Background

The Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Programme (CDRMP) has been formulated as part of the Strategic Partnership Framework signed between the BCPR and UNDP, and in accordance with the Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium. The CDRMP aims to strengthen the institutional and legislative aspects of DRM in Nepal, by building the capacities of Ministry of Home Affairs, other ministries, and local governments. The CDRMP will also establish strategic linkages between DRM and development sectors. The programme’s intervention in the area of climate risk management, community-based disaster risk management, and emergency preparedness and response will strengthen the overall system of disaster risk management in Nepal. It will integrate gender equality and women empowerment as well as social inclusion issues for sustainable DRM.  A knowledge management strategy will support all CDRMP interventions. In course of implementing the CDRMP, UNDP would build partnerships with the government, NGOs, international agencies, and academic institutions and expand the institutional and knowledge base of disaster risk management in Nepal.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall oversight of the Programme Manager (PM), and  direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer (SPO ILS), Institutional and Legislations Systems Strengthening (ILS),Strategic Linkages with other Sectors (Mainstreaming) and capacity development, the incumbent will ensure all activities related to mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and institutional capacity development are implemented in a timely, efficient and politically sensitive manner.

This position provides policy advisory support to mainstream DRR into development and key development sectors. It will provide relevant support to institutionalise and mainstream DRR through providing technical support to key ministries and sectors, such as Environment, Physical Planning and Works, Urban Development, Forestry and Soil Conservation, and Education, etc., to develop appropriate sectoral policies and operational procedures to manage disaster risks. It will strengthen the DRR focal point system for optimal programme and advocacy impact across all sectors. It will support training of DRR focal points of the ministries, departments and security forces.  It also contributes to strengthen national and local nodal institutions for DRM, which means strengthening capacity of key ministries and departments to incorporate risk reduction in development activities. It wil build capacities of the DDMC (at the district level) and provide training support to DDMC  and provide technical support  to DRR Flagship secretariat as required. The position also contributes to capacity-building of national training institutions with strengthing and establishment of a sustainable national training facilities through National Training Institutions. The position will provide technical support to mainstream DRR into curriculum in institutes of higher education and other professional courses. 

In order to achieve these outputs, the Project Officer (PO) will carry out regular stakeholder consultations, field visits, liaison with the line ministries, organizations as well as target beneficiaries and end- user agencies.   The scope of work contributes towards the programme’s outcome: “Sustainable reduction in disaster risk achieved through DRR mainstreaming in key development sectors.” Detailed scope of work includes:

