National Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist



Job title: National Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist

Company: United Nations

Job description: Details:
Mission and objectives:
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 130 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 working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.
Context:
This assignment will be undertaken in the context of the European Union – Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) programme “Resilience building and Disaster Response Management in the Indian Ocean (RDRM-IO)”. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is an implementing partner of the component “Building Resilience and Improving Institutional Capacity in Indian Ocean Island States for Disaster Risk Reduction”. The 4-year initiative (2021-2025) aims to improve DRR understanding and governance capacities of the four island States – Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
Mauritius is a key country for the successful delivery of this Programme since it’s the host country of the Indian Ocean Commission, and also hosting the European Union delegation for Mauritius and Seychelles, funding this project. This position will be important also for coordinating with the Indian Ocean Commission.
In Mauritius the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Strategic Framework 2020-2030 has identified 41 potential hazards, including hydro-meteorological, environmental, biological, chemical, geological and technological hazards. However, data from 1960 to 2018 indicates that cyclones are the most prevalent disaster (41%) and the most destructive for the economy, followed by fires (2%), floods, flash floods and mud flows (9 %), and boat accidents (8%).
The law structuring Disaster Risk Reduction in the country is the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act (DRRM Act). The Act establishes an administrative framework for disaster risk reduction and disaster response with details on the declaration of the state of disaster (IDRL, 2020). It also establishes the institutions responsible for Disaster Risk Reduction and assigns roles and responsibilities for the effective management of disasters, from the national to the local level. These are:
– National DRRM Council or National Council (composition, objects, functions, powers, meetings). The National Council is instructed to formulate a national DRRM Policy.
– National DRRM Centre (NDRRMC) or National Centre (functions, governance). The National Centre is instructed to formulate a national DRRM Strategic Framework and Plan.
– Local DRRM Committee for every local authority (composition, meetings, functions).
– Local disaster management coordinators to liaise between the National Centre and local authorities.
This position will be based at the Resident Coordinator Office in Port Louis, Mauritius. The UNV will report to the Programme Management Officer at the Regional Office for Africa, under the overall supervision of the Deputy Chief of Office. He/She will further report to the Head of Resident Coordinator office to ensure close coordination with the national Disaster Risk Reduction stakeholders and with the Resident Coordinator Office activities related to DRR.
Task description:
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the PMO, the UN Volunteer National Disaster Risk Reduction expert will:
– Support project partners in conducting key informant interviews to assess the familiarity of disaster risk reduction (DRR) stakeholders with existing institutional arrangements in relation to (early warning systems (EWS), disaster law, financing for DRR etc.).
– Mobilize the key DRR stakeholders in relation to EWS, disaster law and financing for DRR, relying on formal coordination mechanisms such as the national DRR platforms.
– Support project partners in consulting with representatives from different sectors (e.g. tourism, agriculture, maritime security, civil society networks, private sector and other key DRR stakeholders) in order to identify the institutional preparedness and response procedures to be assessed.
– Support the organization of a regional workshop on DRR stakeholders’ roles and mechanisms to implement DRR strategies and plans.
– Liaise with the Ministry of Finance to collect budget data for the analysis of domestic and international resources available for DRR and climate change adaptation (CCA) and review the cost of disasters to Mauritius based on loss damage data.
– Support the review of government legal obligations to support prevention and mitigation as well as preparedness, response and recovery activities.
– Support project partners in the discussion of possible ways to institutionalize a system to monitor and track DRR and CCA investments over time.
– Consolidate loss databases and facilitate agreement on the use of such information for disaster management purposes, particularly in relation to preparedness.
– Attend United Nations Country Team meeting on behalf of UNDRR and ensure activities are coordinated with the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
– Participate in the inter-agency working groups such as the Result Groups, the MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning) to support monitoring of the UNSDCF implementation.
– Support project partners in field missions and capacity development training.
– Support report writing.
– Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, or other relevant programmes, at the national and/or international level;
– Previous engagement with government officials in Mauritius, and on event management, as well as experience working in the UN or other international development organization would be an advantage;
– Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
– Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
– Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency and interest in analysing data; MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
– Other languages spoken in the African context is an advantage.
Competencies and values:
– Professionalism
– Communication
– Planning and organising
– Creativity
Area(s) of expertise:

Required education level:
Bachelor degree or equivalent
Other information: Mauritius is a country situated in the Indian Ocean, and it covers approximately 1,865 square kilometers of coastline, almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs, with an undulating central plateau and jagged peaks scattered across the countryside. Port Louis is the capital of the island. Principal residential areas are Curepipe, Vacoas-Phoenix, Quatre Bornes, Beau Bassin, Rose-Hill and Floreal.
It has reasonable accommodation.
You can check the full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

Expected salary:

Location: Port Louis, Mauritius

Date posted: Thu, 08 Feb 2024 06:54:50 GMT

Apply!

×
powered by google

Contact Business

Captcha Code