Background

This Terms of Reference is related to the employment and contracting of an individual specialising in the field of Earth Sciences, Disaster Management and/or related topics. This service is part of the Enhancing Resilience to Reduce Vulnerability in the Caribbean (ERC) Project, implemented by the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) and financed by the Government of Italy. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Barbados and the OECS provides technical and management support to this project.   This operation is jointly supported by the ERC project and the UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC) in the framework of the Tsunami and other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean Sea and Adjacent Regions (CARIBE EWS). The Interim Director CTIC will facilitate operations of the Caribbean Tsunami Information Centre (CTIC).

Islands in the Caribbean are highly vulnerable to various natural hazards and climate change impacts, also having fragile ecosystems and concentrations of settlements and major functions in low lying coastal areas and other hazard prone locations. This Enhancing Resilience to Reduce Vulnerability in the Caribbean (ERC) project focuses on knowledge sharing and building linkages across Caribbean institutions, capacity development, and advancing the linkages between climate change and disaster risk reduction. The project also seeks to strengthen the civil protection mechanisms through capacity development for early warning systems, information dissemination, and institutional coordination for disaster management and response, consistent with the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) and the CDEMA-led Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy.
 
The expected outputs of the project are:
 
Output 1: Sustainable network of real-time decision support centres to facilitate early warning and post disaster recovery established and fully integrated into national and regional planning; 
 
Output 2: Strengthen national disaster mechanisms to incorporate the best practices in volunteerism: enhance institutional capacities and support to tsunami public education programmes.
 
ERC is implemented by the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) with direct benefit to the countries of Barbados and the OECS. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Barbados and the OECS as well as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) will provide technical and management support to the project. The Italian Civil Protection department and the CIMA Research Foundation of Italy will provide support and coordination to this initiative. This present phase of this project is concerned with enhancing the Caribbean Tsunami Information Centre (CTIC) which is an initiative of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO/IOC).

 

 

 

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Interim Director will manage and promote the operations of the CTIC. The following specific tasks are expected to be completed during this assignment:
 
1.       Specific task 
  • Coordinate and monitor developments of the Caribbean Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Early Warning System including the contributions of donors especially the Government of Italy through the ERC project; as well as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
  • Coordinate with the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC), UNESCO Headquarters, the ICG/CARIBE EWS Secretariat and key stakeholders, capacity building and training for staff of Caribbean national agencies.
  • Update the sustainability plan for the CTIC for a five year period
  • Develop a framework and strategy to establish and promote the CTIC as a focal point for capacity building in Tsunami Early Warning Systems in the Caribbean.
  • Assist the Caribbean Governments and their institutions in enhancing systems through various methods including facilitating the exchange of information, Tsunami public awareness and education, simulations and practical activities; and the organisation of meetings and workshops.
  • Ensure that a communications plan is developed and implemented. Also create and update regularly a website with the information about the development of the ICG/CARIBE EWS and CTIC including the contributions of Donor Countries
  • Act as an information source for all potential users of the Caribbean Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Early Warning Systems
  • Supervise the personnel of CTIC, as they become available through secondments and eventually through dedicated funding.
 
 
 

Competencies

Excellent working knowledge (written and oral) of English is required.  A working knowledge of Spanish and/or French is an asset.
Demonstrated related work experience within the Caribbean region
Demonstrated related work experience within the Caribbean region
Ability to meet deadlines and prioritise multiple tasks
Report writing, data acquisition and analysis skills
Ability to work in dynamic multi-disciplinary team
Excellent interpersonal  and communication skills
Demonstrates initiative  and tact
Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
Experience working within a UN agency would be an asset
 

Required Skills and Experience

MSc in Earth Sciences (Geology, Geophysics, Oceanography, Hydrology, or Meteorology) or other relevant field with at least three (3) years experience in the disaster management sector or a related field

Or
BSc in Earth Sciences (Geology, Geophysics, Oceanography, Hydrology, or Meteorology) or other relevant field with at least five (5) years’ experience in the disaster management sector or a related field
 
At least two (2) years experience in a project management or coordination capacity.
 
Proven experience in writing and implementing programming frameworks and strategies.