Technical support to stress test infrastructure resilience in Sri Lanka

Result of Service Expected Deliverables:

The key deliverables for this consultancy assignment, to be delivered in partnership with the Partnerships Branch of UNDRR, are as follows:

• Data collection, research and analysis by end of April 2022;
• Support initial high-level consultation second half of April;
• Support coordinating technical experts meetings and conducting table-top exercises to run Tier 1 of the stress test by the first week of May 2022;
• Support analysis of the results of Tier 1 by mid-May 2022;
• Support coordinating the technical and political process around running Tier 2 of the stress test - May 2022;
• Support conducting Tier 2 with national stakeholders by end of July 2022;

• Support in analyzing the results of Tier 2 and in drafting policy recommendations to the Government of Sri Lanka on how to improve the resilience of identifies infrastructure sectors based on the results of Tier 1 and Tier 2 stress tests by the end of August 2022.

  Work Location Home based

  Expected duration Five (5) months. An extension of the contract to support the implementation of the next phase of the project is possible, pending funding availability.

  Duties and Responsibilities Org. Setting

UNDRR was established in 1999 as a dedicated secretariat to facilitate the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR). It is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly resolution (56/195), to serve as the focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations system and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Upon the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 by all UN member states in March 2015, UNDRR was tasked by the UN General Assembly to support the implementation, follow-up and review of the Framework. As a part of its normative mandate, UNDRR is supporting countries, in particular in least developed and small island countries, in the development, implementation and monitoring of progress of national and local disaster risk reduction strategies. UNDRR thereby focuses particularly on ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach to disaster risk reduction, in raising awareness and engaging representatives of all relevant stakeholder groups in the strategy discussions.

Background and Context

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 disaster risk and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations.

This consultancy supports the implementation of UNDRR's engagement in the infrastructure resilience sector through assisting in the development of policy guidance materials and knowledge products of relevance to the objectives of UNDRR. Since its establishment UNDRR has advocated for and supported a wide variety of stakeholders to understand the importance of resilient infrastructure, particularly critical infrastructure, and supported efforts to increase investments in resilient infrastructure globally. With the adoption of the Sendai Framework in 2015, UNDRR increased emphasis on the topic, as one of the seven global targets measures reductions in damage to critical infrastructure through building resilience. UNDRR further scaled-up focus on the topic following the GP 2017 Declaration. This momentum was further strengthened with the launch of Coalition for Disaster Risk Reduction at the SG's Climate Summit in 2019. UNDRR was a founding member of CDRI and currently supports its efforts throughout.

Responsibilities

In an effort to address resilience of countries and communities against disaster risks and climate change impacts, UNDRR will conduct infrastructure resilience stress tests at the national level, which will support national governments in assessing the level of resilience in infrastructure and its related services and thus help them take better policy and investment decisions.

The consultant, in coordination with other relevant expert(s), will support in conducting the stress test, and in developing policy and investment recommendations based on the results of the stress test.

This effort will include:

a. Research and analysis of current existing policies, risk assessment practices, and activities around resilience of critical infrastructure at the national level; b. Support consultations with governmental representatives and infrastructure stakeholders to best identify needs and requirements; c. Support in coordinating a local stakeholder process and expert-level meetings; d. Support in conducting table-top exercises, data collection and running the resilient infrastructure stress test. e. Support in translating the results of the stress test into actual policy and investment recommendations.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree in civil engineering, architecture, urban planning, infrastructure resilience, environmental sciences, disaster management, or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with a minimum of 2 years additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: - A minimum of two years of working experience in the field of infrastructure resilience, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, or related areas is required. - Experience in engaging with and coordinating stakeholders in a political setting is highly desirable.

Special skills: Knowledge of policy processes around infrastructure management in Sri Lanka is highly desirable.

Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of Sri Lanka official languages is an asset.

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.