Result of Service

With regards to functions as Focal Point to DP ECHO DP, the selected candidate will reach good coordination, articulation, dialogue and continuous communication with: DP ECHO DP partners in Latin America and the Caribbean, in particular in the South American sub-region, intergovernmental DRM (Disaster Risk Management) organizations (CEPREDENAC (Centro de Coordinación para la Prevención de los Desastres en América Central y República Dominicana), RMAGIR (Reunión de Ministros y Altas Autoridades de Gestión Integral de Riesgos de Desastres), CAPRADE (Comité Andino para la Prevención y Atención de Desastres), CDEMA (Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency), national DRM authorities, local government authorities and the respective seismology, volcanology, meteorology and hydrology institutions, among other implementing partners, counterparts and beneficiaries of the UNDRR project) and within the framework of the DP ECHO South America Action Plan.

The consultancy will therefore reach the initial implementation in Ecuador for the early warning for all and will also improve the dialogue among the different stakeholders involved, including improving risk knowledge, strengthening monitoring and analysis capabilities, enhancing communication and dissemination systems, and building response capacity. This will achieve for pillar one, the detailed roll out of the 18-month workplan for the a 5-year implementation strategy of the initiative.

Work Location

Ecuador

Expected duration

18 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Backgroud

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 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 selected candidate will work directly with UNDRR’s regional office for the Americas and the Caribbean and will report to the Sendai Framework Monitor and External Relations Programme Management Officers.

The European Commission’s Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) has been providing assistance to the Latin America and Caribbean region since 1994 in fulfillment of its humanitarian mandate to save and preserve lives in order to reduce disaster risk conditions and contribute to increasing the resilience of individuals, communities and countries in the region.
During this time, DG ECHO, through its Disaster Preparedness budget line, formerly known as DIPECHO, has invested more than €321 million in 34 countries in the region through more than 631 projects, reaching 30 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the participation and involvement of a wide range of organizations and partners. Disaster preparedness projects supported by DG ECHO are aligned with the objectives defined by the countries in the region (whether national or regional) and reinforce the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Since 2011, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and DG ECHO have joined forces in 14 actions financially supported by ECHO (an investment of €7,818,367) carried out in Central America (4 actions), South America (5 actions), the Caribbean (4 actions) and a regional support activity in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Duties and Responsibilities

This consultancy is two-pronged: on the one hand, to support ECHO DP (The European Commission Humanitarian Aid department’s Disaster Preparedness Programme), while at the same time to support Ew4All (Early Warning For All) as well as other activities at national level to support the country approach of UNDRR.

With regards to ECHO DP Focal Point, duties and responsibilities will be carried out simultaneously within the framework of the Regional Project approved by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) through its Disaster Preparedness Program (ECHO DP) and under the subregion’s ECHO DP Action Plan, as stipulated in the Humanitarian Implementation Plan in force, as well as in the framework for the EW4All initiative.

With regards to functions as Focal Point to ECHO DP, the selected candidate will facilitate good coordination, articulation, dialogue and continuous communication with: ECHO DP partners in Latin America and the Caribbean, in particular in the South American sub-region, intergovernmental DRM (Disaster Risk Management) organizations (CEPREDENAC (Centro de Coordinación para la Prevención de los Desastres en América Central y República Dominicana), RMAGIR (Reunión de Ministros y Altas Autoridades de Gestión Integral de Riesgos de Desastres), CAPRADE (Comité Andino para la Prevención y Atención de Desastres), CDEMA (Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency), national DRM authorities, local government authorities and the respective seismology, volcanology, meteorology and hydrology institutions, among other implementing partners, counterparts and beneficiaries of the UNDRR project and within the framework of the ECHO DP South America Action Plan.

At the same time, this consultancy also involves the EW4All initiative. Early warning systems (EWS) 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 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. Early Warnings for All (EW4All) is a special initiative of the UN Secretary General, which aims to spearheading action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems by 2027.

The Early Warnings For All initiative was formally launched by the UN Secretary-General 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 the end of 2027. EW4All is co-led by WMO (World Meteorological Organization) and UNDRR and supported by 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 early warning system.

The Executive Action Plan for the Initiative outlines the initial actions required to achieve universal coverage by early warning systems within five years, and sets out the pathway to implementation.

The implementation of Early Warning involves a range of activities, including improving risk knowledge, strengthening monitoring and analysis capabilities, enhancing communication and dissemination systems, and building response capacity. The implementation process should be guided by the stakeholder coordination mechanism established or confirmed in the national consultative workshop. Each EW4All Pillar has developed a detailed 18-month workplan and a 5-year implementation strategy, which should be consulted and used as guidance and blueprint. A key focus of this initiative is to promote a coordinated, cross pillar approach that prioritizes strong coordination. A monitoring framework has been established for use in countries, and technical support is also available to strengthen reporting on Target G of the Sendai Framework, which tracks progress on Early Warning systems.

The consultancy will therefore support the initial activities to be implemented in Ecuador for the early warning for all and will also improve the dialogue among the different stakeholders involved.

With regards to DP ECHO component:

– Coordination of activities and actions under the action, in close coordination with ECHO representatives, ECHO DP partners and national authorities as focal points to UNDRR and Sendai Framework Monitor (SFM).

– Ensure more consistent engagement with in-country partners and enable partnerships that increase sustainability, replicability and long-term impact of UNDRR and DG ECHO actions, including follow-up by UNCTs (United Nations Country Teams).

– Coordinate, together with UNDRR ROAC (Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean) and ECHO staff, DP ECHO South America, Central America and Caribbean activities, processes and actions to be carried out in the respective sub-region and countries and of project actions and complementary disaster preparedness actions, with the corresponding national authorities and partners.

