Result of Service

The consultant will contribute to the delivery of activities related to risk knowledge, disaster risk reduction (DRR), the review of, collection of and use of risk data and disaster loss data to feed into Sendai Framework Monitoring and Disenventar in the Pacific.

Work Location

Suva

Expected duration

May-December 2023

Duties and Responsibilities

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/ASG), UNDRR has over 100 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 UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.

UNDRR works on risk knowledge, UNDRR builds partnerships for the development and the use of risk information, focusing on the generation of risk information, as well as on linking risk information producers with user and operational bodies. The risk knowledge programme enhances access to quality risk data, including disaster loss data, it supports the development of disaster risk assessment, including systemic risk assessment and analysis to inform humanitarian and development stakeholders and their respective planning processes. Key partners include the UN system, national ministries and agencies and diverse partners who are providers of risk information.

This position will be based in the Pacific Subregional Office for UNDRR in Suva, Fiji. The consultant will report remotely to the Programme Management Officer of the UNDRR Pacific subregional office, under the overall supervision of the Head of Office. Support and supervision will also be provided by the Risk Knowledge and Partnership Branches of UNDRR, as appropriate. The consultant will further work to ensure close coordination with partners at regional and national level.

Specific areas of support include the coordination, implementation and monitoring of on-going programs in the Pacific around risk knowledge, including Sendai Framework Monitoring (SFM).

General
• Advise on risk data and information collection, application and governance, including hazard, exposure, vulnerability and climate information and analyses, loss and damage data, and Sendai Framework indicators.
• Support member states to continuously report and update Sendai Framework Monitor
• Support regional partners on initiatives on disaster loss and damage, including updates on Diseneventar
• Support decision-making and planning processes are evidence-based and draw on risk information
• Support coordination with UNDRR’s Interagency Cooperation and other UNDRR Units/Offices, national consultants and partners;
• Support gathering and documenting lessons and good practices as a result of applying risk knowledge

Key Functions:
• The consultant will work in close collaboration with the national DRR authority to enhance the collection and management of disaster loss data in relevant pacific countires. The consultant will also support the national authority in reporting on the Sendai Framework Monitor.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in disaster risk, risk analysis and management, risk modelling (including hazard, vulnerability, and exposure) or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with a minimum of 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in information management, statistics, risk modelling, development, adaptation or resilience is required.
• Experience in data conversion, management of quantitative and qualitative data systems, integration and projection or mapping/GIS software is required.
• Experience in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness and/or response or recovery is required.
• Experience in training and building capacity of both government and UN representatives is desirable.
• Experience in the UN system related to disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, humanitarian development-peace collaboration, response and recovery is desirable.
• Experience in humanitarian response planning, including supporting the development of Humanitarian Needs Overviews and Humanitarian Response Plans or other humanitarian plans at global and/or country level is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.

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.