Carry out day-to-day management and quality delivery of outputs and activities related to mainstreaming DRM into development and institutional capacity development in a timely, efficient and dynamic manner. (40%)
  • Support quality, timely and efficient delivery of all outputs of the CDRMP activities related to mainstreaming DRM into development planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation,   building UNDP reputation for quality design and reliable delivery. Prepare inputs and regular updates to detail work plans,  action plans, calendar of events, M&E framework and plan, risk, issue and lessons learned  logs in consultation with the implementing partners and stakeholders of  the  mainstreaming related activities;
  • Work closely with the SPO and PM to identify potential issues and problems related to mainstreaming to prepare a set of recommendations and to obtain any support/ advice required for the management, planning and control of CDRMP;
  • Ensure  that  of activities related to mainstreaming is consistent with the CDRMP objectives and plans and is relevant to DRM context of Nepal;
  • Keep abreast of mainstreaming related  issues and dynamics in Nepal which will impact on delivery of the CDRMP and potential follow-on programming and provide regular updates to SPO and PM;
  • Support and contribute to the development of contingency plans to address anticipated challenges;
  • Work with implementing partners in developing and adopting  replication  and sustainability strategies of all approaches and results of the CDRMP, which are appropriate for Nepal context;
  • Timely mobilization and utilization of CDRMP subcontracts, training and equipment inputs to the mainstreaming activities  with respect to Nepal’s diversity;
  • Develop of Terms of References of all required services (individuals and companies) and actively participate in the recruitment process as required by the SPO and PM;
  • Coordinate respective  national and international consultants to ensure that contracting processes are in accordance with planned schedules and deliverables;
  • Actively work with the gender and social inclusion team to develop and implement strategies to promote gender equality and social inclusion for sustainable DRM;
  • In consultation with PM, develop concept/ background paper for institutional changes both at the ministry and DDC levels to mainstream D/CRM in planning, implementation and M/E;
  • Support National Planning Commission to include D/CRM in upcoming 3/5 Year Development Plan and selected District Development Committees;
  • Work closely with national training institutions (NASC and LDTA) and academic institutions IOE/CDS and CDES to support developing the contractual arrangement to design and deliver number of DRM related short and long term trainings including MS programme;
  • Support training institutions and academic institutions to develop institutional and capacity enhancement plan to institutionalize the training within their system.
  • The training programmes should be developed building on existing body of work already undertaken by various partners in the country as comprehensive stand alone programs to be delivered repeatedly with the government increasing funding activities through regular budgets.
  • Regular update long term training plan describing the trainings prioritized by CDRMP for supporting specific capacity needs. The plan should propose the outcomes of each training, targets for delivery over the period of CDRMP is best placed to partners  with the project, resources required and identify means of verification for monitoring achievement of outcomes.
  • Provide technical assistance to NASC, LDTA, IOE/ CDS and CDES to build their technical capacity in the field of DRM and climate risk management.
  • Assist institutions in terms of updating the course content based on recent advancements in the field, enhancing technical knowledge of instructors and putting in place a system for certification, accreditation and quality assurance.
  • Prepare a database of staff attending DRM related training, their contacts and specialized skills that would be an important component of a capacity development framework; and
  • Represent the CDRMP team in related events as required by the PM.
Carry out monitoring and evaluation, planning and reporting responsibilities related to mainstreaming and institutional capacity development activities. (20%) 
  • Contribute to development of M&E framework and  establishment and maintenance of a dynamic system of M&E as a central element of the CDRMP;
  • Support full implementation of the M&E system;
  • Contribute to  timely  reporting - both internal and external (to the Government and  donors) - following UNDP and CDRMP requirements and established procedures;
  • Support the organization of the CDRMP Project Executive Board meetings and contribute to all aspects of development of progress reports and other documentation as required.
Develop and maintain effective relations including with the concerned partners and counterparts of mainstreaming and institutional capacity development issues. (15%) 
  • Support the SPO ILS in representing the team  in all relevant Country Office meetings, events and other activities as required;
  • In close collaboration with the SPO ILS, contribute to the development of appropriate working relations with national stakeholders to advance buy-in and national ownership of relevant aspects of the CDRMP;
  • Liaise with respective contractors and other key stakeholders that impact CDRMP delivery in order to ensure CDRMP outcomes are met in a timely manner;
  • In close collaboration with the PM, liaise with UNDP management and partners as necessary;
  • Support resource mobilization efforts by preparation of quality reports and other such documents.
Oversight coordination, management and monitoring of financial, administrative, procurement and logistical matters. (15%) 
  • Work with administrative and finance team of the CDRMP  in drawing up specifications for the equipment required and follow up with the procurement procedures;
  • Comply mainstreaming operations with UNDP rules, regulations and policies and monitoring of achievement of results;
  • Effective, transparent and accountable management of financial resources of mainstreaming, as per UNDP rules and regulations;
  • Support the SPO ILS in the preparation of timely narrative and financial reports, thematic technical papers and policy notes for the UNDP Country Office and CDRMP donors;
  • In close coordination with the Administrative and Finance team of the programme prepare accurate and reliable financial reports;
  • Support all activities leading to the annual audit exercise and follow up of the audit recommendations;
  • Provide inputs to Atlas budget revisions and Annual Work Plans for further discussion and clearance from the PM.
Conduct knowledge building and knowledge sharing. (10%) 
  • Support  the knowledge management officer  in generating, documenting  and disseminating   high quality information  and knowledge about the CDRMP best practices and lessons learned  on mainstreaming and capacity development among national and international stakeholders on an ongoing basis ;
  • Contribute to the development of relevant knowledge products;
  • Contribute to relevant knowledge networks and communities of practice;
  • Perform any other related task as per the request of the PM and SPO ILS.
Impact of Results:

Provision of technical support and effective management of the activities for mainstreaming DRM and capacity development and establishing strategic linkages with key sectors and training facility for DRM in Nepal,   and delivery of CDRMP objectives in compliance with UNDP rules and procedures will impact efficient delivery of results and outputs, fiscal and human resource management and administration. Some key results are:
  • Key ministries allocate at least 5% of resources for disaster risk management and climate change
  • National and local training institutions conduct regular disaster risk management trainings
  • Integrate disaster risk management into higher education
  • Establish disaster risk management focal points in key ministries with designated roles and responsibilities for planning and implementing disaster risk management projects

Competencies

Corporate competencies:
  • Demonstrated high moral integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards, impartiality and discretion and proven capacity of initiative, discretion and autonomy.
  • Promotes the vision, mission and strategy of UNDP.
  • Displays respect to diversity and cultural, gender, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity.
 Functional Competencies:
  • Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example.
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Development and Operational Effectiveness:
  • Sectoral planning, results based management and reporting.
  • Able to formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate programmes and projects, as well as resource mobilization skills.
  • Able to implement new systems with attitude change among implementing partners.
Management and leadership:
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback.
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
  • Effective communications skills and ability to establish good working relationships with national and international interlocutors.
  • Demonstrated openness to change and ability to solve problems and manage complexities.
  • Ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive environment with a minimum of comfort.
  • Ability to travel under harsh conditions within the country whenever required.
  • Excellent team building skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Completion of Masters Degree in social science, DRM, capacity development and any other related fields.

Experience:

  • At least five years of extensive practical experience in the field of multi-stakeholder and comprehensive development programmes with national and international agencies
  • Including at least three years of solid experiences on DRM mainstreaming and capacity development schemes in Nepal
  • Demonstrated ability to develop strategies for DRM mainstreaming and capacity development in Nepal.
  • Good knowledge of computer applications especially MS Office.

Language:

  • Fluency in English and Nepali at professional level are essential.

Fund code:

  • 30000