Disaster management consultant

Purpose of the Consultancy:

UNICEF is in the process of implementing a regional disaster risk reduction project, funded by USAID’s Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), in Eastern Europe. A key component of the project is to support national and local authorities in conducting disaster risk and vulnerability assessments, specifically focusing on children and women, in the target municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Moldova.

In view of the above, the purpose of this assignment is three-folds: a) develop risk and vulnerability assessment methodology for roll-out in the (four) target municipalities, b) facilitate training workshops in two project countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina and Moldova), and c) make concrete recommendations for the improvement of the draft global assessment guidance.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

Development of assessment methodology
• Review guidance and tools available globally to ensure that the child-centred disaster risk and vulnerability assessment methodology builds on the existing knowledge and practice.
• Develop a risk and vulnerability assessment methodology for roll-out in four municipalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Moldova.
• Based on the existing draft UNICEF guidance note, elaborate on the different components of the risk and vulnerability assessment. Introduce new categories or simplify as needed. This will require clearly identifying set of actions and steps that need to be taken by local authorities and partners at the community level.
• Conduct consultations with relevant UNICEF regional and HQ offices throughout the process for the development of the methodology, including validation of the draft guidance for the countries.

Facilitation of training workshops
• Liaise with UNICEF country offices in Sarajevo and Chisinau for the organization of the training workshop in the target municipalities, including the selection of participants, training venue, etc.
• Design and agree on the agenda and content of the workshop with the country office. Discuss possible sensitivities/issues which may impact results of the workshop.
• During the workshop, help participants in developing specific actions under each component of the assessment process e.g. purpose of assessment, hazard map sourcing, tool and facilitator selection, population sample selection and assessment analysis.
• Conclude the workshop with an action plan for carrying out risk and vulnerability assessment, with clear timelines and roles and responsibilities.

Recommendations for global assessment guidance
• Lessons learnt report on the assessment process in the two countries (what went well, what could be improved, etc)
• Recommendations for turning the country materials into global training package on assessments

Qualifications and Competencies:

Education: Advanced university degree in disaster management, social sciences or related field.
Specialized training in disaster risk reduction highly desirable.

Work Experience: Five to ten (5-10) years progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in disaster management, including risk mitigation.

Key competencies:
• Current knowledge of global developments and trends in disaster risk management.
• Knowledge and experience in the planning, development and implementation of disaster risk management programmes.
• Previous experience in designing and facilitating risk assessments, especially at the sub-national or community-level.
• Knowledge of the Southern and Eastern Europe region.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage activities within the framework of organisational and government programmes.
• Good analytical, communication and writing skills.
• Ability to work in an international or multicultural and team environment and develop partnerships.
• Knowledge of range of computer applications.
• Ability to work under minimum supervision and to focus on timely delivery of results.

Languages:
• Fluency in English language required.
• Knowledge of local languages a plus.

Expected Outputs and delivery dates:
• Disaster risk and child-centred vulnerability assessment methodology for roll-out in the project countries – by 15 January 2013
• Facilitation of training workshops in project countries for government counterparts – Bosnia and Herzegovina 28 January-8 February 2013; Moldova 18-28 February 2013
• Report, capturing lessons learnt from the assessment process in the two countries and recommendations for the global UNICEF training package on assessments – by 14 March 2013

Estimated Fee: 8,400 USD per month, excluding travel costs for country missions.