Result of Service

The consultancy will contribute to UNDRR Strategic Framework 2022-2025 Objective 3.3 on ‘Disaster Risk Reduction strengthened across the 2030 development agenda and key intergovernmental policy decisions’ as well as support the implementation of UNDRR’s NbS Strategy.

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

2 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 disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Specifically, UNDRR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the international strategy for disaster reduction, now the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015-2030; campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people’s lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women of all stakeholder groups in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as PreventionWeb, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the organisation of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

In the upcoming years, the strong commitment and involvement of political leadership in every country and partnerships at all levels are required to achieve the outcome set by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: “The substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries”. As highlighted by the Sendai Framework and other international agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a resilient future for all is only possible with an all-of-society engagement for comprehensive and coordinated action.

Building resilience, promoting disaster risk reduction and protecting the environment is a collective responsibility and challenge which calls for coordinated actions. UNDRR works closely at all levels with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders towards a global and comprehensive effort in support of country-level actions. The goal of engaging with partners and stakeholders is to build and enable systematic engagement and action between governments and stakeholders to reduce existing risks and prevent the creation of new risks for resilient socio-economic development at the global, national and local level.

The Sendai Framework outlines the role of ecosystems in disaster risk assessments (Priority1), strengthening risk governance (Priority2), and investments in disaster resilience (Priority3). Highlighting poor land management, unsustainable use of natural resources and degrading ecosystems as underlying drivers of disaster risk, the Sendai Framework urges countries to strengthen the sustainable use and management of ecosystems for building resilience to disasters. The Sendai Framework also calls for greater collaboration between institutions and stakeholders from other sectors and for ecosystem-based approaches to be implemented in transboundary cooperation for shared resources, such as within river basins and shared coastlines.

In 2022, UNDRR adopted an Engagement Strategy on Nature-based Solutions (“NbS Strategy”). The NbS Strategy acknowledges that the understanding of risk has changed since the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015. It recognizes the systemic nature of risks, in which one type of risk can transform into another, exposing and exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. Thus, environmental considerations should be addressed in an integrative manner through a multi-hazard perspective and a comprehensive risk governance approach. The NbS Strategy guides UNDRR’s work to support NbS in collaboration with key partners, including the integration of NbS in national disaster risk reduction strategies, the promotion of natural infrastructure as part of strategies to reduce disaster risk, the increase of investments in NbS and hybrid approaches, etc.

The adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in December 2022, and in particular its Targets 8 and 11, as well as the renewed momentum created through the midterm review of the Sendai Framework and its Political Declaration adopted during the High-level Meeting in May 2023, provide the backdrop for this consultancy. As parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are tasked to update their respective National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), additional guidance on is needed to ensure alignment between the goals of the GBF and those of the Sendai Framework, including recommendations on relevant national targets.

Focus of the consultancy:

The UNDRR Partnerships, Intergovernmental Processes and Interagency Cooperation Branch is leading efforts on aligning the goals of the Sendai Framework with those of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The work proposed for this consultancy will support the development of guidance and recommendations to support parties to the CBD in translating GBF Targets 8 and 11 into concrete measures and indicators aligned with Sendai Framework goals and targets. The policy guidance will promote comprehensive risk governance to achieve multiple benefits for biodiversity, climate change and disaster risk reduction, including through nature-based solutions. The consultancy will thus contribute to the implementation of UNDRR’s NbS Strategy.

Specific areas of support and tasks:

1. Carry out a desk review, analysing relevant literature, reports and other documentation and publications for the preparation of a scoping study on gaps, challenges and opportunities to achieve multiple benefits for biodiversity, climate change and disaster risk reduction;
2. Map existing indicators across biodiversity, disaster risk reduction, climate change and Sustainable Development Goals for consideration in the updating of NBSAPs;
3. Develop draft guidance and policy recommendations for consideration by national CBD focal points and other relevant actors;
4. Support the development of agendas and presentations for virtual regional consultations on the draft guidance and policy recommendations and support the development of background materials for one (1) in-person side-event during the forthcoming meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA).

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in planning, international development, international relations, environmental management, disaster management, social sciences, political science, law or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with at least two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• A minimum of ten years (10) of working experience in the field of biodiversity, environmental management,
environmental law, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, nature-based solutions at international level
or related areas is required.
• Experience with report, guidance or policy drafting is required
• Experience engaging in Convention on Biological Diversity processes is desirable.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the intersection of biodiversity, environmental issues and disaster risk
reduction, including good understanding of nature-based solutions applications is desirable.
• Experience in developing cross-sectoral indicators is desirable.
• Experience in managing multi-stakeholder consultations and good knowledge of UN development system and interagency collaboration is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

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.