UNDP Jobs - 48977- Consultant- Disaster Risk Reduction Liaison Office

Consultant- Disaster Risk Reduction Liaison Officer

Location :

Tokyo, JAPAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2014

Application Deadline :

25-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

9 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Government of Japan (GoJ) and UNDP share a common goal of building resilient societies by integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) into development and encouraging resilient recovery processes. Both representatives of the GoJ and UNDP expressed this at the highest political level and therefore, DRR is recognized as a priority in the strategic partnership established between the GoJ and the UNDP. During the last three years, an on-going dialogue on technical and strategic aspects of this collaboration has been vigorously taking place.

In March 2015, the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) will be held in Sendai City, Japan. It is expected the participation of worldwide high-level representatives from governments and the whole DRR practitioners community. One of the anticipated outcomes of the conference will be the adoption of a successor of Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), informally referred to as HFA2. It has been widely acknowledged that HFA2 needs to be synchronized, aligned and inter-linked with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)/post-2015 development framework. Japan has been selected as one of the countries to pilot DRR targets and indicators, and the start-up workshop was initiated by UNDP and ISDR in collaboration with the GoJ in Tokyo in June 2014.

When the HFA was adopted at the Second World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan in 2005, the International Recovery Platform (IRP) was also launched by a coalition of UN agencies, supported by the GoJ, with the objective to function as an international repository of knowledge and clearing-house mechanism for recovery. As the co-chair and a permanent member of the IRP Steering Committee, UNDP has provided significant support to IRP and sees the need to further strengthen its support to the IRP Secretariat based in Kobe, leading up to the Third WCDRR in Sendai.

As substantial preparatory work for UNDP’s involvement in WCDRR will take place in Japan, there is a need to temporarily strengthen capacities of the UNDP Representation Office in Tokyo (UNDP Tokyo) by hiring a consultant – DRR Liaison Officer to be based in UNDP Tokyo. Under the overall guidance of Chief of Profession of the Disaster, Climate Risk and Recovery Team, BPPS, UNDP HQ in New York and day-to-day supervision of Deputy Director of UNDP Tokyo, DRR Liaison Officer will be responsible for providing overall support to UNDP’s preparation and coordination efforts for the WCDRR in Japan as well as supporting the coordination with GoJ on mainstreaming DRR into the SDG process. The DRR Liaison Officer will also work in close collaboration with the Partnerships Advisor, Disasters and Climate Risk Management and the Political Liaison Officer in UNDP Geneva as well as other Disaster, Climate Risk and Recovery Team members.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions/Key Results Expected

Act as a UNDP focal point in Japan to support implementation of UNDP’s WCDRR strategy and planning document with a focus on smooth implementation of Japan-based activities, including but not limited to the official side events and public forums;
Lead and facilitate coordination and discussions between UNDP and the hosts of WCDRR and other key stakeholders in Japan, including but not limited to MoFA, Cabinet Office, JICA, Sendai City, other cities in Tohoku, UNISDR and other UN Agencies based in Japan, private sector, academia, and civil society working on DRR and Recovery issues;
Plan, organize, and/or support publicity events and UNDP’s participation in official side events and the public forums and raise awareness on WCDRR and UNDP’s activities in DRR in Japan;
In collaboration with UNDP HQ, Geneva, Tokyo and other colleagues, ensure that UNDP is represented at the highest level and its contribution to DRR as well as UNDP’s perspective and position is properly reflected in the various WCDRR’s sessions, panels, outcome statements and communication materials;
In collaboration with Communications staff, facilitate the development and dissemination of communication and advocacy materials, including press/media briefings especially in Japanese, to showcase the contribution of UNDP to DRR and its future role;
Support UNDP’s preparation and contribution for the WCDRR in close coordination with UNDP HQ, Geneva, Tokyo and other concerned Units, including the facilitation of procurement and payments in compliance with UNDP rules and regulations;
Develop (and/or contribute to the development of) new programmes/projects/initiatives and mobilize resources from the GoJ;
Support coordination with GoJ for UNDP’s activities in the formulation of HFA2 and mainstreaming DRR in the SDG process;
Prepare and/or contribute to background and working papers for the WCDRR;
Support membership/chairmanship of UNDP of the IRP;
Any other relevant activities as required.

