Result of Service

Infrastructure resilience and financing prevention advanced in several countries and new partnerships established.

Work Location

homebased

Expected duration

6 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 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.

Since its establishment, UNDRR has advocated for and supported a wide variety of stakeholders to understand the importance of resilient infrastructure, particularly critical infrastructure, and supported efforts to increase investments in resilient infrastructure globally.

With the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015, UNDRR increased emphasis on the topic, as one of the seven global targets measures reductions in damage to critical infrastructure through building resilience.

This momentum was further strengthened with the launch of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) at the SG’s Climate Summit in 2019. UNDRR is a founding member of the CDR) and currently supports its efforts throughout.

This consultancy aims to support the implementation of UNDRR’s engagement in the infrastructure resilience sector and financing prevention by assisting in the development of policy guidance materials and knowledge products of relevance to the objectives of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Reporting to Head of the Infrastructure and Finance for Resilience Unit, the consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks:
1. Support in the organization of events relating to infrastructure resilience and financing prevention.
2. Support in maintaining close communication and exploring partnerships.
3. Support the country’s implementation of the Principles of Resilient Infrastructure and Stress Testing of critical infrastructure and the implementation of the Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Reviews as part of the CDRI project, especially in Spanish-speaking countries.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in planning, international development, disaster management, civil engineering, 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 five years (5) of working experience in the field of financing, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, urban resilience or related areas is required.
Experience engaging with stakeholders is desirable.
Experience with research and report writing is desirable.

Languages

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

Additional Information

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

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.