Disaster Risk Reduction Junior Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Youth contracts.

Development losses caused by disasters as well as population and GDP exposure to hazards are continuously being increased in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The country is exposed to various hazards, with most common ones being earthquakes, floods, droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, landslides and man-made hazards with climate change forecasts predicting an acceleration of extreme weather phenomena. Numerous challenges the country faced after the war, combined with political deadlocks and weak economic situation, resulted in disaster risks being at the bottom of priorities. This lead not only to weak general capacities but also to unabsorbing of improvements and new approaches in dealing with disaster risks. Overlooking of contemporary understanding of disaster risk reduction (DRR), which teaches that disasters are a result of poor development decisions and cannot be solved by civil protection alone, contributed to creation of additional disaster risks. Today, disasters in the country range from high-frequency small disasters to devastating events such as May 2014 floods that caused total of 2 billion EUR losses and damages. To deal with these, every-day more complex disasters, the country needs full implementation of understanding that development efforts have to be disaster proof and climate smart. DRR sector in the country requires a strategic roadmap and actions strengthened with new tools and approaches moving away from business as usual.

To address these challenges UNDP BiH is implementing various DRR projects and initiatives that are strengthening DRR capacities at all government levels. This is done by putting in place legal and policy frameworks and implementation of disaster and climate risk management measures.

Current initiative, Joint Swiss-UN Programme “Reducing Disaster Risk for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina” aims to address key priorities in DRR identified by local authorities and various actors in the sectors of pr

Under the direct supervision of Disaster Risk Reduction Project Manager, the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Contribute to the contextualization of DRR initiatives in BiH

Assist in the identification and updating of governmental policies, strategies, plans and programmes that have great potential for DRR mainstreaming; 


Assist in the identification of and liaison with key stakeholders who can contribute to broadening and deepening the DRR agenda in the country; 


Undertake field visits for specific data collection and/or implementation of programme activities. 

Contribute to capacity development on DRR at all levels in BiH

Supports successful implementation of the UNDP DRR projects’ activities and sub-activities; 









Support the organisation and facilitation of DRR events at various levels;  


Assist in developing thematic approaches to DRR in collaboration with relevant UN agencies and national stakeholders; 


Contribute to identifying and addressing gaps that would need to be addressed in order to promote a culture of emergency preparedness and enhance response readiness; 

Contribute to inter-agency collaboration in the field of DR

Support the facilitation of DRR coordination events (meetings/study tours) at various levels; 









Support knowledge building and management across agencies, sectors and institutions; 


Contribute to establish and maintain relevant databases that provides information in the field of DRR. 

Provide administrative and logistical support

Provide administrative and logistical support to the organisation of meetings, workshops, conferences and field trips; 


Draft routine correspondence and reports based upon oral instructions, previous correspondence or other available information sources in accordance with standard office procedures. 

, Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Client Orientation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Working in Teams

        Basic knowledge of disaster risk reduction (DRR), development and/or emergency programming; 


        Preferably at least 1 years’ experience from working within result-oriented teams; preferably with international colleagues; 









        Experience in provision of administrative and logistical support and organization of workshops; 


        Experience in research, analysis and report writing; 


        Experience in working with government officials and non-governmental organizations; 


        Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office software package (MS Word, Excel, Access etc.); 


        Familiarity with the UN system, rules and procedures is an advantage; 









        Knowledge and experience in volunteering, and willingness to learn about volunteering. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is generally calm; risk to staff working for UN is assessed as low. Nevertheless, BiH has the same security challenges as other European countries, ranging from crime to traffic accidents, armed robberies and car thefts, and sporadic serious incidents.

Taxis are safe and inexpensive; however, one needs to make sure of using properly licensed taxi. BiH still has active minefields/unexploded ordnance areas. Always stay on well-travelled routes, especially in the countryside. Common warning signs are: red triangle, skull and bones, yellow striped tape or even a simple string. Never go beyond these signs. Useful telephone numbers: Police # 122; Emergency Hospital # 124; Fire Brigade # 123.

Living conditions are the same as in any other European countries.