Result of Service

Through this consultancy, UNDRR aims to successfully conduct the Americas and the Caribbean EW4All Multistakeholder Forum, as well as the Sixth High-Level Meeting of Ministers and Authorities on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in the Americas and the Caribbean. Additionally, the consultancy will provide a clearer understanding of the existing advancements and gaps in establishing an efficient Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) in Saint Kitts and Nevis and result in a roadmap for implementation.

Work Location

Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Expected duration

01.11.24 – 30.04.25

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, analyzes, 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 UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. The Americas and the Caribbean is the second most disaster-prone region in the world. Between 2005 and 2023, the region experienced one out of four global disasters and accounted for approximately 58% of economic losses due to disasters of diverse origins. During this period, more than 80 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean were affected by disasters and climate change is already exacerbating this situation. Additionally, the region faces socio-economic challenges such as economic and political crises, inequality, unplanned urbanization and environmental degradation, which increase vulnerability and losses associated with these events. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, leading to significant economic downturns, increased unemployment, and strained public resources. Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which represent a significant number of Member States in the region, have been disproportionately affected by disasters, particularly those exacerbated by climate change. These factors underscore the urgent need to strengthen resilience and mitigate the adverse impacts of disasters in the region. The Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, released in 2023, recognizes that the Americas and Caribbean region has made progress in promoting a multi-sectoral approach to DRR and in the development of policies and plans accordingly. Looking towards the second period of implementation of the Sendai Framework, this trend needs to be complemented by advancing investment and financing strategies that align DRR efforts with sustainable development and climate action. The Midterm Review calls for increased support from countries in the region in areas such as the integration of climate change with DRR, the use of fiscal instruments for DRR investment and the implementation of nature-based solutions. It emphasizes the promotion of capacities for interdisciplinary, integrated and multi-sectoral assessment and planning. Additionally, it prioritizes decision-making processes informed by risk and calls for enhanced support for the implementation of the Gender Action Plan and the Early Warnings for All initiative. Furthermore, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS, calls for stronger global and regional action to support the special needs of these countries. Addressing the wide range of regional challenges mentioned above necessitates enhanced interregional collaboration and the support of various multilateral agencies, especially those focused on climate change and DRR. It is in this context that the Sixth High-Level Meeting of Ministers and Authorities on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in the Americas and the Caribbean will take place between the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework and the Eight Session of Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. This High-Level Meeting will be held in Saint Kitts and Nevis, in parallel to CDEMA’s Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Conference. The meeting, to be held on the afternoon of December 5th, will bring together Ministers and High-Level Authorities from member States throughout the region to discuss progress made in the regional implementation of the Sendai Framework and prepare the region towards the Eight Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. It will be preceded by a high-level and multi-stakeholder forum on Early Warnings for All (EW4All) that will take place during the morning. Both, the Sixth High-Level Meeting of Ministers and Authorities on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the first Americas and the Caribbean EW4All High-Level and Multistakeholder Forum will be carried out in a hybrid format to allow for maximum participation. Multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) are key elements of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, as they help reduce or avoid the detrimental impacts of hazardous events. To be effective, early warning systems need to be risk-informed, multi-hazard, multi-sectorial, target communities most at risk, disseminate messages and warnings efficiently, ensure preparedness, and support early action. Multi-Hazard Early warning systems include four pillars: 1) disaster risk knowledge; 2) observation, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting; 3) warning dissemination and communication; 4) preparedness and response capabilities. The four pillars of an MHEWS (Multi-hazard early warning systems) need a governance architecture enabling interactions among those responsible for each of the components, framing their implementation within the overall disaster risk management (DRM) governance mechanisms (Interpillar). Multi-sector and multi-stakeholder coordination, involvement of communities at risk, having an enabling institutional and legislative environment, clear roles and responsibilities, and adequate operational capacities, are essential for effective and consistent Early Warning Systems. The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) is a special initiative of the UN Secretary General, which aims to spearhead action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems by 2027. The Early Warnings for All initiative was launched by the UN Secretary-General in