Main Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Successful implementation of UNDP approach/strategy at the WCDDR, with a final report on the activities related to the WCDDR with financial details and compilation of internal records as well as official conference materials;
In close coordination with HQ and Tokyo Office Communications staff, 3-4 strategic documents/publications/advocacy materials on DRR in Japanese; and
Substantive inputs/advice in relation to partnership with Japan on DRR to UNDP Tokyo senior management as well as UNDP HQ and Geneva relevant colleagues.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
Ability to set and develop a strategic vision in a complex political setting;
Ensures an organizational environment that respects diversity, gender equality and cultural sensitivity and fosters openness to diverse perspectives;
Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time;
Good understanding of UNDP programming modalities, particularly in crisis and post-conflict settings.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Encourages and creates mechanisms to share expertise and team approaches between field offices, Country Office and HQs, as well as with other partners and stakeholders Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside UNDP;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Management and Leadership

Proven ability to provide effective leadership, to manage teams, and transfer advice and knowledge to personnel at all levels and from different national and cultural backgrounds;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Effectively communicates to audiences in challenging and adversarial situations;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision;
Set clear performance goals and standards, and executes responsibilities accordingly;
Proven ability to mobilize resources as a means to promote catalytic projects and/or the scaling up of strategic initiatives.

Judgement and Decision Making

Capacity to work and sound decision making under situations of stress and pressure;
Ability to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives;
Solid understanding of local and international political dynamics and ability to interact tactfully and diplomatically;
Cultural sensitivity and adaptability, demonstrating an ability to see issues from other perspectives, communicate effectively with and relate to people of different cultures;
Manages and resolves conflicts with individuals and groups both within and outside the organization to achieve win-win solutions.

Results Orientation and Development Effectiveness

Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based programme management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
Demonstrable theoretical and policy knowledge of conflict prevention, peace building and conflict sensitive development;
Demonstrable knowledge of an understanding of gender and human rights issues in crisis and the interface between them and conflict;
Knowledge of the socio-political and development situation in Colombia is essential;
Knowledge of the context dynamics in the designated geographical area (Nariño, Cauca and Putumayo) is desirable.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, development studies or other discipline relevant to development, DRR, and disaster recovery.

Experience:

At least 5 years of professional work experience in planning, implementing and managing development programmes/projects and policies preferably in the area of disaster risk reduction, response and recovery;
Experience in coordination and partnership building with Government, private sector, and civil society in Japan;
Experience in organizing international conferences and events, preferably with high-level participants;
Knowledge and experience of UNDP and UN system policies, rules and regulations, guidelines;
Experience working in an international organization and multi-cultural environment;
Experience and knowledge of organizations such as the World Bank, UNISDR, and other members of the International Recovery Platform is an asset;
Knowledge and experience working on advocacy, communication and public relations is an asset.

Language:

Fluency in English and Japanese, both oral and written, is required;
Working knowledge of other UN official language (preferably French or Spanish) is an asset.

Submission of your application

The following minimum documents will be required when submitting an offer:

CV/UNDP P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
Financial proposal of “all inclusive” consultancy fee (The financial proposal shall specify a monthly lump sum amount in USD. It must be all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses expected to be incurred by the Individual Contractor during the contract period, including professional fee; local transportation, living allowances needed while on the duty station; communications, utilities, consumables; Life, Health and any insurance, as maybe desired by the individual contractor; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions, when applicable; any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the IC. he cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where such travel is required, should be included in the financial proposal. However, costs for official travel outside Tokyo will be covered by UNDP according to UNDP rules and regulations).