Disaster risk reduction expert to the East African community

Background

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multistakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human and economic and social risk and losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations.

The implementation of the ISDR is supported by a secretariat led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. The secretariat’s main functions are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction adopted the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and represents the key policy framework for reducing risk and to strengthen community resilience. The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction established by the UN General Assembly in 2006, I the main global policy forum for disaster risk reduction, and is complemented by a system of regional, thematic and national platforms, which bring together all relevant stakeholders.

This assignment is funded by the World Bank Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) as a part of its cooperation with UNISDR to strengthen institutional and technical capacities of the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other regional and sub-regional organizations on disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Africa. To minimize negative impacts of natural hazards on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa, the African Union and RECs are emphasizing integration of disaster risk reduction and management into the sub-regional poverty reduction, security, and sustainable development agenda to help create safer and resilient communities in social, economic and environmental terms.

Consequently, to expand and strengthen actions at all levels to reduce disaster risks and build the resilience of nations and communities to disasters, the African Union and the Secretariat of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development(NEPAD), with the support of UNISDR and in partnership with UNDP, UNEP and African Development Bank (ADB), led a process of regional actions to strengthen national capacities for DRR in Africa, beginning with the development of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The strategy aims to contribute to the attainment of sustainable development and poverty eradication by facilitating the integration of disaster risk reduction into development. The Programme of Action for the Implementation of the Africa Strategy 2006-2010 which was developed in compliance with a request by the 2004 Africa Union Summit, endorsed by the 2005 African Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction, and adopted by the Eight Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union in 2006, provides the operational framework for disaster risk reduction interventions in the region. In April 2010, the extension of the Programme of Action until 2015 by incorporating emerging issues and new challenges and opportunities was adopted at the Second African Ministerial Conference on DRR held in Nairobi, Kenya in April 2010.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships

Under the direct supervision of the Head, UNISDR Africa Regional Office and under the guidance of the Secretary General of the EAC, the appropriate Commissioner/Director responsible for DRR in the EAC Secretariat, the contractor will provide overall support to the EAC in the implementation of the EAC’s DRR policy/strategy in line with the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Facilitate incorporation of disaster risk reduction approaches in ongoing thematic/sectoral programmes of the EAC and EAC’s work programme for 2011 with strong linkage with climate change adaptation.

2. Provide substantive backstopping and other support services to the establishment of related disaster risk management unit of the EAC in line with EAC’s DRR policies/strategies.

3. Support development, coordination and harmonization of national assessment, practices, coordination and capacity building activities in disaster risk reduction and management in Member States of the EAC.

4. Assist the related unit of the EAC responsible of DRR to maintain liaison with the AfricanUnion, other Regional Economic Commissions, national governments, international development partners, the United Nations and its programmes and specialized agencies, intergovernmental institutions, major groups and other partners to support, promote and facilitate their activities and programmes to achieve the goal and objectives of the respective sub regional
DRR policies/strategies/mechanisms.

5. Help organize and prepare written reports, such as background papers, analyses, studies and reports on consultative and other meetings and conferences on DRR organized by the EAC as well as for Global/Regional/National Platform meetings for DRR.

6. Lead or participate in field missions and draft mission reports and documentation.

7. In consultation with AUC and UNISDR, support mapping of and capacity assessments of existing major training centres in East Africa that can offer capacity-building programmes on DRR and climate change, as well as mapping and capacity assessment of specialized institutions in East Africa which provide services for monitoring and early warning for hydrometeorological hazards

Results expected

1. Inclusion of DRR activities in the related 2011 programmes and projects of EAC with specific focus on linking climate change and DRR.

2. A report on the mapping of and capacity assessments of existing major training centres that can offer capacity-building programmes on DRR and climate change, as well as mapping and capacity assessment of specialized institutions in East Africa.

3. Substantive monthly progress report (A4, MS Word format in English by 20th of every month) to be submitted to the Head of the Unit responsible for DRR in the Secretariat of the EAC with a copy to UNISDR Africa Coordinator describing specific achievements within this assignment.

Competencies

Professionalism – Strong background, knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles and approaches to disaster risk reduction.

Client Orientation – Ability to identify and analyze clients’ needs and develop appropriate services to meet business requirements.

Communications – Strong communication (spoken and written) skills

Planning and Organizing – Ability to organize, plan and implement work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.

Teamwork – Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in disaster risk management, geography, natural resources management, development, public policy or related fields.

Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in disaster risk reduction or disaster risk management issues.

Language: Fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Fluency in French will be an added advantage.