Critical Infrastructure Resilience Expert - Ghana

Result of Service - Inception report with detailed workplan and methodology proposed for the deliverables. - Stress testing of critical infrastructure in Ghana is conducted with relevant national stakeholders. - Implementation plan for the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure in Ghana provided. - Policy and investment recommendations are developed and communicated. - Overall resilience of critical infrastructure in Ghana is improved.

Work Location Ghana

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities Background: 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 disaster risk and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations. This consultancy supports the implementation of UNDRR's engagement in the infrastructure resilience sector through assisting in the development of policy guidance materials and knowledge products of relevance to the objectives of UNDRR. 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 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. UNDRR further scaled-up focus on the topic following the GP 2017 Declaration. This momentum was further strengthened with the launch of Coalition for Disaster Risk Reduction at the SG's Climate Summit in 2019. UNDRR was a founding member of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and currently supports its efforts throughout.

Duties and Responsibilities: In an effort to address resilience of countries and communities against disaster risks and climate change impacts, UNDRR will support countries in implementing the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure and conduct infrastructure resilience stress testing at the national level to support national governments in assessing the level of resilience in infrastructure and its related services and thus help them take better policy and investment decisions. The consultant, in coordination with other relevant expert(s), will support the implementation of the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure and conduct resilient infrastructure stress testing, including developing policy and investment recommendations based on the results of the principles and stress test.

This effort will include: a. Research and analysis of current existing policies, risk assessment practices, and activities around resilience of critical infrastructure at the national level; b. Coordinate local stakeholder process, including consultations with governmental representatives and infrastructure stakeholders to best identify needs and requirements; c. Conduct table-top exercises, data collection and running the resilient infrastructure stress test. d. Develop implementation plan for key actions of the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure. e. Collect and analyse data of Key Performance Indicator (KPIs)s for baseline assessment and monitoring of the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure implementation. f. Draft policy recommendations based on the findings from the stress testing and Principles implementation. g. Organize multiple workshops, related to the assessment of the current state of infrastructure including findings from the UNDRR Resilient Infrastructure Stress Test, and development of recommendations based stress testing and the implementation plan for the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure.

Qualifications/special skills Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, civil engineering, architecture, urban planning, infrastructure resilience, environmental sciences, disaster management, 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 of working experience in the field of infrastructure resilience, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, or related areas is required. Experience in engaging with and coordinating stakeholders in a political setting is desirable. Knowledge of policy processes around infrastructure management in Ghana is desirable.

Languages Fluency in written and spoken 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.