Disaster Risk Reduction, Infrastructure Resilience & Sustainable Development

The United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) is a technology-intensive programme active since 2001 in applied research and innovative applications relating to geospatial information technology satellite analysis, and mapping. UNOSAT Programme Unit also delivers to its beneficiaries tailor made training courses on the use of geo-information technology for humanitarian aid, human security, disaster risk management, territorial planning and environmental monitoring.

The individual contractor will participate in a project aiming at enhancing the resilience of infrastructure through strengthened governance.

The individual contractor should provide support to national governments in assessing the level of infrastructure resilience. In coordination with other relevant expert(s), the individual contractor will support the policy and legislative review of infrastructure resilience using all the steps of the UNDRR/CDRI global methodology.

The Contractor will contribute to UNOSAT by:

• Research and analysis of current existing institutional arrangements, policies, legislations, regulations, risk assessment practices, and activities around the resilience of critical infrastructure at the national level;
• Organizing a local stakeholder process, including consultations with governmental representatives and infrastructure stakeholders to best identify needs and requirements;
• Gathering data (including through open-source datasets) and performing analysis;
• Running UNDRR’s infrastructure stress test and scorecard tool;
• Drafting an implementation plan and policy recommendations;
• Contribute to the organisation of workshops and consultations with stakeholders;
• Developing a final report with findings from the whole resilient infrastructure review process of the UNDRR/CDRI global methodology;
• Preparing communication and outreach products including supporting stakeholders and national focal points in their engagement in international events.
• Communication and advocacy requirements include:
  • Displaying UNDRR, CDRI and UNOSAT logos on project products
  • Promoting the project locally and internationally
  • Contributing to news updates (news stories) or any outreach material on events/activities on this project for the UNDRR and UNOSAT websites
  • Engaging with local and national media to share information on the project and this includes preparing newsletters, articles, blogs and press releases on the project
  • Take pictures and videos of activities and experiences of stakeholders
  • Identifying opportunities to raise awareness and broaden knowledge of this work
  • Supporting stakeholders and country focal points on participation in UNDRR, CDRI and UNOSAT events.

Stakeholder mechanism is supported and coordinated, the global methodology is applied, and policy recommendations are provided.

• Deliverable 1: Initial chapter on mapping institutional governance.
• Deliverable 2: Chapter on legislative reviews and analysis
• Deliverable 3: Chapter on stress testing analysis including findings from the stress testing workshop and the open-source dataset analysis.
• Deliverable 4: Chapter on qualitative assessment using the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure including the findings from the scorecard workshop.
• Deliverable 5: Final report with all components (including deliverables 1 to 4) outlined in the UNDRR/CDRI Global Methodology as well as the country acknowledgement letter
• Deliverable 6: Organize/Conduct one introductory meeting and two workshops, i.e.: a kick-off meeting with stakeholders to introduce the project; a first workshop to conduct the stress testing analysis and the principles scorecard assessment with stakeholders and a second workshop for validating the recommendations and implementation plan.
• Deliverable 7: The individual contractor should conduct a short satisfaction survey after each workshop and share the result as part of Deliverable 5. CDRI and UNDRR Regional Offices should be invited to these workshops (Deliverable 6).
• Deliverable 8: Lessons learnt and recommendations for future work in this area (what worked / what did not work one-page max).

• UNOSAT visibility is increased.
• Demonstrated competence to work in a team.
• Feedback from project stakeholders on reports produced.

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of UN system. 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 & Organizing: Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Based on the supervision received, develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments with minimal supervision; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary in a coordinated manner; uses time efficiently.
• Commitment to continuous learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; very good inter-personal skills and a demonstrated capacity to deal with colleagues and counterparts from different backgrounds, and proven ability to function in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnical environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Technology awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentation), including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written documents, such as technical and scientific papers, reports, studies, and other communication materials, articulating ideas in a clear and concise style; ability to prepare and deliver targeted and results-oriented presentations; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; strong interpersonal and communication skills including facilitation skills in training related activities.

• Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours.

• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

The individual contractor reports to the Senior Specialist in charge of the strategic Planning and Coordination Section and will work and liaise with other relevant UNOSAT staff as required.