Consultant – SAIO ECHO partners meeting

Result of Service - Inception report presenting the methodological approach, tools and workplan for the consultancy - Report on the results of the discussions with ECHO partners, including identification of good practices to be presented in the workshop and preparatory sessions with the identified speakers - Report on the briefing sessions with speakers and moderators of the sessions - Report of the process of organizing and facilitating the workshop, including recommendations for the organization of future workshops to foster exchange of experiences among ECHO partners

Work Location Home based

Expected duration 3 months

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Context 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. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNDRR has around 100 staff located in its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNDRR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction and guides, monitors and reports on its implementation (particularly through follow-up and review of 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, for increased and informed participation of men and women in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as Prevention Web, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the organization of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Objective of the assignment:

The Southern Africa and Indian Ocean (SAIO) region is highly vulnerable to various hazards ranging from floods, cyclones, droughts and epidemics resulting in loss of lives and livelihood assets. Disasters represent a major source of risk for the most vulnerable populations and their recurrence can undermine development gains. In some countries, this burden is exacerbated by a challenging political and socio-economic environment, such as Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Malawi, Lesotho, Eswatini, by internal conflict and insecurity such as in Northern Mozambique and overall by structural fragilities and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. UNDRR will organize in December 2021 the “virtual ECHO and partners Regional Workshop on Disaster Preparedness in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (SAIO)” in order to review experiences and lessons learned from current practices, programmes and projects on disaster preparedness in the region and how governments and DP partners have adapted to COVID-19 conditions. The workshop also aims at reviewing the achievements and gaps related to disaster preparedness (DP) in the SAIO region and discuss the contribution of ECHO and non-ECHO partners to the preparedness and response to concurrent and cascading events in the SAIO region. In addition, the workshop will reinforce partnerships to increase preparedness capacities in the region and partners will agree recommendations to enhance disaster preparedness in the region and further adapt to COVID-19 circumstances.

Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Chief, UNDRR Regional Office for Africa and the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the consultant will undertake the following responsibilities:

• Mapping of ongoing projects funded by ECHO in the SAIO region, key activities and linkages with the national disaster management agencies
• Prepare a survey to identify good practices in the implementation of ECHO funded projects to be presented during the virtual ECHO and partners Regional Workshop on Disaster Preparedness in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (SAIO) in December 2021
• Propose inputs for the final agenda of the workshop based on the instructions provided by ECHO, the results of the survey with partners and ensuring balanced representation by organization, country and themes
• Organize working sessions with ECHO partners whose projects and experiences will be presented in the workshop in order to ensure coherence in the presentations and panels
• Elaborate the related concept notes and technical notes of the sessions, organize and facilitate the briefing sessions with the speakers of the different panels
• Coordinate with UNDRR team the setting up of the virtual platform (e.g. zoom set up) for the meeting (including breaking groups and other needed organizational details)
• Facilitate the workshop ensuring a participatory and dynamic approach

• Draft a report on the process to organize and facilitate the workshop, including recommendations to improve the design of similar workshops

  Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in geography, disaster risk management, international relations, sociology, anthropology or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in any of these fields, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: A minimum of five years of experience in disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, climate change adaptation or related field is required. Previous experience in facilitating participatory processes and workshops is desirable Language: Fluency in English and French are required. Knowledge of other UN Official languages spoken in the African Region 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.