Disaster Risk Assessment Expert

Result of Service The following results are expected from the consultancy: - Smooth implementation of the CREWS project activities in particular the operationalization of the situation room at ICPAC and the enhancing knowledge exchange between national entities on good practices in early warning systems in Member states - The establishment of impact-based early warning systems both at regional and national levels.

Work Location Nairobi, KENYA

Expected duration 11 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 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 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 catalyses action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.

UNDRR is working with African Union Commission (AUC), African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States and other partners to mobilize resources for the establishment of Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) supported by the Government of Italy under the project entitled "Establishment of the impact-based early warning for early action and trans-boundary risk management function of the African Union". The initiative aims at building the capacity of the African Union Commission, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), African Centre of Meteorological Application for Development (ACMAD), Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Member States to effectively collect, exchange and analyse risk information relevant to impact based Early Warning Systems (EWS) for Early Action and Trans-boundary Risk Management.

Furthermore, UNDRR is partnering with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and World Bank/Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) for the implementation of the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative in Horn of Africa region under the “Greater Horn of Africa – Strengthening early warning and early action systems for meteorological, hydrological and climate extremes” Project. Among other objectives, the project aims at supporting the operationalization of the situation room at IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) and enhancing knowledge exchange between national entities on good practices in early warning systems. The project also supports the strengthening of transboundary collaboration through joint training. Experts from national entities will be supported on joint training activities on topics that include severe weather forecasting, data management, and flood forecasting.

Duties and Responsibilities: The Disaster Risk Management/ Early Warning Systems (DRM-EWS) Expert will be attached to ICPAC and will work under the supervision of the IGAD’s Disaster Risk Management Programme coordinator to undertake all the project activities related to regional hazard and risk assessment and the implementation of the CREWS activities in particular the operationalization of the situation room at ICPAC and the enhancing knowledge exchange between national entities on good practices in early warning systems in Member states. More specifically, the DRM-EWS Expert will lead the regional and national capacity development trainings for Member States to develop spatial and non-spatial baseline data for disaster risk assessment, support the establishment of impact-based early warning systems both at regional and national levels. Furthermore, the DRM-EWS Expert will work closely with AUC, UNDRR and other key partners to support the regional implementation of the Sendai Framework Monitor (SFM) in close consultation with the DRM focal institutions of Member States, including in the Context of Transboundary Risk Management, in close consultation with the DRM focal institutions of Member States. The duties and responsibilities of the DRM-EWS Expert are aligned with the four components of an Impact-based EWS:

1. Risk Knowledge i. Support IGAD/ICPAC and more specifically the DRM program in the development of hazard, vulnerability, and risk assessment products at regional and national levels. ii. Support/Lead the scientific and technical processes and approaches of data acquisition, data rescue and data sharing in support of risk knowledge and EWS at ICPAC and in IGAD member states

2. Monitoring and Warning i. Work closely with DRM focal institutions of member states in seasonal and monthly hazards, hazard modelling and forecasting and risk information identification, monitoring, and early warning ii. Undertake a baseline survey of the status of hazard monitoring and multi-hazard early warning systems at ICPAC and in IGAD member states and provide technical support towards the achievement of target G of the Sendai Framework (early warning and risk information). iii. Coordinate and lead trainings for member states on the use of Earth Observation (EO) and geospatial technologies to develop/strengthen baseline data for hazard monitoring and forecast.

3. Warning dissemination and communication i. Contribute to the generation and dissemination of the regional hazard early warning information through, inter alia, Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forums, existing products, and portals/tools at ICPAC. ii. Review/Develop EWS Protocol and policies of IGAD and support members states in the establishment and deployment of EWS coordination structure in their respective countries. iii. Produce and disseminate warning alerts in the IGAD region to enhance early response and anticipatory actions iv. Promote the standardization of alerts for different hazards and harmonization of key messages in member states v. Prepare and document best-practice guidelines on increasing access to early warning services by the people most at risk. While this may reflect gender issues, it should also address factors that include poverty, education gaps, access to mobile communications, urban-rural divisions, minority ethnic groups and languages, and people with disabilities.

4. Response capability i. Supervise and provide guidance to the further development of regional road map on Anticipatory Actions ii. Identify resources and training which would strengthen the capacity of IGAD and that of member states to effectively operate an Impact-based EWS iii. Promote strategies for the engagement of member states in support of regional Early warning Systems iv. Develop mechanism, training and protocols that strengthen transboundary collaboration, coordination and dissemination of warnings and response for events that are likely to cross national boarders.

Reporting: The DRM-EWS Expert will regularly coordinate with the ICPAC and DRM Programme Coordinator and DRM Programme Coordinator and report to the UNDRR Project manager.

Qualifications/special skills Advanced university degree in areas relevant to Disaster Risk Assessment, Spatial Science with training on Early warning/ early action or very related fields is required. Bachelor's degree with additional two years of professional working experience is acceptable in leu of the Advanced University degree. - At least 5 years of experiences in the areas of disaster risk assessment, hazard mapping and spatial analysis or related field is required. - Proven track record and experience with Early warning/ Early action (or Anticipatory actions), including being familiar with hazard (flood, drought, etc) assessment and mapping, vulnerability assessment and weather forecast and monitoring is required. - Extensive experience in preparing training modules, planning and conducting software-based trainings on hazard modelling and mapping, vulnerability and risk assessments is desirable.

• Experience of leading or contributing to strategy development is an added advantage.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French will be an added advantage.

  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.