National liaison officer

Vacancy: UNISDR-ROAM/DIP/CAR-GUY/017/2013

United Nations Core Values: Integrity ● Professionalism ● Respect for diversity

Background

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional of organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Led by the United Nations Special socio-economic Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNISDR has over 100 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences.

Specifically, UNISDR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action; campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people's lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as PreventionWeb, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the organization of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

ECHO: Humanitarian aid and civil protection department of the European Commission

Its Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) was created in 1992 as an expression of the European solidarity with people in need all around the world. In 2004 it became the Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid before integrating Civil Protection in 2010 for a better coordination and disaster response inside and outside Europe.

In 1996, ECHO launched a specific programme, DIPECHO (Disaster Preparedness ECHO) dedicated to disaster preparedness, targeting vulnerable communities living in the main disaster-prone regions of the world.

ECHO's humanitarian mandate prescribes a focus on saving lives, providing relief and thus assisting the most vulnerable groups. ECHO prioritizes 'people-oriented' preparedness measures and, therefore, focuses on supporting strategies and complementing existing strategies that enable local communities and institutions to better prepare for, mitigate and respond adequately to natural hazards by enhancing their capacities to cope and respond. This increases their resilience and reduces their vulnerability.

ECHO's support is a combination of community-based projects and projects at national or regional level that strive to increase resilience in the event of natural hazards. Projects are implemented through a wide range of partners, including local organisations that provide access to the most marginalized and vulnerable people.

DIPECHO programme

The DIPECHO Programme contributes to the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 (HFA). A key element in DIPECHO is the development of Key contributions in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) so as to identify successful models for replication elsewhere by national/sub-national authorities or other funding instruments of the European Commission, other donors.

The Caribbean region experiences multiple disasters: The region is prone to hurricanes, floods, flash floods, tsunamis, landslides and mudslides. Some islands experience earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The physical risk is combined with socioeconomic factors, such as high population density, fast demographic growth, inequality and great poverty. The combination of these factors results in highly vulnerable communities, with few coping capacities in the event of disaster. Moreover, climate change is likely to negatively affect disaster trends in the region.

DIPECHO Action Plan for the Caribbean 2013-2014

The 2013-2014 DIPECHO Action Plan for the Caribbean aims to establish greater collaboration and coordination between partners, allowing programming of common outcomes and the harmonization of practices. Furthermore, it focuses on improving communication and dissemination of DRR key contributions in the region, by capturing evidence of success on how DIPECHO projects have allowed the most at risk communities to anticipate, withstand, adapt and sometimes, recover quickly from disasters.

The forthcoming Action Plan also takes account of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters and reconfirms the commitment to regional initiatives to contribute to make schools and hospitals safer and cities resilient in disaster prone areas.

The consultancy is related to the UNISDR regional project within the framework of the DIPECHO Action Plan for the Caribbean 2013-2014. The Humanitarian Implementation Plan and the Operational Recommendations provide details to the objectives of the 2013-2014 Action Plan.

The regional project to be implemented by UNISDR includes the following elements: (1) Improving communication and dissemination of DIPECHO DRR tools and initiatives in the region, (2) Further advancing in the development of a common strategy towards DRR, as well as (3) Contributions to the consultation process leading to the post-2015 framework for DRR.

Duties and responsibilities:

The following points will provide an overview of the duties and responsibilities of the national coordinator within the UNISDR DIPECHO project for the Caribbean:

• Coordinate, together with the UNISDR regional office for the Americas, DRR organizations and experts, and ECHO the implementation of activities under the framework of the 2013-2014 UNISDR DIPECHO project at national and local level.
• Serve as liaison officer between the Civil Defense Commission in Guyana and UNISDR with regards to the implementation of the UNISDR DIPECHO Project activities.
• Support updating of one national DRR strategy considering the use of tools generated through the DIPECHO projects.
• Support the preparation of a country document for Guyana by applying the standardized country format for the preparation of country documents and the “Set of Criteria to prioritize DRR at the national level” in close coordinating with the respective Civil Defense Commission, UNISDR, national DRR experts and partners and other relevant regional and national DRR partners.
• Coordinate with Civil Defense Commission and national DRR experts and organization related to the preparation of national consultation workshops to prepare the country profiles, as well as the validation of the DIPECHO country profile by the corresponding national authorities, partner organizations and other relevant stakeholders;
• Prepare a report of the national consultation process leading to the preparation of the country profile, including the results from the national workshop. Give special emphasis on the application of the “Set of Criteria to prioritize DRR at the national level”. This information will be input to a regional report.
• Support UNISDR and ECHO activities concerning regional and/or national consultation and coordination processes within the framework of UNISDR DIPECHO project (e.g. one regional HFA2 and two national consultations).
• Promote and encourage the use and dissemination, among national and other relevant DRR stakeholders, of the tools and knowledge produced by the DIPECHO projects
• Provide administrative and operational back up for the implementation of all UNISDR DIPECHO project activities in the region.
• Support the update of the website for the DIPECHO Action Plan 2013-2014 for the Caribbean.
• Support the update of the common calendar of events and activities.
• Prepare monthly progress reports.
• Prepare a final project report with a detailed description of project activities and results following DIPECHO reporting format.
• Other project activities as requested by the UNISDR.

Programmatic functions:

• Keep staff of the UNISDR regional office for the Americas informed about activities, progress, achievements, and challenges.
• Maintain close coordination with the UNISDR Project Manager regarding regional and national processes and coordination with different partners.
• Develop an annual and final narrative report describing the status of project activities and results.
• In coordination with the Regional Liaison Officer, prepare a regional report of the Application of Set of Criteria for Prioritizing National DRR Actions which was developed in the 2011-2012 DIPECHO Action Plan, and its integration into the 8 updated Country Documents under the framework of the 2013-2014 Action Plan.

Requirements

Competencies:

Professionalism

• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field.
• Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection.
• Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.
• Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.

Communication

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informe.

Planning and organizing

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
• Uses time efficiently

Client orientation

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
• Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
• Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
• Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client

Education:

Minimum advanced university or equivalent experience in social sciences, national resource management, disaster risk management or related fields.

Required experience:

• Functional knowledge and professional experience in the field of disaster risk reduction climate change, and/or sustainable development;
• Project management or coordination experience with national character.
• Knowledgeable of the work carried out by the UNISDR Americas office;
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills;
• Experience in leading and facilitating workshops and meetings;
• Functional knowledge of ECHO action plans and DIPECHO projects;
• Excellent English speaking and writing skills; working knowledge of Spanish is an asset.
• Availability to work trips in the region.

Payment modalities:

Consultancy related payments will be made against monthly reporting, with exception of the first and final payment. The first will be made upon delivery of the work plan and the final upon submission and approval of the final products. All payments are subject to the approval of the Head of the UNISDR Regional Office for the Americas, responsible for the regional project approved by DIPECHO.

UNISDR is responsible for payment of air tickets and per diem for the consultant to perform the activities required to implement the project activities and fulfill its objectives.