Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Expert

Result of Service

The consultant will undertake all the project activities related to regional hazard and risk assessment, the operationalization of the situation room at ICPAC and the enhancement of knowledge exchange between national entities on good practices in early warning systems in Member states. The DRR Expert will support the implementation of the grant with UNU-EHS titled "Towards actionable impact-based early warning in Africa: integrating exposure and vulnerability into early warning systems – a pilot study in the IGAD region." The DRR Expert will work closely with UNDRR PMOs and other key partners to support the implementation of EW4All related projects in the IGAD region, including the implementation of the Water at Heart of Climate Action and the Disaster Risk Reduction Capacity Building in Africa projects. Lead the integration of vulnerability data, methodology and workflows developed by ICPAC and partners into the ICPAC’s early warning systems and value-added services developed on the systems to enhance decision making across various actors and stakeholders. Support the documentation of best practices and organize for peer to peer learning and exchanges between member states. Support/Lead the collection, aggregation and analysis of socio-economic data for various vulnerability indicators (such as physical, economic, social, ecological, institutional, and cultural) from the global data sources for the IGAD region and/or specific member states and their integration in the ICPAC/IGAD geoportal as a base layer.

Work Location

Nairobi, Kenya

Expected duration

1 year

Duties and Responsibilities

Background Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. UNDRR is working with African Union Commission (AUC), African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Other Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States and other partners to mobilize resources for the establishment of Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) supported by the Government of Italy under the project entitled "Establishment of the impact-based early warning for early action and trans-boundary risk management function of the African Union". The initiative aims at building the capacity of the African Union Commission (AUC), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), African Centre of Meteorological Application for Development (ACMAD), Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Member States to effectively collect, exchange and analyse risk information relevant to impact based Early Warning Systems (EWS) for Early Action and Trans-boundary Risk Management. Furthermore, UNDRR is partnering with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and World Bank/Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) for the implementation of the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative in Horn of Africa region under the "Greater Horn of Africa – Strengthening early warning and early action systems for meteorological, hydrological and climate extremes" Project. Among other objectives, the project aims at supporting the operationalization of the situation room at IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) and enhancing knowledge exchange between national entities on good practices in early warning systems including but not limited to utilization of risk knowledge, Impact Based Forecasting and Anticipatory actions. The project also supports the strengthening of transboundary collaboration through joint training, development of transboundary frameworks for information/data exchanges. Experts from national entities will be supported on joint training activities on topics that include transboundary risk management, Impact based forecasting (including severe weather and flood forecasting) for early warning and early action, data management and information sharing. Through the project, platforms and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, exchanges and sharing of best practices will be created and encouraged for cross learning and pollination. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant will be based in Nairobi, Kenya at ICPAC headquarters. The duties and responsibilities of the Disaster Risk Reduction Expert are aligned to the implementation of the IGAD DRM strategy (2019-2030), Africa Roadmap for Improving the Availability, Access and Use of Disaster Risk Information for Early Warning and Early Action, including in the Context of Transboundary Risk Management and the four components of a people centered EWS at ICPAC and within member states: Risk Knowledge Support IGAD/ICPAC and more specifically the DRM program in the development of Multi-hazard, vulnerability, and risk assessment products at regional and national levels. Support/Lead the scientific and technical processes and approaches of socio-economic data acquisition, data rescue and data sharing in support of risk knowledge and EWS at ICPAC and in IGAD member states Support the incubation and development of disaster risk finance instruments necessary to attract investment in the climate risks and adaptation Monitoring, Impact Based Forecasting & Warning Provide technical support towards the achievement of target G of the Sendai Framework (early warning and risk information). Support the acceleration of implementation of recommendations of the Africa Road Map for improving the Availability, Access and Use of Disaster Risk Information for Early Warning and Early Action, including in the Context of Transboundary Risk Management. Work closely with DRM focal institutions of member states in hazard modelling and Impact based forecasting and risk information identification, monitoring, and early warning and early action. Warning dissemination and communication Contribute to the generation and dissemination of the continental, regional hazard early warning information through, inter alia, Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forums, existing products and portals/tools at ICPAC and AMHEWAS. Support member states on the design of dissemination and communication channels including bulletins. Review/Develop EWS Protocol and policies of IGAD and support members states in the establishment and deployment of EWS coordination structure in their respective countries in connection with AMHEWAS and the Africa Road Map for improving the Availability, Access and Use of Disaster Risk Information for Early Warning and Early Action, including in the Context of Transboundary Risk Management. . Produce and disseminate warning alerts in the IGAD region to enhance early response and anticipatory actions- This includes the development of an end-to-end feedback mechanism for the EW and AA Promote the standardization of alerts for different hazards and harmonization of key messages in member states Prepare and document best-practice guidelines on increasing access to and use of early warning services by most vulnerable communities. While this may reflect gender issues, it should also address socio-economic factors that include poverty, age, education gaps, access to mobile communications, urban-rural divisions, minority ethnic groups and languages, and people with disabilities, etc. Response capability. Identify resources and training which would strengthen the capacity of IGAD and that of member states to effectively operate an Impact-based EWS. Support tabletop and field simulation exercises by member countries in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Promote strategies for the engagement of member states in support of regional Early warning Systems Develop mechanism, training and protocols that strengthen transboundary collaboration, coordination and dissemination of warnings and alerts for events that are likely to cross national boarders

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in areas relevant to Disaster Risk management, Climate Science or Disaster Risk Assessments is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 5 years of experiences in the areas of Disaster Risk Reduction, disaster risk management, risk assessment, hazard mapping, socio-economic or application of spatial analysis is required. Experience in the implementation of a regional programme in close coordination with the Disaster risk management Authorities and partners in the IGAD member states is a required. Experience in hazard assessment or spatial hazard mapping and analysis in the areas of drought, floods etc is a required. Experience in preparing training modules, planning and conducting software-based trainings on hazard and risk assessment is a required. Experience in risk mapping and socio-economic vulnerability assessment or be conversant with various indicators of socio-economic vulnerability mostly for flood and drought is desirable Experience manipulating and analyzing socio-economic and Earth Observation data in different data formats or statistical software such as R, Stata and Python is desirable. Experience in regional DRR implementation including financing is desirable.

Languages

English & French are the working languages in the United Nations. For this post, Fluency in English is required.

Additional Information

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.