Intern on disaster risk reduction mainstreaming in development planning and development of risk informed strategies

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UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

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TR Home-based; Türkiye

Application deadline 2 years ago: Tuesday 11 May 2021 at 23:59 UTC

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Contract

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Background

Three events of 2015—the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, adopted at the Third World Conference on Disaster Reduction, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, and the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)—have created new windows of opportunities for mainstreaming DRR in development.

The Sendai Framework has substantially expanded the scope of DRR to include natural hazards as well as humanmade and all related environmental, technological and biological hazards and risks. It has broadened the task of mainstreaming to include the private sector, cultural heritage and tourism. It has advocated an all-of-society and whole-of-government approach for DRR. It has set seven global targets of risk reduction to be achieved by 2030 and prescribed 91 activities for DRR at all levels, clustered within four priorities for action. Within the frame of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 following four Priorities for Action have been agreed:

  1. Understanding disaster risk
  2. Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk
  3. Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience
  4. Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that now replace the Millennium Development Goals. These goals, with 169 targets, cover every sector of development that concerns the economy, society and the environment. At least eight of the goals and their targets have elements of DRR and building resilience embedded within them. Reducing the risk of disasters across all these sectors is no longer a task of an agency responsible for DRM but of all sectors engaged in a society’s development.

The Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework on Climate Change has, for the first time ever, an article that “recognizes the importance of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including extreme weather events and slow onset events, and the role of sustainable development in reducing the risk of loss and damage”. The Paris Agreement has undertaken to enhance “understanding, action and support” in eight areas of DRR. These are early warning systems; emergency preparedness; slow-onset events; events that may involve irreversible and permanent loss and damage; comprehensive risk assessment and management; risk insurance facilities, climate risk pooling and other insurance solutions; non-economic losses; and resilience of communities, livelihoods and ecosystems.

Integration of DRR in development has particular importance in the ECIS region, with its unequal burden of disasters due to accumulated layers of hazards, vulnerabilities and risks. This existing complexity is further compounded by new drivers of risks, including climate change. The manner in which the region addresses the risk factors in all new investments in the public and private sectors and how it further mainstreams DRR into current and future policies, plans, programmes and projects will shape the outcome of the global development agenda over the next 10 years.

Also, in order to accelerate implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR, UNDP and UNDRR signed a Joint Statement of Intent, and identified key areas of collaboration, taking into consideration new opportunities to integrate DRR and climate adaptation in planning and decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main objective of the assignment is to provide daily support to UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub in management of the disaster risk reduction portfolio, DRR mainstreaming in development planning, development of risk informed strategies tailored for the countries in ECIS region and in implementation of UNDP/UNDRR workplan . The intern will work under the guidance and technical supervision of CC&DRR Team Leader of UNDP for ECIS. He/she will also work closely with the ECIS UNDP Country Offices.

Specific tasks are as follows:

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and the intern's assigned office as well as the internship period. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Consolidate best practices for systematic DRR mainstreaming in national development planning applicable for ECIS countries, as part of the partnership between UNDP and UNDRR.
  • Undertake research activities with a focus on DRR mainstreaming recommendations for development planning in key sectors (Social, Economic, Production and Infrastructure, Cross-cutting sectors).
  • Assist in other basic research i.e. collecting, analyzing and presenting statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources.
  • Conduct a research to collect and analyses the best practices (globally and in the region) in policy, legislation and institutional arrangements to follow up the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
  • Support the preparation of virtual DRR events in ECIS region, including joint event between UNDP and UNDRR.
  • Collaborate with research institutions and other stakeholders within the region to consolidate best practices of risk informed strategies and interventions.
  • Assist in projects planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of programme initiatives related to DRR.
  • Collaborate in the development of knowledge and communication products content and design.
  • Assist in the drafting of reports and organization of meetings.
  • Assist in preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
  • Assist in administrative and substantive support to meetings and conferences, preparation of background documents and presentations, handling logistics etc.
  • Perform other duties as directed by the Supervisor.

Competencies

  • Good communication and time management skills, ability to work in a team.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

(a) Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) in environmental science, disaster risk reduction, climate change or other relevant field.

(b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent); in in environmental science, disaster risk reduction, climate change or other relevant field.

(c) Have recently graduated with a university degree in in environmental science, disaster risk reduction, climate change or other relevant field; (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

  • Relevant professional experience in environment, climate change and/or disaster risk reduction would be a strong advantage.
  • Particularly knowledge of environment, climate change and DRR issues would be a strong advantage.

Language skills:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required for this assignment. Knowledge of Russian is an asse

Notes:

Financial Issues

Internships within the UN system are subject to conditions the applicant must get familiar with before signing his/her internship agreement.

Starting from January 2020 interns may receive stipends according to UN rules and regulations. Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.

Any further costs associated with the internship must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her arrangements for travel, accommodation and other costs.

Application procedure

The application should contain:

  • Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post;
  • Current and complete CV in English;

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Candidates who are selected for must submit prior to the interview the following documents:

  • Official document(s) confirming your education status stated in Section 4;
  • Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance.

UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity. It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents, and need to plan for these well in advance.

Subsequent Employment

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship. It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents and need to plan for these well in advance.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org