Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction Technical Advisor - Senior Analyst

Result of Service Enhanced partnerships and technical capacities to scale up Eco-DRR implementation. Eco-DRR project deliverables are met.

Work Location Geneva

Expected duration 6 mths initially

Duties and Responsibilities 1 Purpose (justification for request) The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries including those in crisis-affected situations. This post is located in Disasters and Conflicts Branch, Ecosystems Division and reports to the Head of the Branch.

Working within Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), UNEP seeks to integrate environmental considerations in climate and disaster risk reduction and resilience efforts and implement integrated environmental management and disaster risk reduction solutions, including Nature-based Solutions for enhancing climate adaptation and disaster resilience. UNEP works to mainstream and scale up climate and environmental actions as part of a multi-hazard, integrated risk management approach to reducing disaster and climate risks. This includes addressing both climate and non-climatic drivers of risk and reducing underlying vulnerabilities to disasters and climate change. While the focus of UNEP’s work is on disaster prevention, it is also evolving its risk management approach to include mainstreaming of climate and environmental sustainability in disaster preparedness for enhancing resilience in humanitarian response and early recovery.

This work includes promoting and upscaling Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaptation (Eco-DRR), an integrated approach to promoting both sustainable and resilient development. UNEP is implementing an EC-funded global project entitled “Up-scaling Community Resilience through Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction”. This Project aims to meet the growing demand from countries and communities to enhance resilience to disasters and climate risks and address the limited or lack of technical expertise for scaling-up Eco-DRR implementation. It raises public and private sector awareness and mainstream Eco-DRR as part of institutional practices and programs and ensure that gender considerations are included in all training materials. By doing so, the Project aims to catalyze increased public and private sector investments in Eco-DRR and raise awareness for the special role of women as agents of change. In addition, this programme aims at creating greater expertise at the regional scale, to ensure more sustainable project outcomes. The final objective is to scale-up Eco-DRR interventions at national, regional, and global levels and advance implementation of the 2030 International Sustainable Development Agency and Eco-DRR related global policy agreements. The project has developed different “models” for achieving and demonstrating how Eco-DRR/Eco-systems-based approach (EbA) can be up-scaled, namely through: - Leveraging large-scale national development and/or risk reduction programs to mainstream Eco-DRR principles and approaches in their program design and implementation, and thus demonstrating how Eco-DRR implementation can be achieved through such large-scale national programs or initiatives (Output 1); - Demonstrating models for scaling up community based Eco-DRR which will involve field level implementation across selected landscapes in 5 countries (Output 2); - Mainstreaming Eco-DRR approaches and practices into local, national, and global institutions implementing DRR, development and biodiversity programs as well as in private sector investments (Output 3).

An international consultant with Eco-DRR/EbA technical expertise and project management experience is required to support implementation of the Eco-DRR project, particularly in providing technical backstopping, and advancing Output 3: Mainstreaming, and in providing reporting and coordination support to the project manager. The consultant will develop and lead trainings and organise webinars to support awareness raising and capacity building in Eco-DRR, targeted to different sectors (academia, private sector, wetland mangers etc.). Moreover, the consultant is expected to support with project monitoring and reporting, and with partnership development, including developing new concepts for collaboration. The consultancy is full-time, Geneva-based for six months, with possibility of renewal depending on performance.

Objectives, specific tasks and responsibilities Objectives, output expectations - Support the Project Manager in effectively manage and implement project outputs and activities to achieve outcomes - Provides project management support in coordination, reporting, preparing speaking points, briefs, case studies etc. - Technical review and contribution to all project outputs and deliverable produced under the project, and Review and ensure technical soundness and cost effectiveness of project activities; - Coordinates policy development and engagements; reviews the assessments of issues and trends, and identifies and guides strategic policy engagements to maximize UNEP/UN influence and visibility, particularly in the area of promoting Eco-DRR/ nature-based solutions (NBS) for climate and disaster resilience; - Undertakes various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. - Documentation of best practices for showcasing with financing partners and for upscaling - Supports in developing new projects by identifying and developing new concepts/proposals for resource mobilization - Organizes events/webinars/trainings related to global outreach, awareness raising and capacity building in promoting and implementing Eco-DRR; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.

Deliverables - -Develop and deliver global webinars and in-person trainings - Webinar series organized for representatives of private sector actors on Eco-DRR for private sector (Output indicator 3.9) March-April - At least two trainings are delivered to reach 200 Wetland/Protected Area managers and Ramsar/CBD/DRR focal points with enhanced knowledge (Output indicator 3.6), with documentation completed (training agenda, list of participants, training materials/ppt, report). - April-June

• A global ToT delivered targeting 50 universities/ training institutions whose representatives have enhanced knowledge (Output indicator 3.7) May

Planning and preparations will include: - Initiate and coordinate planning preparations of regional trainings including development of course programme and liaising with experts in content development and revisions, as needed - Reach out to partners on the ground to partner/support with the on-site trainings - Design group work exercises, in collaboration with experts, and facilitate delivery - Provide logistics and facilitation support - Prepare/finalize training materials being developed by experts - Develop and conduct training evaluations survey pre- and post-training - Develop/prepare Workshop Documentation Reports February to June

Project management support and Reporting - Support the project manager with overall coordination of the project as needed, particularly during his absence from office - February-July - Documentation for all deliverables under Output 3 is updated monthly on MS Teams folder - February-July

• Prepare briefs and speaking points on the project as needed February-July
• Contribute to EC mid-year reporting March - April
• Compile all annual reports into an end of the project report June
• Contribute to PIMS biannual reporting June

Partnership Development - Support the DRR unit in conducted research and developing new partnerships and project concepts and proposals for upscaling Eco-DRR; at least one new partnership / collaboration is developed February to July

Qualifications/special skills A relevant postgraduate degree in environment, ecosystem restoration, disaster risk management, international affairs, or a related discipline. At least 7 years’ experience in conducting research, technical writing, leading trainings, workshop facilitation, project monitoring and reporting, and partnership development in the field of environment, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation or other related fields.

Languages English fluency is required; other languages, such as French or Spanish, 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.