- Closing date: 28 Mar 2011
- Salary: Lumpsum fee USD2,700
- Location:Remote (Consultant is not required to travel nor to work on UN premises)
Job description
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for diversity
Background:
The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) was created by the UN in 2000 with the specific mandate to raise awareness about the need to reduce the risk of disaster. The UNISDR aims to promote disaster risk reduction as an integral component of sustainable development, with the goal of reducing human, social, economic and environmental losses due to natural hazards and related technological and environmental disasters. It builds on partnerships within and outside the UN towards the goals of reducing the loss of lives, socio-economic setbacks and the environmental damages caused by natural hazards.
Governments around the world have committed to take action to reduce disaster risk, and have adopted a guideline to reduce vulnerabilities to natural hazards, the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015. Its thrusts are: to make disaster risk reduction (DRR) a priority; know the risks and take action; build understanding and awareness; reduce risk; and get prepared and ready to act. The work of UNISDR supports those objectives, by helping obtain commitment from public authorities to implement disaster reduction policies and actions; stimulating partnerships across disciplines and sectors to expand risk reduction networks; advocate, support public education about risk and risk reduction and stimulate the increase of scientific knowledge about risk and disaster impacts.
The implementation of the ISDR is supported by a secretariat lead by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. The secretariat 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.
The World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR, 18-22 January 2005, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) represented a landmark in worldwide understanding and commitment to implement a disaster risk reduction agenda. This commitment was captured in the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters, a systematic, strategic blueprint to guide national and international efforts to reduce vulnerabilities and risks induced by naturally occurring hazards and human made processes. The Hyogo Framework states that its implementation “will be appropriately reviewed” and requests the ISDR to “prepare periodic reviews on progress towards achieving [its] objectives and priorities...and provide reports and summaries to the [General] Assembly and other United Nations bodies...based on information from national platforms, regional and international organisations and other stakeholders...”. Anticipating the approaching mid-point of the HFA, the UN Secretary General indicated to the General Assembly in 2008 that the second session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in June 2009 would initiate the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of HFA expected by 2010; this was welcomed by the General Assembly. The second session of the Global Platform held in Geneva on 16-19 June 2009 discussed the scope and modalities for the mid-term review and concluded that it should “address strategic and fundamental matters concerning its implementation to 2015 and beyond”.
The MTR of the HFA was undertaken throughout 2010 and early 2011 through a participatory approach involving stakeholders at international, regional and national levels with a view to addressing “strategic and fundamental matters concerning its implementation to 2015 and beyond”. The report highlighted: a) the adoption of the HFA in 2005 has played a decisive role in promoting progress across international, regional and national agendas; and b) significant progress has been made over the past five years in disaster risk reduction, with the passing of legislation, setting up of early warning systems and strengthening of disaster preparedness and response mechanisms; however, this progress has been uneven, reflecting broad economic and institutional differences among countries and regions, and HFA implementation has not taken place in a holistic manner. MTR provided recommendations for enhancing HFA implementation through 2015.
Consultations are being organized in the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, Africa, the Arab States and the Pacific with key stakeholders to seek their views on the outcomes of the review and ideas on the nature of the post-2015 framework.
Duties and responsibilities:
The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Senior Coordinator of the Mid-term Review of the Hyogo Framework for Action of the UNISDR to analyze the feedback emanating from the regional consultations and preparing a paper for discussion during the third session of the Global Platform in May 2011.
Objective:
The objectives for this consultancy are as follows:
1) To review and analyze the feedback from the regional consultations, paying close attention to the views on the MTR outcomes and recommendations, as well as views on what framework or mechanisms should be in place after 2015; and
2) To prepare a discussion paper on the possible post-2015 framework for the Global Platform.
Expected outputs:
A draft paper will be produced by the consultant after 1.5 weeks for UNISDR review and comments. The final paper will be submitted at the end of the three weeks.
Competencies:
Professionalism - Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
Planning and Organizing - Demonstrate effective organizational skills and ability to handle work in an efficient and timely manner.
Teamwork - Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Communications - Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations to staff at senior levels, both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style.
Qualifications:
Education - Advanced university degree advanced degree in Social Science, Economics, International Studies or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience - A minimum of ten years experience at the national and international levels in the field of disaster preparedness, mitigation, risk reduction, research and early warning; with specific experience in issues related to mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction in national and local development.
Language - Fluency in written and spoken English. Basic understanding of French and Spanish is an asset.
Other - Demonstrated analytical, communication and report writing skills. Prior working knowledge of the United Nations System and its specialized agencies funds and programmes is an added advantage
Contract type
The consultancy will commence on 11 April and end on 30 April 2011
How to apply
Please email the following documents to the ISDR secretariat at isdr.vacancies@un.org:
1. Cover letter, explaining why you consider yourself qualified and motivated for this particular assignment.
2. Completed personal history profile form
3. It would be appreciated your stating your full name and the ISDR vacancy notice number (ISDR/C/08/2011) as the subject in your e-mail of application.
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration.
No comments: