Background

UNDP has been providing strategic support to the National Disaster Centre (NDC), which is the lead agency for disaster risk management in PNG, to strengthen its position within the wider governance context of PNG. The UN system’s programmatic realignment to the GoPNG’s MTDP 2011-2015 provides the opportunity to anchor the UNDP’s support more firmly in the nationally led plans and strategies and to further stress and prioritize DRM as a cross-cutting thematic area. More specifically, UNDP assisted the Government of PNG (GoPNG) strengthen the current DRM governance arrangements through revision of the National Disaster Risk Management Plan (NDRM Plan) that provides an institutional framework for DRM at all levels and paved the way for the revision of the existing DM legislation. UNDP’s also provides technical support to mainstream DRM in development processes and planning.  UNDP’s capacity building efforts at the national level is complemented by tangible risk reduction strategies in two high risk provinces. In support of Provincial Disaster Offices, interventions include the development of multi-year DRM plans, establishment of provincial DRM coordination mechanisms, strengthening and capacity building of Provincial Disaster Offices through training and provision of equipment.

UNDP has recently secured funding for a three year project that proposes to strengthen Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Papua New Guinea.  The project is geared towards helping the Government of Papua New Guinea to strengthen its DRM capacities, enhance preparedness and reduce risks. The project has both national sub-national focus and will support interventions at the provincial and district levels to reduce vulnerabilities through strengthening of DRM systems and processes including establishment DRM committees and strengthening those that are currently in place, development as well as review of disaster management plans and standard operating procedures for disaster response.  This project will also support strengthening of the provincial disaster management offices though provision of emergency equipment. The project will also to support the establishment and operationalization of an effective early warning systems and post disaster assessment and reporting systems. The project also envisages enhancing the capacities within the country for better response and early recovery planning. In addition, the project also aims at assisting the GoPNG in developing a DRM framework in line with the Sendai Framework of Action.

After nine years in Papua New Guinea, UN OCHA, which has maintained its presence within the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, will no longer have a permanent presence in the country after June 2015, which will be supported remotely by OCHA’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.  OCHA in support of the UNRC, provides technical support to ensure information-sharing and coordination of UN agency and other humanitarian partners’ interventions and acts as focal point for emergencies within the UN System and provides secretariat support to the UNRC, UN Country Team (UNCT) and IASC Disaster Management Team (DMT). In view of UN OCHA’s planned departure and to continue the required ongoing support to the UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP will assume the humanitarian coordination role in addition to its overall responsibility to conduct operational activities for disaster mitigation, prevention and preparedness.

In the above context UNDP is looking for a Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Specialist. Working under the supervision of Project Manager Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation, the position will provide the essential interface between the UN system, members of the Disaster Management Team (DMT) and Government disaster management authorities.  The Specialist will be responsible for enhancing disaster preparedness mechanisms and response procedures at the provincial and sub-provincial level through establishment and strengthening of disaster risk management committees to strengthen the DRM planning processes, strengthening of Provincial Disaster Management offices through provision of emergency communication systems/equipment, strengthening of disaster response and preparedness through development of disaster management plans and associated operation plans including development of  standard operating procedures (SOPs) for early warning dissemination, SOPs for disaster response (including control, command and coordination) and SOPs for damage assessment and reporting.  The Specialist will be expected to work closely with the National Disaster Centre of the Government of PNG as well as with United Nations agencies, international and national partners. The post-holder will act as a focal point for coordinating emergency response within the UN System and provides secretariat support to the UN Resident Coordinator, UN Country Team and the Disaster Management Team. The post holder will supervise a team including the DRM Project Manager and Humanitarian Analyst. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Enhance the disaster preparedness mechanisms and strengthen early warning systems and procedures;
• Facilitate hazard and risk assessments and integration of disaster risk management integrated into development policies, plans and budget;
• Establish preparedness and planning mechanisms and tools to manage disaster recovery processes at national and sub-national levels ;
• Assist the GoPNG in the development of a new disaster risk management framework;
• Humanitarian coordination;
• Partnership with regional and global initiatives on thematic DRM issues strengthened;
• Project management and capacity building in DRM.

