Consultant for Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Sendai Framework in Central Asia

Result of Service Sub-regional consultations conducted in Central Asia, questions about Mid Term Review process filled and consolidated. Specific sub-regional report drafted and edited in Russian language.

Work Location Brussels

Expected duration As soon as possible, until 31 October 2022.

Duties and Responsibilities Under the supervision of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office in Almaty and in close liaison with the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction (CESDRR), the consultant will support the development and roll-out of structured consultations and report writing at Central Asia sub-regional and national levels, led/facilitated/moderated by UN Member States, UN System partners and/or other Stakeholders. The outcomes of the consultations and report will assess the findings of the retrospective aspect of the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework (MTR SF), as well as the recommendations that guide the prospective aspects of the review.

Informed by inter alia the Concept Note of the MTR SF, and additional guidance provided, the consultant(s) will carry out the following tasks: 1. Prepare a work plan with provisional timelines for the Member States CESDRR, stakeholder roll-out of the MTR SF, identifying meetings, events or processes in which MTR SF consultations and review can take place. 2. Work closely with and support as needed the national consultants for MTR SF in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. 3. Literature review – review recent regional assessment reports, outcomes of regional events (especially recent Forums of Heads of National Disaster Management Authorities of Central Asia), and other relevant reports and studies on the Sendai Framework, as well as risk reduction within sustainable development. The Literature Review undertaken at global level will also feed into this exercise. 4. Engage and support MTR SF focal point organizations and persons /facilitators for regional and national consultations and review – to be identified from among existing counterparts (DRR / SF FPs) and stakeholders, and/or focal points/facilitators from other global stock-taking exercises and/or sustainable development planning processes. 5. For each consultation and review exercise (at especially regional and to some extent national levels), consult with collaborating partners (where relevant) and on the basis of the Guidance provided by UNDRR, establish the methodology for retrospective review and prospective recommendations (e.g. scope [beyond the core questions]; [selected] aspects of the SF; context shifts; thematic focus/foci; context specificities; integrated risk understanding and management in other decision-making, agendas, sectors, domains etc.), and modality (e.g. public sector / stakeholder / multistakeholder consultations; group/focus-group/one-on-one; in-person/virtual; surveys; pre-consultation surveys; unique organizational/entity level review; expert group meetings etc.). 6. Support development of additional strategic or guiding questions (beyond the core questions) where relevant and subject to regional / national / local contexts or thematic foci. 7. Where relevant support the consultation and review process led by international organizations, governments, stakeholders or other. 8. Ensure the capture / collection / recording of in-depth content through consultations, surveys and reports (including Voluntary National Reports) , describing inter alia: progress, achievements, challenges, new and emerging issues, changes in context, recommendations for prioritized, accelerated and integrated collaboration and action in the period 2023-2030, as well as nascent elements for international arrangements for risk-informed sustainable development post-2030. 9. Under the leadership of the UNDRR regional representative (Supervisor), provide drafting and standardized presentation of MTR SF content received into the regional report, following the template given in the Guidance, including analysis of content, identifying and presenting common elements and recommendations. 10. Writing, editing, uploading and updating of content to the MTR SF knowledge hub.

Qualifications/special skills Competency: ¿ Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject areas. Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. ¿ Communication: Excellent and effective written and oral skills. Ability to convince people through constructive argumentation and to present information in a concise and accurate manner. Negotiating skills and ability to enable good communication and understanding between different interest groups, organizations, and cultures, etc. ¿ Planning and Organizing: Proven ability to plan, coordinate and monitor own work and that of others. Ability to work under pressure and use time efficiently. Identifies priority activities and assignments and adjust priorities as required. ¿ Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by valuing ideas and expertise of others and is willing to learn from others. Sensitive to cultural differences. Academic Qualifications: A first level university degree in social science, public administration, disaster risk reduction, risk management, environmental sciences, urban planning, sustainability, sustainability transitions, geopolitics, economics, finance, or other relevant discipline is required. An advanced level degree (Masters or higher) is desired. Experience: - At least three years of proven professional experience in the areas of disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, environmental management, climate change, public governance or financing, economic development or related fields is required. - Expertise in research / review and analysis, and the preparation and production of reports is required. - Proven knowledge and understanding of institutional, reporting, and legislative frameworks for disaster risk management or related fields in the Central Asia region is required. - Prior experience in engaging governments / stakeholders and facilitating multistakeholder consultations (in-person and virtual) and relationship management is required. Language: Fluency in written and spoken Russian is required. Knowledge of English is required.

Additional Information The Sendai Declaration and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (SFDRR) adopted by the 3rd United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015, were subsequently endorsed by Member States in the United Nations General Assembly. The SFDRR provides the framework for all-of-society and all-of-State institutions engagement in preventing and reducing disaster risks posed by both natural and man-made hazards and related environmental, technological and biological hazards and risks.

The MTR SF is a one-off and core requirement of the UNDRR, called for by the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General, and the Sendai Framework itself as part of the follow-up and review of its implementation. The MTR SF provides the opportunity for Member States and other stakeholders to examine lessons from the implementation of the SF framework to date, as well as risk reduction actions made in support of other relevant agreements, conventions and frameworks, and identify potential policy adjustments and new implementation modalities for the second half of the period of the Sendai Framework, that amplify and accelerate efforts to realize its outcome and goal, and those of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development amongst other global agreements, frameworks and conventions.

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.