UNDP Jobs - 54893- Early Warning Systems Consultant

Early Warning Systems Consultant

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-May-2015

Application Deadline :

30-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

39 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

39 days

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 Dili-Ainaro Road Development Corridor project, is aimed at strengthening the resilience of communities living in the Dili-Ainaro Road Development Corridor to climate-induced disasters such as floods and landslides and to reduce the risk of damage to road infrastructure.

The Dili to Ainaro Road comprises a joint investment by the Government of Timor-Leste and the World Bank aiming to upgrade the road infrastructure linking Dili to the district capitals of Aileu and Ainaro. This road infrastructure and the communities living in the Dili-Ainaro Road Development Corridor (DARDC) are at risk to climate-induced natural disasters such as floods and landslides. Damage to road infrastructure is expensive to repair and restricts: i) economic development; ii) market access; iii) access to services such as education and health care; iv) evacuation during natural disasters; and v) provision of disaster relief. Furthermore, the risk of damage to road infrastructure is exacerbated because of ecosystem degradation resulting from existing land-use practices such as: i) timber logging; ii) slash-and-burn agriculture; iii) overharvesting of fuel wood; and iv) burning for hunting and fodder production.

The “Dili-Ainaro Project”, which is financed through the Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF) and implemented by the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS) with support from UNDP, seeks to address the expected increase in climate-induced natural disasters due to climate change and reduce the potential risks and damages to the Dili-Ainaro road infrastructure and the communities in the DARDC. The project aims to achieve this by strengthening capacities and providing investments for disaster risk management (DRM) measures using ecosystem-based approaches.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Early Warning Systems (EWS) consultant will develop a model and Standard Operating Procedures for piloting an Early Warning System. Specific tasks include:

Assess the current state of early warning and response systems currently operated in Timor-Leste, including by NDOC, DDMCs/DDOCs, CVTL, PNTL, MAF, PIG and ND Met, to identify best practices, traditional knowledge, gender considerations and capacity gaps, by desk-top research and stakeholder consultations, including a 1-day workshop.
Develop an overview of global best-practice for EWS systems for all relevant hazards (in particular flash-floods, landslides, heavy winds and fires) in Timor-Leste and an analysis of their relevance for Timor-Leste. The overview will include traditional as well as new and innovative approaches to EWS.
Develop a model and SOPs for EWS through stakeholder consultation and expert analysis. The model and SOPs will incorporate the findings from the above assessment and from international best practices. Specific emphasis will be made placed on modalities that are appropriate for remote communities with limited means for receiving and transmitting messages. The model and SOPs will cover all stages of EWS including: i) acquisition of data; ii) interpretation of data to identify specific risks; iii) development of warning messages; iv) delivery of warning messages to communities and district/sub-district officials; and v) appropriate responses of communities and government officials to disaster warnings. In each of these stages gender considerations will be integrated to ensure women and children are an integrated part of the EWS. The SOPs will describe in detail each stakeholders roles and actions at each of these stages.
Develop a strategy, work plan and manual for the EWS to be established and test piloted in four sub-districts covering at least 5,000 households. The EWS will be tailored to specific conditions to minimise the risk of warnings not being communicated to remote communities and especially to women, who are most often vulnerable to disasters. This may include providing infrastructure to facilitate delivery of warning messages such as: i) solar cells and radio for remote communities; ii) pre-paid mobile phones; iii) two-way radios for reporting agents; and/or iv) loud speakers. Pilot EWS installations will be suitable for operation, maintenance and monitoring by women. The manual will provide guidance to all parties involved in the EWS and will also be used for training purposes.
Provide two 1-day training courses on the pilot EWS to DARDC project staff, NDMD staff, volunteers and officials from districts and communities selected for testing the EWS.

Competencies

Ability to communicate effectively to varied audiences;
Ability to work under presure;
Ability to work and communicate in a team environment with good problem solving and organizational skills;
Capacity to deal with different cultural backgrounds;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

Advanced university degree in a subject related to DRR/DRM, emergency planning, early warning systems and/or climate change adaptation.

Years of experience:

Minimum 8 years professional experience in the development and operation of early warning systems (including community-based EWS and in developing countries).
Experience with introduction of new and innovative practices.
Specific technical knowledge of flood, landslide and strong wind risk assessment and forecasting.
Experience with developing sustainable, community-based early warning systems.
Experience in translating results from analysis of climate information into simple and practical risk reduction activities.
Demonstrated experience in training varied stakeholders – including government officials and community members – on EWS.

Language requirements

Excellent English writing and presentation skills.
Knowledge of Portuguese, Tetum and/or Bahasa is advantageous.

For more information please go to this Link.