March 2022 and its Executive Action Plan in November 2022 at the COP27 meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh. The Initiative calls for the whole world to be covered by early warning systems by 2027. EW4All is co-led by WMO (World Meteorological Organization) and UNDRR and supported by other pillar leads, ITU (International Telecommunication Union) and IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies). Additional implementing partners include FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), GEO (Group of Earth Observation) Secretariat, IOM (International Organization for Migration), OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), REAP (Risk-informed Early Action Partnership), WFP (World Food Programme) and others. EW4All aims to promote collaboration and synergies across all partners working on the promotion, design, implementation, development and monitoring of single, cluster and multi-hazard early warning systems. The EW4All Executive Action Plan outlines the initial actions deemed necessary to achieve universal coverage of multi-hazard early warning systems within five years and sets out the pathway to implementation. These initial steps include: 1. National consultative workshop 2. Mapping of actors (and initiatives) 3. Gap identification and analysis for each of the pillars 4. Nationally defined implementation plan 5. Creation of a national governance mechanism Duties and responsibilities 1. Provide support to UNDRR in effectively liaising and coordinating with government officials, as well as national and local partners in Saint Kitts and Nevis, for planned activities within the framework of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Regional Conference organized by CDEMA, the Americas and the Caribbean EW4All High-Level and Multistakeholder Forum, and the Sixth High-Level Meeting of Ministers and Authorities on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in the Americas and the Caribbean, organized by UNDRR. 2. Provide support to the EW4All Initiative (Pillar Leaders, the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office and the Nationally designated focal points) by helping facilitate: a. Stakeholder mapping of national, regional and international actors (e.g., government, UNCT, NGOs (non- governmental organizations), CSOs (Civil Society organizations), etc. and existing coordination mechanisms engaged in multi-hazard early warning systems. b. In coordination with national authorities, and other stakeholders, organize a national consultative workshop to launch the initiative and take stock on the status of multi-hazard early warning systems in the country and establish, or agree on/confirm a coordination mechanism that will facilitate the identification of gaps, the preparation of a roadmap / implementation plan for addressing them as well as for ensuring coordination at the country level for carrying out the proposed implementation plan and for ensuring sustainability . c. Develop a gap analysis report on all pillars and governance elements for MHEWS in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The report should compile and integrate information related to national risk assessments, including hazard, exposure, vulnerability as well as existing capacities in country and other relevant sectorial assessments. The gap analysis aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses on each of the pillars and highlight areas for improvement. d. Ensure Saint Kitts and Nevis’s Situational Analysis and a National Disaster Risk Assessment Framework are developed or enhanced and up to date, while ensuring the inclusion of existing and up to date risk data and the identification of risk data gaps, loss and damage database and national Sendai Framework Monitoring (SFM) reporting. e. Support the identification or establishment of a coordination mechanism in country to strengthen multistakeholder and inclusive collaboration to achieve an end-to-end multi-hazard early warning system. The mechanism should prioritize national multi-sectorial disaster risk management platforms. f. Support any further actions towards furthering the implementation of the EW4All initiative, upon the request of UNDRR. 3. Under the supervision of the UNDRR focal point for the Caribbean and the Regional Coordinator of the Early Warning for All and in close collaboration with national authorities and in particular the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), liaise with the Regional Offices of pillar lead agencies (UNDRR, WMO, ITU, IFRC) as required to facilitate streamlined communication across the RCO (Resident Coordinator Office), country officials and pillar lead agencies. 4. Raise awareness and promote advocacy for the EW4All initiative and the Sendai Framework implementation at country-level and among the UN Country Team, including sharing information products, convening meetings, making presentations, media outreach and communications, etc. The consultant will be based in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Navis and will report to the Programme Management Officer of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean (ROAC), based in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in disaster risk reduction, climate change, sustainable development, information management, or other related areas 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. At least 5 years of experience in disaster risk reduction is required. Experience with national stakeholders in areas of disaster risk management, climate change, (multi-hazard) early warning systems, or identification of vulnerabilities and exposures is required. Experience with information management systems, inclusion and gender equality are desirable.

Languages

English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Spanish is desirable.

Additional Information

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. *FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*. UNDRR values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women, men, and people with disabilities.

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.