Consultant (Disaster risk reduction coordination section)

ISDR/C/31/2012

United Nations Core Values:

Integrity  Professionalism  Respect for diversity

A. Background
Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is the designated 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 and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNISDR has around 100 staff located in its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNISDR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action; campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people's lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as Prevention Web, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the organisation of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

National Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction are nationally-owned and led mechanisms aimed at promoting an effective multi-stakeholder coordination and implementation of disaster risk reduction at the national level. UNISDR has been strongly advocating with national governments for the establishment of National Platforms since 2000 to ensure a fully participatory and consultative process among key national stakeholders involved in disaster risk reduction so to better guide Governments in building disaster-resilient communities and nations.

B. Context

As at May 2011, 81 National Platforms for disaster risk reduction had been officially designated by their national governments and acknowledged by UNISDR. In his Report to the 66th Session of the General Assembly, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban-ki Moon declared that: “Multi-stakeholder national platforms for disaster risk reduction have represented an important model and potential source for guidance for informed decision-making and awareness. However, their potential has not been fully utilized and there is a need to further review how can they best support domestic decision making and international cooperation” (A/66/301, Report of the Secretary General on the “Implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction“, 12. August 2011, page 5, paragraph 11)

The Mid-term Review of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) recognized that “National Platforms can be an important element of national institutional mechanisms for disaster risk reduction, but the composition and focus of National Platforms vary widely, depending on how they have developed in different country contexts. For example, the participation of civil society and the private sector varies greatly across countries.” (Chapter 5, p 58). The Advisory Group to the HFA Mid-Term review more particularly encouraged National Platforms to evolve significantly in the coming years, improving their abilities to bridge and multiply synergies at the national level, as well as between the national and local levels. They also indicated that time was ripe for a comprehensive discussion on the role and function of National Platforms, and for possible new guidance on effective national consultative and decision-making mechanisms for disaster reduction at the national level.” (Chapter 5, p. 59)

In response to the Secretary General’s call to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction to “launch a process jointly with national mechanisms to capture national experiences and ensure that a viable model for disaster risk reduction promotion can be established to contribute to optimal risk management”, a global Review of the Capacity of National Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction was launched by the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction in May 2012 inviting interested National Platforms to contribute to the evaluation process. A Working Group was set up to lead the process and several regional consultations with National Platforms took place on the occasion of Regional Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction in Europe, Asia and the Americas. A continuous flow of submissions is being received through the on-line questionnaire. They will be compiled into a report with a substantive analysis and the definition of key strategic policy recommendations aimed at enhancing National Platforms’ capacity, role and recognition n disaster risk reduction at the national and local levels. The report and strategic recommendations will be submitted to the 2013 Global Platform (19-23 May 2013, Geneva). They will also serve as an informal contribution of National Platforms to the post-2015 Framework negotiations and will play a crucial role in (re-)defining National Platforms’ expectations, role and mandate beyond 2015 as appropriate.

C. Tasks

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Chief of the Disaster Risk Reduction Coordination Section and in direct contact with the Responsible Programme Officer for the National Platform Review. He / she will be responsible for the following tasks:

I. Build on the National Platforms’ submissions to the on-line questionnaire as well as existing outcomes of regional analyses of National Platforms (Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia) to extract key messages, trends and policy recommendations emerging from the Review process
II. Work closely with the Review Working Group members to define the strategic scope and structure of the Review Outcome Report to be submitted to the Fourth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (19-23 May 2013, Geneva).
III. Actively consult, seek views, comments and recommendations from the Working Group and Reference Group members to produce a quality report on the Outcome of the Global Review of the Capacity of National Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction
IV. Support the finalization of the report through editing, addition of relevant annexes and basic design.
V. Travel to relevant meetings with National Platforms as required.

D. Outputs

The consultant will submit the following deliverables:
1. Analytical report on the Outcome of the Global Review of the Capacity of National Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction comprising of strategic policy recommendations and building on the structure and process defined in consultation with Working group members.

Competencies:

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to disaster risk reduction or related fields. Proven analytical skills in carrying out literature reviews and data analyses.

Qualifications:

Education

Advanced degree in disaster risk management and reduction, economics, natural resource management, environmental studies or other related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work experience

A minimum of seven years relevant work experience in Research and Analysis, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, development planning. Previous experience of data analysis, research and working on National Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction. Familiarity with the UNISDR system and multi-stakeholder cooperation in disaster risk reduction at the national and local levels an asset.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of Spanish and French an advantage.

Other desirable skills

Excellent computer skills (word-processing, spread sheets for chart and data analysis).