Strategy Consultant for Pre-Disaster Recovery Preparedness Consultant

at  United Nations

Result of Service
The ultimate result of service will be the satisfactory delivery of (1) the resilient recovery readiness framework and toolkit, (2) a package of associated training programmes, and (3) the successful implementation of IRP Forum in September in Japan, and (4) preparations for the WRRC including the Technical Sessions and the Global Call to Action in June 2025.
Work Location
Home based
Expected duration
15 Feb to 31 Jul 25
Duties and Responsibilities
1. 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. The International Recovery Platform (IRP) is a global partnership working to strengthen the capacities of countries and communities to build back better in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. Its Secretariat is coordinated by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). It is a joint initiative of United Nations organizations, international financial institutions, national and local governments, and non-governmental organizations engaged in disaster recovery. It seeks to transform disasters into opportunities for sustainable development. IRP supports progress against Priority 4 of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SF), Enhancing Disaster Preparedness for Effective Response and to “Build Back Better (BBB)” in Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction. As we enter into the second half of SF implementation, the balance of progress and persistent challenges has been mapped by the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework (MTR SF). While many countries have made notable strides in implementation, the MTR SF found the Sendai Framework (SF) is not on a path to meet its expected outcomes or goals by 2030. Progress with SF Priority 4 has similarly demonstrated important innovation and achievements, but the MTR SF found “build back better principles have not been applied systematically” and identified major barriers to progress include insufficient national capacities, engagement of diverse stakeholders and lack of financing. Ensuring that countries build back better from disasters with greater resilience and improved recovery outcomes will play a critical role in putting the SF and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track. In the face of increasing and more complex disaster risks, the MTR SF recognized the urgent need to enhance preparedness for recovery as a critical component of disaster risk reduction and recovery efforts and to improve recovery outcomes. Despite the clear benefits of recovery readiness in reducing recovery timelines and mitigating the adverse impacts of disasters on communities, it remains underutilized and poorly understood globally. The IRP aims to support countries and communities with knowledge and capacity to assess and improve their recovery readiness. 2. Duties and Responsibilities UNDRR seeks to engage a consultant to support IRP’s activities to contribute to the progress with Priority 4. The work will be undertaken in close collaboration with IRP partners. The consultant will be home based under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer, Intergovernmental Processes, Interagency Cooperation and Partnerships Branch, UNDRR, the consultant will be responsible for the following: • Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provide administrative and substantive support to meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposed participants, preparation of background documents and presentations, handling logistics, etc. • Support the planning and implementation of grant-funded projects on resilient recovery readiness, including developing assessment and training modules, training curricula, and delivering training programmes. • Support the organization and implementation of the World Resilient Recovery Conference (WRRC) in June 2025 and regional consultations on recovery readiness, including planning, coordination, implementation, and substantive inputs to prepare both inputs and outcome documents. • Contribute to the development of the resilient recovery readiness self-assessment toolkit, including research, development of key performance indicators, training curricula, and other tools and resources to support member states in conducting the self-assessment. • Contribute to the development of a programme to pilot the readiness toolkit with member state governments.
Qualifications/special skills
A master’s degree in disaster risk management, development, public finance, business administration, public policy, urban planning, management or the relevant field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree. Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in post-disaster recovery, development, finance, public finance/administration, disaster risk management is required. Experience with training, pre-disaster recovery planning as well as capacity building and/or communications is desirable. Experience in research on disaster risk reduction related topics is desirable.
Languages
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of any other UN Languages is desirable
Additional Information
Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.
No Fee

Please refer the Job description for details