Disaster Preparedness:

• Strengthen disaster management committees and DRM systems at the national and sub-national level;
• Develop disaster management plans including disaster early warning plans and associated standard operating procedures;
• Facilitate disaster simulation exercises at the national and provincial level;
• Strengthen the damage assessment and reporting systems;
• Strengthen the Emergency Operation Centres at the National and sub-national level;
• Maintain regular contact National Disaster Management Office and relevant Government institutions and liaise for information-sharing, capacity building and any other support that might be required.

 Hazard assessment and Integration of DRM in to development:

• Provide support on risk/vulnerability analysis at national and sub-national level;
• Advocate for allocate funds for integration of DRM in to budgetary and planning process;
• Provide support to planners and decision makers at provincial, district and LLG levels to integrate risk management into the development planning and budgeting process;
• Provide technical support towards project formulation, implementation and institutional development at the national, provincial, and district levels.

Disaster Recovery:

• Develop appropriate government policies, appropriate tools, training and capacity building activities;
• Support establishment of mechanisms for disaster recovery, and assist governments with pre disaster recovery planning, as well as post disaster needs assessment and recovery frameworks.

Humanitarian coordination:

• Monitor the situation in the country, with particular relevance to early warning indicators for any natural or man-made disasters;
• Support UNRC’s coordination and response support when required,  in close collaboration with national authorities;
• Report as required on major events with humanitarian scope and in line with reporting needs;
• Organise the monthly Disaster Management Team (DMT) meetings in coordination with NDC and the RCO.
• Support the RC in his role of DMT Chair by providing secretariat support to DMT;
• Maintain regular contact National Disaster Management Office and relevant Government institutions and liaise for information-sharing, capacity building and any other support that might be required;
• Lead inter-agency dialogue on the development of joint rapid needs assessment, analysis, and reporting.

Partnerships and resource mobilization:

• Contribute to the dialogue between NDC  and any regional partner based in-country;
• Contribute to communication of NDC’s priorities;
• Resource mobilization for disaster risk reduction.

DRM framework and Project management:

• Facilitate development of a DRM framework for GoPNG;
• Highlighting emerging issues and problems, and proposing options for their resolution;
• Contribute to the preparation of annual work plans and monitor the programme implementation in close collaboration with the relevant agencies;
• Represent UNDP and act as a resource person in workshops, conferences and in meetings, and the wider donor community;
• Ensure that implementation is in accordance with UNDP procedures and regulations;
• Supervise and mentor the technical experts hired to implement the programme and ensure a high quality of programme implementation;
• Supervise implementation of appropriate M&E mechanisms;
• Oversee and provide technical input to the design of DRM systems, procedures, framework and guidelines as needed;
• Oversee and provide technical input to the design of a capacity-building strategy and programme for government staff at all levels to ensure coherent implementation of regulatory framework and procedures.

In addition to the above responsibilities, the incumbent will carry out other related tasks as assigned by DRR.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:    

Professionalism:

• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change, risk management and sustainable development;
• Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems;
• Analytical and evaluative skills;
• Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities;
• Shows pride in work and in achievements;
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
• Remains calm in stressful situations.

Teamwork:

• Ability to work together with the government counterparts, donors, local consultants and UN agencies;
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others;
• Builds and promotes effective teams;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication.

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda:

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP and GoPNG’s mandate with regard DRM.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management:

• Monitors progress on implementation of agreed activities;
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for enhancing preparedness and emergency response in PNG;
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues;
• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.

Resource Mobilization:

• Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors;
• Maintains a database of project profiles;
• Identifies opportunities for project proposals for presentation to donors.

Client Orientation:

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Project management;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
• Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political or social science, international relations, public administration or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of seven  years of progressively responsible professional experience Disaster Risk Management/Reduction, early recovery and rehabilitation, or related field;
• Experience in working in developing countries is an asset;
• Experience in working with Government Institutions is a strong asset;
• Previous UN experience is an asset;
• Experience in working in Pacific or Papua New Guinea is an asset;
• Good computer skills are essential;
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, with efficiency, competence and integrity with people of different national background;
• Adherence to core competencies of professionalism, planning and organizing and teamwork.

Language:  

• Fluency in English (written and spoken).