Specialist on Local Resilience Building Ukraine (2 consultants)

Result of Service Contribution to strengthening understanding and strategic frameworks for local resilience building across cities supported by the activity, enhancing the involvement of and support to Ukrainian cities through the MCR2030 initiative, and contributing to long-term resilience building of local authorities in Ukraine.

Work Location Ukraine

Expected duration 01/10 to 01/03/2023

Duties and Responsibilities Background information 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 disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional. 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 catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk.

Resilience to disasters at a local level is a priority of the Sendai Framework and is embedded in the broader 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda (SDG 11). Local level resilience relies on cities understanding the disaster risks faced, to mitigate those risks, and to respond to disasters that may occur so that immediate and longer-term loss of life or damage to livelihoods, property, infrastructure, economic activity and the environment is minimized.

Cities are on the frontline of crises, particularly so in a complex risk landscape such as we see today in Ukraine and the broader region. Local risk governance and the resilience of urban systems need to be strengthened in a proactive way, as part of the recovery effort and in preparing for longer-term resilience needs.

UNDRR implements the Making Cities Resilient 2030 initiative (MCR2030), which is active in the Europe and Central Asia region involving over 170 member cities and 11 Resilience Hubs in strengthening local and urban resilience across cities and regions. UNDRR aims to work directly with local-level authorities and communities in Ukraine and neighboring countries to understand and better manage their risks. Making full use of available disaster risk data and networks of relevant partners and MCR2030 Resilience Hubs, cities from Ukraine and other parts of the region can engage in a network providing support to cities in strengthening their capacity to adapt to climate change and a complex risk environment, in developing strategic frameworks and plans for resilience, and in implementing and financing risk actions to support long-term resilience priorities.

To do this, UNDRR, through the MCR2030 and its network of Resilience Hubs and key regional partners, will work with targeted cities on a needs-based approach to to run baseline resilience assessments using the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for cities. In addition, as part of the technical support available through MCR2030, engaged cities in Ukraine and the region will also benefit from expertise through peer learning and support opportunities involving MCR2030 partners in the region (ICLEI Europe, etc.). This technical expertise, connecting multiple layers of government, will further support the development and implementation of local DRR and resilience strategies.

Mission and objectives: UNDRR aims to support the resilience building efforts in Ukraine in view of accelerating the implementation of the Sendai Framework in country, at both national and local level. At a local level, this mission is channeled through the Making Cities Resilient 2030 initiative and will aim to support up to 4 cities against the MCR2030 resilience roadmap through the implementation of the MCR2030 offer.

Main responsibilities: Under the authority of the Project Manager coordinating project activities in Ukraine at the UNDRR Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, in coordination with the UN country team and Resident Coordinator’s Office in Ukraine, and in line with the restrictions and security situation in the region, the incumbent will organize and facilitate the implementation of the assessment by the cities of their resilience to climate change and disaster risk (the focus of this exercise should focus on cities in Western Ukraine not directly impacted by the war, and stay within the scope of disaster risk stipulated by the Sendai Framework for DRR ). The incumbent will facilitate and accompany the implementation of the assessment using the methodology of the preliminary Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities and, where relevant, applicable addenda of the Scorecard methodology. The incumbent will support the analysis and the recommendations based on the findings of the resilience assessment, and support drafting of reports laying out recommendations for the development of plans of action for strengthening local climate resilience and recovery, with timelines, responsible units, and expected results.

With the support of UNDRR, the incumbent will coordinate the exchange with Mayor's offices, groups of experts representing departments, services and units and other entities involved in the assessment and development of strategic documents (including international partners active on the ground). This task will entail, where and when possible, considering the uncertain evolution of the situation, workshops and individual meetings, to ensure a comprehensive development process. Any in country mission would have to comply with security risk measures in place at that time.

Qualifications/special skills Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in urban planning, environmental sciences, public administration, social sciences, or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with at least two 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 urban resilience, urban planning, disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, environmental planning, or related areas is required. Experience in working on biological hazards and resilience of health systems is an asset.

Languages Fluency in written and spoken English is required; Knowledge of written and spoken Ukrainian is desirable.

Additional Information Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

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.