Disaster Management and Recovery Coordination Specialist will provide coordination support to the UNCT for immediate and early recovery response. Specifically, the Disaster Management and Recovery Coordination Specialist will:

- Liaise with the Earthquake Recovery Coordinator placed in the Department of Disaster Management, Royal Government of Bhutan, regarding the coordination and monitoring of recovery activities on the ground, including field monitoring and strengthening future response capacity and systems;
- Assist the RCO and UNEDMT in designing the facilitation/monitoring of recovery and reconstruction activities and assist UNDP with the review and possible extension of the existing project with DDM;
- Support the UNCT and UNEDMT in documenting lessons from the recent disaster and in preparing a roster of external experts for assessment missions in consultation with their organizations;
- Liaise with concerned UN and Government entities conducting sectoral assessments of the disaster, as may be necessary;
- Support the RC in coordinating recovery activities with Development Partners (resident and non-resident), the UN Co-Chair of the UN Environment and Disaster Management Theme Group and with relevant agency focal points;
- Provide technical support to the RCO and concerned agency focal points in the application and strengthening of coordination tools and mechanisms in the case of an emergency such as the Bhutan Disaster Assessment (BDA) tool and mechanism, and recommendations for update of the Bhutan Inter-Agency Contingency Plan, and Business Continuity Plan as appropriate;
- Liaise with potential donors on resource mobilization to address recovery and reconstruction needs, as well as longer term needs for Disaster Management support;
- Provide technical guidance to the Royal Government for the formulation and implementation of the national Recovery and Reconstruction Plan.

Expected Outputs

- Coordination and progress meetings with CMT/UNCT, Government and Development Partners, respectively;
- Recommendations for update of Inter-Agency Contingency Plan;
- Finalized BDA-tool and Standard Operating Procedures;
- Resource mobilization strategy and grant/project proposals;
- Report on Lessons Learnt from the recent disaster;
- Compilation of a roster of external experts for assessment missions.

Competencies

- Familiarity with early recovery issues particularly with regard to strategic planning tools and methodologies;
- Demonstrated experience in humanitarian and/or development coordination;
- Excellent proven skills in analysis, negotiations and leadership and overall diplomatic skills;
- Proven ability to carry out representation at the interagency forums;
- Familiarity with the Humanitarian Reform, IASC systems, and UNRC/HCT tools and procedures;
- Experience in preparation of written reports prepared in an accurate and concise manner and public presentation skills;
- Experience in project design and planning;
- Fluency in written and spoken English;
- Computer literacy, including familiarity with spreadsheets, and power point presentations;
- Professional experience in Asia/Pacific would be a strong asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

- Advanced university degree in political science, sociology, law, international relations, public administration, or other relevant field; or the equivalent combination of education and the extensive relevant professional experience in a related area.

Experience

- At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs and/or development, including at least 2 years of experience at the international level. Part of that experience must be in the field involved with early recovery and reconstruction strategic planning and/or coordination.