Вакансія – Technical advisor on Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Management

In the face of disasters, societies everywhere are experiencing conditions of increasing vulnerability and enormous losses in social, environmental and economic terms. In 2017 climate-related disasters and extreme weather events in the EU caused 6.7 billion EUR of economic damages (over 100 billion USD worldwide). At the same time, in 2017 only 1% of climate-related risks in the EU were insured (EEA, 2019). In Ukraine, direct and indirect economic losses caused by wildfires range from 3 billion UAH to 8 billion UAH annually (DSNS, 2018). At the same time, the annual economic losses in Ukraine resulting from floods just in Zakarpattia oblast varying between 150 million UAH and 800 million UAH.

UNDP’s programmatic response is based on Country Office’s interventions so far and on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030 and its identified priorities: (i) Understanding disaster risk; (ii) Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk; (iii) Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience; (iv)  Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Forward Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. 

The Sendai Framework calls for a broader and a more people-centered preventive approach to disaster risk. According to the Framework, Governments should engage with relevant stakeholders, including women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, and other groups in the design and implementation of policies, plans and standards. Disaster Risk Reduction practices need to be multisectoral, based on the multi-hazard risk assessments, inclusive and accessible to ensure efficacy and effectiveness of the related measures.

To achieve transformational change the Programme will focus its activities to ensure that necessary capacities and institutional mechanisms are achieved at the national and oblast levels, while ensuring impact at the community level:

• Output 1. National government has improved policy frameworks and plans for Disaster Risk Management, coherent with Climate Change Adaptation policies that respond to the needs of women and men from diverse groups, especially the most vulnerable.
• Output 2. National and local authorities have capacities to integrate and implement gender-responsive DRR measures.
• Output 3. Target communities, including the most vulnerable, have necessary capacity, knowledge tools and financing mechanisms to build resilience, and to prevent and better recover from natural disasters based on the principle of leaving no one behind.

While not a formal output, a key task of the project team is to mobilize resources for scaling up of the project, and to deliver outputs related to DRR that are being developed in other projects in the portfolio.

In this context, UNDP is recruiting a professional with relevant experience and track record for the position of a Technical Advisor, who will support the team as technical focal point on Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the Project Manager in liaison with Policy and Legal Expert and under overall supervision of Energy and Environment Portfolio Team Leader, the incumbent will be responsible for:

• Serve for the Project as the key technical focal point on Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Management
• Serve as the key contributor into technical consultation process with project stakeholders as the State Emergency Service, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, and the regional administrations
• Provide technical input in the design and implementation of an area disaster risk assessment (ADRA)
• Provide analysis of project inputs on policy & legal approximation with international frameworks; gender; human rights; climate finance vis-à-vis the civil protection specificities and provide recommendations for their better, most feasible and effective integration into the national civil protection structures and processes
• Conduct assessment of needs and knowledge/practice gaps in the National Disaster Risk Reduction Platform under SFDRR, including the network of emergency management/ coordination centres, draft and then summarize recommendations for addressing those
• Conduct a rapid vulnerability assessment for the communities selected under the Project
• Based on the recommendations, provide technical input into the drafting and review of emergency preparedness plans for the target communities, integrating CCA and incorporating the recommendations on gender and human rights aspects; policy & legal alignment with international frameworks and good practice as well as innovative financing and technology aspects
• Provide technical input for the development and implementation of training programmes for Civil Protection and DRM practitioners, and public officials
• Provide technical input in the design and implementation of DRR information systems, community early warning systems, data products and tangible DRM projects.

Deliverables and implementation schedule

The incumbent will be responsible for the following specific deliverables:

UNDP will provide payments upon provision of deliverables duly certified by UNDP in accordance with the table above. UNDP will be the ultimate authority to control the quality of work results and assess the Contractor’s performance during the assignment.

Payments are made in three tranches as per the Schedule of payments indicated in the table above.

In particular, the payment schedule will be as follows:

Monitoring / reporting requirements:

Work-progress reporting/monitoring meetings will be held with the consultant on a weekly basis. UNDP will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work. No reports or documents should be published or distributed to third parties without approval of UNDP.

The consultant will work under the daily supervision of the Project Manager and will interact with UNDP to receive any clarifications and guidance that may be needed.

The satisfactory completion of each of the deliverables shall be subject to endorsement of the Project Manager.

The Consultant will duly inform UNDP of any problems, issues or delays arising in the course of implementation of assignment and take necessary steps to address them.

All reports and results are to be submitted to the UNDP in electronic form (*.docx, *.xlsx, *.pptx, and *.pdf or other formats accepted by UNDP).

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Education

• At least Master’s degree or equivalent in environmental science, political science, economics, public administration, international relations, or related field;

Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Management, including the technical and managerial aspects ideally at both the national and regional levels;
• Proven prior experience (at least 4 years) with risk assessment practices and emergency preparedness planning, specifically the practice and processes applied in Ukraine confirmed by at least two written samples;
• Experience in the area of Climate Change Adaptation (at least 2 years) and experience in the local solutions would be an advantage.
• Exposure to/experience/posture in academic community (the academy of sciences system; thematic research institutions, etc.) would be an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in English and Ukrainian languages is required

Skills

• Strong managerial and leadership skills, notably planning, organizing, coordinating and controlling, problem solving and decision-making;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Excellent analytical skills;
• Excellent writing, proficient communication and organization skills.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

Financial proposal

 Contracts based on daily fee

The financial proposal will specify the daily fee and payments will be made to the Individual Consultant based on the number of days worked.

Travel costs

Should any travel be necessary in connection to this TOR, UNDP will reimburse the expenses based on the duly authorized travel details, including travel and per diems.  In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 24 February 2021.

If you wish to apply for this or other positions with UNDP, please visit UNDP in Ukraine website, section Jobs and apply online:

https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=96882 

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest.

Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy.

Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.