– Act as liaison officer with the resident coordinator, humanitarian country team, United Nations country team, and members of the humanitarian clusters for DRR (disaster risk reduction) integration activities in humanitarian action.

– Promote and facilitate, in coordination with UNDRR staff, consultations on the Sendai Framework Monitor (SFM) follow-up mechanism, with the participation of key sectoral actors and local and national levels.

– Facilitate efforts and initiatives with regards to providing political and technical support in the face of the likely probability of a medium to strong El Niño Phenomenon in 2023 and 2024, including multisectoral and multilevel multicountry coordination mechanisms and dialogues.

– Promote the dissemination of information related to the International Day for Disaster Reduction (13 October), support the implementation of activities and collect information on what has been done in the country.

– Carry out support and/or monitoring missions to DP ECHO projects in the country, according to mutual agreements between UNDRR ROAMC and ECHO, if necessary.

– Keep UNDRR ROAMC and ECHO staff abreast of activities, progress, obstacles and challenges.

– Organize regular project coordination meetings between DG ECHO, UNDRR, partners and authorities of national disaster risk management systems, and other relevant authorities not limited to DRM, take notes of these and prepare meetings’ minutes and summary reports, distributing them to relevant partners, DG ECHO and UNDRR.

– Document best practices, lessons learned and challenges identified from DP ECHO budget line funded projects in the respective sub-regions.

– Maintain liaison and coordination with the ECHO DP Regional Project Manager regarding country level processes and coordination with relevant national authorities, UNDRR, DP ECHO national partners in country and ECHO regarding country level processes.
– Prepare an annual and final narrative report describing, according to the formats required by ECHO, the results and activities of the project, which will be approved by the UNDRR and integrated into the APPEL system.

– In coordination with the Officers of other countries in the region, prepare a summary of the development, updating and/or application and dissemination of tools and products of the project within the framework of ECHO’s regional objectives.

– Others as mutually agreed by the UNDRR Project Coordinator and/or Manager and other personnel of UNDRR ROAC.
The following reports shall be prepared:

– Monthly progress reports as per the Annual Work Plan.

– Sub-regional component of the midterm and final narrative report describing, according to the formats required by ECHO, the results and activities of the project, subject to approval by UNDRR.

– Others as required by UNDRR and/or ECHO, as mutually agreed with the Project Manager, SFM and External Relations Officers and the UNDRR ROAC Head of Office in his/her role as Project Coordinator.

Technical support for this position will be provided by UNDRR ROAC. UNDRR technical support to countries focuses on a better understanding of risk that provides a solid foundation for integrated planning, financing and monitoring. It will be multi-stakeholder in nature and will respect the core principles of ensuring inclusive engagement of all of society leaving no one behind.

With regards to the Ew4All component:

1. Provide support to the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDRR by helping facilitate, where needed:

a. Stakeholder mapping of national actors (government, UN (United Nations), NGO (Non-governmental organization), CSOs (Civil Society Organizations), etc. and existing coordination mechanisms engaged in early warning systems.
b. In coordination with national authorities, and other stakeholders, organize a national consultative workshop to launch the initiative, and take stock of status of multi-hazard early warning systems in the country in particular for Pillar 1 on disaster risk knowledge, and establish, or agree on a coordination mechanism that will facilitate the identification of gaps, and the preparation of a roadmaps for addressing them.
c. Develop a report stating the advancement on disaster risk knowledge and governance mechanisms for MHEWS in Ecuador. The report should compile and integrate information related to national risk assessments, including hazard, exposure, vulnerability as well as other relevant sectorial assessments. The report will contribute to the development of the multi-pillar and interpillar Gap Analysis.
d. In close coordination with national authorities and other Pillar leaders, contribute to developing a gap analysis across all four pillars of multi-hazard early warnings, and the inter-pillar component. The gap analysis aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses on each of the pillars and highlight areas for improvement.
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. In close coordination with other pillar leaders and national stakeholders, contribute to formulating a draft national roadmap that sets out how to bridge the identified gaps, and outline the key actions, technical support and capacities required to establish and improve multi-hazard early warning systems and their effectiveness, as well as agreed timelines and budget.
Support any further actions towards furthering the implementation of the EW4All initiative, upon the request of UNDRR.

2. Liaise with the Regional Offices of pillar lead agencies (UNDRR, WMO, ITU, IFRC) as required to facilitate streamlined communication across the RCO, country officials and pillar lead agencies.

3. Raise awareness and promote advocacy for the EW4All initiative at country-level and among the UN Country Team, including sharing information products, convening meetings, making presentations, media outreach and communications, etc.

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s degree in disaster risk reduction, meteorology, climate change or other related areas is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
– At least four (4) years experience in issues related to disaster risk management or reduction, climate change or sustainable development is required.
– Work experience in facilitation or coordination of national or regional initiatives, preferably of an inter-institutional nature, both in the public sector or with international cooperation is required.
– Work experience with national agencies in areas of disaster risk management/disaster risk reduction, national hydro meteorological offices or others as relevant (national statistics offices, ministry of environment and climate change, planning, etc.) in Ecuador, with relevant partners such as the Risk Management Secretariat or others is desirable.
– Experience in multisectoral or multicountry contexts in the Americas and the Caribbean and with national accounts for Sendai Framework, SDGs or similar monitoring and reporting, particularly with regards to indicators of the Sendai Framework’s target G, as well as working with information management systems, intergovernmental mechanisms, DRR Platforms, tools and working mechanisms related to DRR and DP ECHO is desirable.
– Experience in organizing and facilitating workshops or meetings, analysis and synthesis of information and in the drafting and presentation of documents with the participation of multidisciplinary teams is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in Spanish is required. Working knowledge in English or another UN language is desirable.

Additional Information

*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.