Consultancy to leverage Private Sector Engagement in the Americas and the Caribbean Region

Result of Service- Implementation plan presented/

- Report on the implementation of ARISE members action plans along the global priorities defined by ARISE.

- At least two (2) sessions / side events o the RP23 organized with the engagement and participation of the private sector.

- Knowledge materials on SMEs resilience produced and disseminated in collaboration with ARISE partner.

- Event on the role of insurance sector in DRR organized in collaboration with ARISE and other private sector partners.

Work Location Home based

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities Background

In adopting the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030 (Sendai Framework), the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Member States identified the prevention of new risk, the reduction of existing risk and the strengthening of resilience as central to global efforts towards sustainable development. The private sector is a critical participant in the consecution of these endeavourers and in the advancement towards risk-resilient societies.

The Americas and Caribbean region is highly exposed to natural hazards. Disasters cost annually about $520,000 million. Over the last 20 years, the region has absorbed 53% of global economic losses¿because of¿climate-related disasters.¿Private investment plays a significant role in determining disaster risk. In most economies 70% to 85% of overall investment is made by the private sector. The private sector must be part of the solution or even become the driving force for social, environmental and economic change.¿Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience is a key priority.¿Investment -¿in¿new and critical infrastructure investment¿–¿must be¿risk-informed,¿otherwise¿risk¿will be increased¿and an opportunity to build resilience¿will be¿lost. Reducing losses¿and preventing the creation of new risk¿at the needed scale will only be achieved if the public and private sector work together. Public-private partnerships are essential for the scale of innovations and investments needed.¿

The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated the effective role the private sector can play in achieving resilience and supporting the public sector in DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) efforts.¿For this, UNDRR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction) is supporting the ARISE (global Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies) Chile network along with 23 national networks and 2 sub-regional business networks¿(Central America & Caribbean) in the region.

In 2018, ARISE Mexico organized a regional (Americas and the Caribbean) forum called “Resilience for all: the importance of understanding risk” with more than 800 participants from 14 countries including 12 national ARISE Networks and 60 international specialists.

From 2020, the ARISE networks further accelerated by the adoption off the new ARISE Priorities for 2020-2022, which are aligned and supporting the global policy discussions on the engagement of the private sector in the implementation of the Sendai Framework, Sustainable Development Goals, and Paris Climate Agreement, and related business and multi-stakeholder initiatives. The priorities are expected to drive action, support alignment between networks and member activities and the achievement of tangible impact of the initiative. Greater alignment across the networks will also enable and mobilize more active information sharing and collaboration amongst ARISE networks and with other private sector initiatives.

The ARISE four priorities 2020-2021 are:

1. Enhance resilience of small and medium sized enterprises. 2. Integrate disaster and climate risks into investment decisions by the financial sector. 3. Incentivize disaster risk reduction and enhanced data for risk-informed decision making through engagement with the insurance industry as global risk manager. 4. Support resilient infrastructure development.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will report to the Deputy Chief of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean (ROAC):

-Monitor and report on the status of implementation of ARISE (the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies) partners’ action plans and provide support as necessary.

-Oversee the implementation of specific initiatives in support of ARISE partners in the region, with a focus on SME’s (Small and medium enterprises) resilience and the role of the insurance sector in Disaster Risk Reduction.

-Support the organization of meetings and events.

-Specifically, support the organization of sessions in the VIII Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas & the Caribbean (RP23) (28 February to 2 March 2023, Uruguay).

-Conduct research, compile information and present reports on specific issues related to private sector engagement in disaster risk reduction.

Qualifications/special skills Advance university degree in development, international commerce, business social responsibility, business development, economics, finance or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. - Minimum five (5) years work experience experience and knowledge in project management is required;

- Experience in working with the private as well as public sector is required. - Work experience in the field of public private partnerships is desirable. - Knowledge in Disaster Risk Reduction and the work of UNDRR is desirable. - Experience preparing reports is desirable; - Experience in understanding consultation processes, liaison with different stakeholder groups such as private sector, national government and regional organizations is a plus. - Experience in organizing and facilitating meetings and training is a plus.

Languages Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another UN working language is an advantage.

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.