Technical Advisor Disaster Preparedness

Consultant Finance & Economy

Overview

Provide technical and advisory support for disaster preparedness projects.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, National Resources Management, Disaster Risk Management, International Cooperation or related fields is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in disaster risk reduction, climate change or sustainable development related fields, of which at least 3 years involved project management or project coordination is required.
• Experience in working in a multicultural context is required.
• Fluency in Spanish and English is required.
• Working experience in DRR in the Americas and the Caribbean within UN system or any other similar international organization is desirable.
• Experience with Disaster preparedness funded by ECHO work in the region of the Americas and the Caribbean is desirable.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

1. Substantive technical and advisory support provided for the implementation of the project activities as per the respective project work plan. 2. National and regional partners are well informed about relevant disaster preparedness activities undertaken by UNDRR, ECHO and collaborating partners of this project. Regular coordination meetings and Disaster Preparedness workshops. 3. Ensure that project activities and outcomes, including relevant events, effectively integrate a gender perspective and elements of participation, inclusion and equity. 4. Support project reporting delivered as requested by UNDRR and by the donor. 5. Humanitarian & DRR nexus is integrated into the project and into the regional office work plan implementation (such as the regional Platform for DRR and Global Platform). 6. Increased inclusion and strategic positioning of UNDRR and related DRR actions in relevant spaces as a result of coordinated action through the UNDRR-ECHO project EU LAC MOU initiative. 7. Report on progress of the EU-LAC MOU, along with all relevant materials and annexes.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

01.08.25 - 31.03.26

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 efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. 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 by working with the 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. Through the ECHO regional project Scaling up the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction through disaster preparedness, risk knowledge, strategic coordination and key partnership engagement support, UNDRR provides technical support at national, subregional and regional level to countries to support the implementation of the Sendai Framework and the coordination of Disaster Preparedness (DP) actions. This project began in 2023 as a 24-month intervention, for which a Modification Request has been granted for which the new project finalization date is 31 March 2026. The Action focuses on the following 2 expected results: 1) Disaster preparedness knowledge and learning systematized and promoted between relevant stakeholders in LAC through the collection of best practices, lessons learnt and common challenges; and 2) Strengthen coordination and disaster risk knowledge for enhanced disaster preparedness and response at the national, subregional and regional level. The main activities to achieve these results include technical assistance, capacity-building, risk knowledge, multi actor coordination, strategic communication, and political advocacy to boost concrete results. The activities also include a gender, age and disability approach as identified in the Sendai Framework and as reflected in UNDRR's Work Programme but also in accordance with the United Nations and EU mandates and values. The EU-LAC Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a key agreement signed in May 2024 between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) focused on strengthening cooperation in disaster preparedness and risk management. This partnership involves intergovernmental organizations such as The Coordination Center for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America. It is a regional intergovernmental body that promotes disaster risk reduction among Central American countries. (CEPREDENAC) , the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and the General Secretariat of the Andean Community (SGCAN) and individual countries (Chile, Cuba, Mexico) from the LAC region. The MOU aims to improve joint efforts on disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and information sharing, while also fostering training opportunities. It aims to facilitate enhanced cooperation between the two regions on disaster risk management, including strengthened policy dialogue, exchange of experiences and good practices, knowledge sharing and coordination on joint initiatives and activities. Implementation since its formal adoption has included a number of regional events and meetings, technical trainings, high-level policy dialogues and advancements on disaster risk management initiatives. The consultant will be home-based and will be under the supervision of the Regional Early Warning for All Coordinator - Programme Manager Officer of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean (ROAC), in close collaboration with the Risk Knowledge Officer, Economic Affairs Officer and External Relations Officer. The consultant will engage other staff members of the Regional Office, especially from the administrative and communication units. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Support, through strategic and technical coordination and advice, the implementation of the project "Scaling up the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction through disaster preparedness, risk knowledge, strategic coordination and key partnership engagement support" financed by the European Commission Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) as well as other projects supporting disaster risk reduction integration into humanitarian action and disaster preparedness. This includes providing substantive technical and coordination support to the UNDRR-ECHO sub-regional focal points. 2. Support the implementation of the European Union – Latin American and Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding. 3. Provide technical support for the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of activities, including through the organization and coordination of consultative processes, liaising with local, national, and regional Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) stakeholders in the Latin Americas and the Caribbean (LAC) region. 4. Provide technical advice and ensure continuous communication and coordination with other project partners and relevant stakeholders, such as intergovernmental organizations, national and local governments and relevant ministries, humanitarian actors, civil society organizations, thematic networks such as the Caribbean Safe School Initiative (CSSI), the Science & Technology community and the Private Sector, among others as necessary. 5. Coordinate and support increased awareness and application of guidance and training materials on the Humanitarian Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) nexus by developing, reviewing, translating, and/or otherwise adapting relevant DRR governance documentation. 6. Support the organization of relevant coordination meetings among ECHO partners (regional, sub-regional and national levels), relevant disaster preparedness workshops and multi-stakeholder discussions, exchanges, and dialogues including the collection of documentation for disaster preparedness webpage and social media. 7. Support the organization and coordination of the ECHO development partners and other partners disaster preparedness thematic groups. This includes coordination and support to the thematic group lead entities as well as technical and operational support for the development of the periodic webinars and other reports and summaries. 8. Support project planning and monitoring and evaluation of advances regarding project activities, workplan, implementation, and delivery of outputs in accordance with donor guidelines. 9. Identify good practices and experiences for promotion and dissemination at local, national, and regional levels as well as provide inputs for effective communication and visibility outreach of the project in line with UNDRR and donor requirements. 10. If necessary and feasible, carry out missions related to the project events, implementation, and monitoring, as necessary and agreed with UNDRR ROAMC. 11. In coordination with the UNDRR ROAC External Affairs Officer, Communication Officer and other staff and consultants as required, ensure appropriate communication and visibility conducted in accordance with donor guidelines. 12. Liaison with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other relevant humanitarian and development partners for increasing inclusion of DRR concepts and knowledge in regional actions. 13. Coordinate with UNDRR ROAC project manager and other UNDRR colleagues at regional and headquarters level as necessary. 14. Support other activities such as the Regional Platform and Global Platform for DRR to provide technical guidance on disaster preparedness and humanitarian nexus. 15. Ensure fluid and effective coordination, communication and regular updates on project progress to donor, supervisor and other UNDRR staff and partners to ensure coordination and maximization of different actions. 16. Communicate to the supervisor in a timely and ongoing manner to ensure remedial actions are taken as relevant and warranted.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, National Resources Management, Disaster Risk Management, International Cooperation or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience in regional programme coordination, disaster risk reduction, climate change, and/or sustainable development may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in disaster risk reduction, climate change or sustainable development related fields, of which at least 3 years involved project management or project coordination is required Experience in working in a multicultural context is required. Working experience in DRR in the Americas and the Caribbean within UN system or any other similar international organization is desirable. Experience with Disaster preparedness funded by ECHO work in the region of the Americas and the Caribbean is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy fluency in Spanish and English is required.

Additional Information

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. UNDRR values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women, men, and people with disabilities.

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.

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Added 10 days ago - Updated 7 hours ago - Source: careers.un.org