UNDP Jobs - 59444- International Consultant

International Consultant - Standing Order Revision

Location :

Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

01-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

30 working days over 3 months (Sept. to Nov. 2015). The assignment will require at least two times t

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

Myanmar is at risk from a wide range of natural hazards, including cyclones, earthquake, floods and droughts. A total of 27 disaster events have been recorded between 1980 and 2010, causing the death of approximately 140,000 people, and affecting the lives and livelihoods of 3.9 million people; an average of 125,000 people per year. Though the most devastating impact has been of the Cyclone Nargis in 2008, affecting 2.4 million people and claiming the lives of 135,000; small-scale disasters continue to impact different parts of the country on a recurrent basis and cause significant cumulative impacts on the vulnerable communities. These risks are further exacerbated by socio-economic factors such as wide-spread poverty, low capacity and years of conflict - contributing to overall vulnerability; and poor state of infrastructure that does not take into consideration natural hazards related risks. Climate change and variability will further add to these problems. However, since 2010, Myanmar has embarked in a far-reaching transition process– political decentralization, socioeconomic reforms, significant infrastructure-related investments, increase in foreign direct investments and rapid urbanization.

In recent years the Government of Myanmar has also taken significant steps to strengthen disaster risk management (DRM) — enactment of Disaster Management Law; commitment to implement the Myanmar Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction (MAPDRR); undertaking risk assessments; building capacity of government officials through establishment of National Disaster Management Training Center; increasing awareness among communities through the DRR youth volunteers programme; enhancing cooperation and partnerships with the development partners through the Disaster Risk Reduction Sub-sector Working Group; and increasing response efficiency through the establishment of a national Emergency Operations Centre.

Myanmar, along with other 167 countries endorsed the Hyogo Framework for Action [HFA 2005-2015]. For the implementation of HFA at the national level, the Myanmar Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (MAPDRR) was developed in 2009 and enacted in 2012 to accelerate the implementation of prioritized activities. In 2009, the Government also issued Standing Order on Disaster Management to increase the effectiveness of future preparedness and response efforts. The policy was drafted and finalized in 2009 by a 33-member drafting committee as per the directive issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. It came into effect in January 2009 by order of the National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee (NDPCC) with the aim of ensuring effective execution of emergency relief and rehabilitation operations and timely mobilization of resources.

In 2013 and in line with MAPDRR priorities, the Government enacted a Disaster Management Law and the Rules under the Law are expected to be enacted in July 2015. The Law includes a provision for the regular update of the Standing Order by the Relief and Resettlement Department. As a result of the introduction of the Law and to reflect changes in the socio-economic context of Myanmar as well as in the international disaster management environment (Sendai Framework, ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response, etc.), the Relief and Resettlement Department (RRD) has decided to update the National Standing Order on Disaster Management in 2015.

A group of agencies, the SO revision working group, was formed out of the DRR WG and the HCT Emergency Preparedness Response Working Group that are willing to support the Relief and Resettlement Department in revising the Standing Order. The agencies have conducted several meetings, including with the Relief and Resettlement Department, and have jointly developed a concept note to guide the process as well as tools such as a questionnaire for state and region Governments.

The international consultant will be managed by UNDP Myanmar but will receive guidance from a committee made of representatives from UNDP, UNICEF and OCHA; and will work in direct support of RRD. Additionally, the consultant will work in close collaboration with all agencies involved in the SO working group, including Red Cross, UN, NGOs and technical experts. Finally, the international consultant will provide support and guidance to a national consultant.

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the consultancy is to support the Relief and Resettlement Department in revising the national Standing Order on Disaster Management to reflect the changing context of Myanmar; as well as developments in national, regional and global disaster-management related discussions.

The Specific objectives include:

Identify lessons learnt from the implementation of SO, focusing on these key questions:

Levels of awareness of the SO amongst key ministries and departments and adherence to the standards during past responses.
Existence of ministry-specific and sub-national level SOPs to complement the National SO and coherence between the documents;
Alignment of SO with international and regional standards – IASC EPR guidelines and AADMER SASOPs and with the international humanitarian architecture;
Effectiveness of SO in guiding and boosting investments in preparedness at national and sub-national level by the Government.

Conduct national and sub-national consultations through the leadership of the inter-ministerial task force.

Draft SO covering roles and responsibilities of committees at national level.

Work together with and provide guidance to a national consultant.

The international consultant is expected to provide support at the beginning and towards the end of the process, with whilst the national consultant will work throughout the period based on a detailed work plan developed by the consultants and endorsed by Relief and Resettlement Department, the Standing Order Revision Working Group including UNDP, UNICEF and OCHA.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the Standards of Conduct for international civil servants;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Good knowledge of the natural resource management particularly lake and watershed management, the concept of sustainability and sustainable development in the region and developing countries;
Ability to quickly grasp and synthesize inputs from a range of disciplines related to environmental conservation and lake management;
Ability to advocate and provide technical advice on the relevant sector/theme;
Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision;
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Post-graduate degree in relevant subjects, such as social science, disaster management, development studies.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years working experiences in the development field of work;
Work experience in the field of disaster management and emergency response;
Demonstrated experience of leading strategy development processes;
Experience of coordination with and capacity development of Government counterparts.

Language:

Excellent communication skills in English.