Result of Service

Through this consultancy, UNDRR and the partners of the initiative aim to have a better understanding about the existing advancements and gaps for an efficient Multi-hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) in Antigua and Barbuda, while identifying the pertinent activities to be included in a concerted national roadmap that will address closing the gaps and advancing MHEWS in the country.

Work Location

Antigua y Barbuda

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background

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 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 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 Coordiation 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 Implementation Plan for the Initiative outlines the initial actions required to achieve universal coverage of multi-hazard early warning systems within five years, and sets out the pathway to implementation.
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 support the initial activities planned to be implemented in Antigua and Barbuda for the roll-out phase of the EW4All Initiative, in particular for Pillar 1 on Disaster Risk Knowledge and support the inter-pillar work (governance); and including facilitating dialogue among pillar leaders, the national focal point and other national stakeholders, members of the United Nations Country Team in the country, and other important partners.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Provide support to UNDRR in particular for Pillar 1 on Disaster Risk Knowledge and support the inter-pillar work (governance); and through it to the UNCT (United Nations Country Team) and the National focal point of the EW4All initiative by helping facilitate, where needed:

a. Stakeholder mapping of national, regional and global actors (government, UNCT, NGO (non-govermental organization), 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 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 / confirm 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 Antigua and Barbuda, including if necessary, updating the existing Situational Analysis for the country. 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-pilar 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. Under the supervision of UNDRR focal point for the Caribbean (Programme Management Officer), 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.

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.

4. The consultant 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

Bachelor’s degree in disaster risk reduction, climate change, sustainable development, or other related areas is required.
– At least 2 years of experience in disaster risk reduction is required.
– Work experience with national stakeholders in areas of disaster risk management, climate change, early warning systems, or identification of vulnerabilities and exposures is required.
– Experience with information management systems is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Spanish 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.