Technical specialist - disaster risk reduction

Background

A national policy on disaster risk reduction and prevention in Rwanda was formulated in 2002 and approved by the Cabinet in July 2003 paving the way for the establishment of a Disaster Management Unit. The Disaster Management Unit has been transferred a number of times to various offices, including the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Internal Security, Rwanda National Police, and Ministry of Local Authorities. On 12 April 2010, the unit was moved to the newly created Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs.

The Government of Rwanda’s Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) and Vision 2020 are geared towards economic growth and achieving the MDGs. Disaster mitigation, the reduction of the impact of disasters on the citizens of Rwanda, is a central component of the drive towards sustainable development and Vision 2020.

With the support of UNDP, the Government put together the National Disaster Preparedness and Contingency Plan (7 December 2009). This plan confirms the arrangements for disaster risk management and for preparing for and responding to disasters within the Republic of Rwanda as required by the Constitution, 2003 as amended to date and other laws. UN agencies are members of the Disaster Management Task Force described in the plan.

Since the Vision 2020 was developed, Rwanda has implemented strong policy reforms which have driven high and steady rates of economic growth averaging 6% to 7%, with a peak of double digit growth rate in 2008 (11.6%). The implementation of EDPRS has helped the country to reduce poverty and develop economically; significant progress has been made in a number of development areas, a number of targets have been already achieved and others are on track to be achieved.

From the time the current Vision 2020 was launched, a number of new development opportunities and challenges have emerged which need to be taken into consideration. Some key aspects of sustainable development such as climate change, disaster risks, access to energy and clean water, rural habitat development; suitable infrastructures were not given much consideration as prerequisite of national development.

From the Disaster Risk perspective, climate change will have profound consequences on Rwanda. As we plan for social transformation and economic growth we need to combat the already existing impacts of climate change like floods, droughts, landslides to mention a few and the revised Vision 2020 will therefore need to integrate issues related to climate change and disaster risk reduction.

The EDPRS 2 (2013-2017) is currently under development. Within this context, the One UN is committed to ensuring that the next UNDAP (2013-2017) is fully aligned to the national planning processes as well as the priorities set out in the second EDPRS. Alignment with Government priorities identified in the next EDPRS provides an important opportunity for the UN system in Rwanda to show its commitment to the principles and practices of the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action. Alignment with government priorities will also help to strengthen the role of UN agencies in processes of donor harmonization, donor coordination and division of labor.

UNDP works closely with governments in disaster-risk countries to build capacities at the national, sub-national and local levels for reducing disaster risk. A major role of the UNDP/Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) is to support UNDP Country Offices in the formulation and implementation of programme and projects for disaster risk reduction. As part of this support, UNDP/BCPR has Disaster Reduction Specialists in selected high disaster-risk countries.

Under the overall guidance of the Country Director of the UNDP Rwanda Country Office and technical guidance of the BCPR Regional Disaster Reduction Advisor Johannesburg, the NDRA is responsible for providing technical advice and support to the development and implementation of disaster risk reduction programmes in Rwanda. As such, the Specialist will be located in the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) and will be reporting directly to the Permanent Secretary of the MIDIMAR.

The position requires high degree of technical knowledge of disaster risk reduction, ability to quickly analyze and understand the country context, build partnerships, develop innovative solutions and mobilize regional and global knowledge to meet the specific country needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Provide policy advice and technical input for the design, development, and implementation of national disaster reduction risk reduction initiatives in support of the MIDIMAR;
- Develop sustainable and integrated capacity-development related initiatives for MIDIMAR, Districts, Sector Disaster Committees and DMTF members as well as developing an appropriate implementation plan;
- Map out likely scenario’s and review the Government of Rwanda’s capacity in responding to disasters, and existing contingency mitigation plans;
- Identify specific needs and demands in different technical areas – risk identification, urban risk management, pre-disaster recovery planning – and help build partnerships at the national, regional or global levels to meet those needs. Where possible, serve as a broker in harnessing regional and global support through UN/UNDP to respond to such needs;
- Analyse the socio-economic environment, disaster-risk and institutional context to provide advisory services in the field of disaster reduction, identifying catalytic areas where disaster risk reduction can be integrated and add value to other, ongoing or planned UN/UNDP support interventions;
- Assist MIDIMAR in coordinating UN/UNDP disaster reduction efforts with the other ISDR system partners - government agencies, UN agencies, the World Bank, national and international NGOs, academic and technical institutions - at the country level. Where suitable (such as in One-UN Pilot Countries), serve as a resource for the ISDR system in ensuring that the national government receives a coherent package of support from the system;
- Support MIDIMAR in identifying and following up on potential opportunities for resource mobilization in support of disaster risk reduction programmes. This may include support from bilateral development partners, the international financial institutions, as well as resources from the Government of Rwanda;
- In post-disaster situations, in coordination with the Regional Disaster Reduction Advisor (and other support available from regional and global level) advise the Country Office on recovery issues including: utilization of emergency grants; post-disaster assessments; formulation of early recovery frameworks/programmes; reorientation, as appropriate, of existing CO programmes to meet recovery needs; and planning for longer term recovery.

Competencies

Core

- Integrity and fairness - embodies UN values and promotes the well-being of all individuals regardless of gender, religion, race, nationality, or age;
- Cultural sensitivity and adaptability - communicates effectively with and relates to people of different cultures, demonstrating an ability to see issues from other perspectives;
- Strong corporate commitment - works to achieve the goals of UNDP as a whole making significant contributions to corporate priorities or initiatives led by other UNDP offices and bureaus.

Functional

- Knowledge of the international disaster reduction system;
- Knowledge of country’s hazards, vulnerabilities and risks;
- Ability to provide inputs for disaster risk assessment and its application to risk management decision-making.

Managerial

- Ability to build strong relationships with external actors - cultivate productive relationships with donors, partners and other important institutions and individuals;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to anticipate and understand client needs, formulate clear strategic plans, prioritize interventions, and allocate resources according to priorities;
- Ability to develop innovative solutions - encourages and contributes creative solutions to address challenging situations.

Behavioral

- Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment;
- Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

- Advanced university degree in social sciences or discipline relevant to disaster reduction with internationally recognised contributions to the theory and practice of disaster reduction.

Experience

- Proven record of achievement over 7 years of increasingly responsible experience in planning and managing technical co-operation strategies and relevant advocacy programmes in disaster reduction, emergency response and post-disaster recovery;
- Extensive field experience in disaster environments and an in-depth knowledge of issues in the country;
- Application of theoretical knowledge in the design, management and evaluation of complex, multi-disciplinary capacity building programmes involving national governments, civil society and international organizations;
- Well proven analytical and writing skills;
- Demonstrated abilities and contributions to policy and guideline formulation, resource mobilisation, team building, team leadership and management, preferably in a capacity related to the UN system;
- Experience in establishing inter-organisational networks and partnerships at the operational level.

Language requirements

- Fluency in English and/or French essential.