Result of Service

The consultancy will contribute to UNDRR Strategic Framework 2022-2025 Objective 3.3 on: Disaster Risk Reduction strengthened across the 2030 development agenda and key intergovernmental policy decisions.

Work Location

Home Based

Expected duration

6.5 months

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 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, UNDRR has around 140 staff located in its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNDRR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the international strategy for disaster reduction, now the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015-2030; 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 of all stakeholder groups in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as PreventionWeb, 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. Duties and Responsibilities The work proposed for the consultancy will contribute to the implementation of the “UN Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience: Towards a Risk informed and Integrated Approach to Sustainable Development” (hereafter: UN Plan of Action). The consultant will support the development of the 2023 progress report on the implementation of the UN Plan of Action. The in 2016 adopted “UN Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience: Towards a Risk informed and Integrated Approach to Sustainable Development” defines the support of the UN system towards the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) considering a risk-informed and integrated approach to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It addresses the need for coherence and re-enforcement of the UN's resilience building efforts to ensure that the UN system responds adequately to the different regional and country needs and contexts with regard to disaster risk reduction. As the focal point for DRR in the UN system, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) coordinates the UN-system-wide implementation of the Sendai Framework. The UN Plan of Action is one of the main tools for maximizing UN efforts to support countries in strengthening risk-informed development programming, planning and investment and ensure that no one is left behind. UNDRR chairs two global mechanisms that facilitate the implementation of the UN Plan of Action: (1) the high-level UN Senior Leadership Group on DRR for Resilience (UN SLG) that proposes priorities to accelerate the implementation of the UN Plan of Action; and (2) the technical level DRR Focal Points Group that supports the implementation of the UN SLG priorities in particular and the UN Plan of Action, in general. The UN Plan of Action is accompanied by a Results Framework, the accountability mechanism for the UN Plan of Action. To monitor progress, UN entities report annually on the basis of the Results Framework. UNDRR coordinates the preparation of the progress report on the implementation of the UN Plan of Action and engages UN entities in reviewing the draft and final version of the report. In an effort to streamline UN system reporting on disaster risk reduction, the UN Plan of Action progress reporting and the annual report of the UN Secretary-General on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction have been combined. The reporting documents therefore provide guidance on how to report on the UN Plan of Action and the UN system contribution to the UN Secretary-General report on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030. The consultant will assist UNDRR in developing the 2023 progress report of the UN Plan of Action, including: • Familiarize with relevant documents including previous Progress Reports on the Implementation of the UN Plan of Action, the UN Plan of Action Results Framework, the 2023 UN Plan of Action reporting template and guidance, UN SLG meeting reports and the 2030 UN SLG recommendations, and the related work plan. • Review and analyze the data received from UN entities reporting on the 2023 UN Plan of Action Results Framework indicators. • Follow-up with UN entities to ensure data quality and comprehension. • Compile all final data into one master file. • Consult with relevant partners at national, regional and global levels to develop at least three national and two regional impact stories on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and resilience building with focus on inter-agency coordination. • Conduct analysis of the integration of risk considerations into the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF) that have been finalized in 2023. • Review 2023 Country Progress reports that highlight the implementation of UNSDCF activities, to assess how disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and resilience building actions have been moved forward in 2023. • Prepare a draft progress report on the Implementation of the UN Plan of Action in close collaboration with UNDRR. • Incorporate an overview on how the 2030 UN SLG recommendations have been implemented. This includes progress on joint actions, case studies from individual UN entities and contributions. • Incorporate feedback received by UNDRR and the UN DRR Focal Points Group members on the draft report and finalize the progress report. • Provide relevant inputs to the 2024 UN SLG meeting as relevant. Assist in drafting and finalizing the meeting report. Prepare a 2-page summary that will be used for wide dissemination. • Review the copy-edited and graphic design version of the progress report ensuring that the text, tables and figures are properly reflected and provide feedback to the copy-editor and designer. • Develop updates for UNDRR/PreventionWeb webpages, material to be used during the international meetings, as well as inputs to relevant mechanisms. • Document challenges and lessons learned in the process of preparing the progress report.

Qualifications/special skills

Master's degree in International Relations, Economic Development, Development Studies, Social Science, International Development, Political Science, Business Administration or any other relevant field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with a minimum of 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, resilience building and/or development work at international level or another relevant field is required; Experience in analyzing data and report writing is required; Experience in conducting consultation processes is required; Good knowledge of UN development system or any other international organization development system is required; Experience in strategic policy analysis & drafting policy guidance is desired;

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge in French and/or Spanish 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.