Result of Service

The smooth implementation of the Strengthening Early Warning and Early Action in Kenya project activities identified in the country workplan.

Work Location

Nairobi, Kenya

Expected duration

12 months

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 150 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 catalyses 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. Early warning systems (EWS) are key elements of disaster risk reduction, resilience building and climate change adaptation. An effective Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) includes four pillars: 1) disaster risk knowledge; 2) observation, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting; 3) warning dissemination and communication; 4) preparedness and response capabilities. The UN Secretary General (UNSG) in 2022 launched the Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative https://www.un. org/en/climatechange/early-warnings-for-all, aimed at providing a global EWS coverage by 2027. The EW4All initiative is co-led by UNDRR and the World Meteorological Organization (who also lead Pillars 1 and 2, respectively) with two additional pillar leads: ITU (International Telecommunication Union) for Pillar 3, and IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) for Pillar 4. To facilitate dialogue among pillar leads, UN member states have been invited to nominate national focal points for each pillar, with engagement by other national stakeholders. Similarly, United Nations Country Teams have been invited to nominate focal points to help drive EW4All action at national level. This consultancy will support the roll-out of EW4All in Kenya including supporting NDOC in establishment of the strengthening of the National Platform for DRR, inception and establishment of the National Coordination Cell for Early Warning and Early Action, Capacity development and staffing of the national coordination cell, connecting the National Coordination cell to the African Union Commission (AUC), ICPAC Situation Room guided by the AMHEWAS and ICPAC politically endorsed frameworks that are based off the roadmap.; strengthening of legal and institutional framework for early warning and early action, advocacy support to ensure that EWEA information is used to inform policy planning, investing and budgeting decisions in all relevant sectors, development and use of risk information and its application into the decision making processes for early and anticipatory actions based on warnings; Cost-benefit analysis and engagement with counties through the Making Cities Resilient 2030 initiative. The consultant – will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in areas relevant to disaster risk reduction, Disaster Risk Management, meteorology, geomatics, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in any of these fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least 5 years of experience in the areas of disaster risk assessment, early warning systems, and risk analysis relevant to EWS, anticipatory action and disaster prevention is required. Experience with early warning/early action, hydrometeorological hazards (flood, drought, etc.) assessment and mapping, vulnerability assessment and weather forecast, and monitoring is required. Experience of leading or contributing to strategy country-led development initiatives is required Experience in convening and organizing multi-stakeholder partnerships, events, or consultations is desirable. Experience with at least one major government institution or international organization working on early warning/early action or disaster risk reduction/risk knowledge is desirable. Experience with hazard assessment and mapping and experience in risk profiles/atlas preparation is desirable. Experience in capacity strengthening and resource mobilization is desirable Applicants for this consultancy are required to reside in Nairobi, Kenya and be authorized to work in Nairobi

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position 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.