Background
- Scope of an early warning system for natural hazards in Georgia (e.g. regional versus national, single- versus multi-hazard focusing on floods, landslides, droughts, wildfires etc.)
- Working modalities of natural hazard early warning system including:
- Indicators to forecast the location, intensity and timing of heavy precipitation
- Monitoring of rainfall, water flow and water levels
- Baseline data on ground topography, slope and vegetation cover
- Assessment of a feasibility for the following three components of the early warning chain:
- Technical identification and monitoring of hazards
- Communications requirements
- Response to warnings
- Assessment and recommendations on how the natural hazard early warning system could best be a part of the national institutional and legislative framework considering current responsibilities of MoE/National Environment Agency, Ministry of Regional Development & Infrastructure, Ministry of Interior/Emergency Management Department, local authorities and civil society organizations
- Assessment of opportunity costs for establishing th natural hazard early warning system and alternative allocation of funds for disaster risk reduction (e.g. risk mapping, riverbank protection)
- Assessment of system, institutional and individual level capacities existing in MoE and other key institutions for establishing and operating the early warning system for natural hazards
- Recommendations on capacity development initiatives for MoE and other key institutions for establishing and operating an early warning system for natural hazards
The study will be conducted by a team of experts composed of one international and one national expert. The national expert will work under overall supervision and guidance of the international expert
Duties and Responsibilities
- Development of a methodology, scope and outline of the natural hazard early waning assessment report
- Desk review of available natural hazard early warning systems applicable to current needs in Georgia and development of findings and recommendations for MoE and other relevant institutions
- Consultations with key stakeholders including, the MoE/National Environment Agency, the Georgian National Committee for Disaster Risk Reduction & Sustainable Environment, UNDP Disaster Risk Reduction Think-tank, Ministry of Interior/Emergency Management Department, CENN and others
- Investigation of the feasibility for establishing early warning system for natural hazards in Georgia and formulation of key recommendations
- Development of recommendations on capacity development initiatives for MoE and other key institutions for establishing and operating an early warning system for natural hazards
- Discussion of the draft report with main findings and recommendations of the study to key stakeholders
- Finalization of the feasibility study report with findings and recommendations for various categories of risks and stakeholders – including next step; and
- Development of a project proposal for UNDP’s capacity development interventions for establishing and operating an effective early warning system for natural hazards within the MoE and other institutions
Deliverables
- Natural Hazard Early Warning System Feasibility Study
- Project proposal on UNDP’s capacity development interventions for establishing and operatinga natural hazard early warning system within MoE and other relevant agencies
- 40% - upon submission to and clearance by UNDP of the first draft of the early warning system assessment report;
- 60% - upon submission to and clearance by UNDP of the final report and the project proposal for UNDP’s capacity development interventions for establishing and operations of early warning system for natural hazards within the MoE and other key institutions
Competencies
- Knowledge of United Nations and/or other international or bilateral organizations and their policy, programme and operations
- Proven ability to work in a complex environment with different stakeholders within a specific political context
- Ability to interact with and relate to people at any level
- Excellent writing, presentation/public speaking skills, and
- A pro-active approach to problem-solving
Required Skills and Experience
- Master’s of higher degree in environmental sciences, geography, hydro-meteorology, disaster risk reduction or other related fields
- 7 years of experience in designing, implementing or evaluating early warning systems related to natural hazards or in other related areas (e.g. disaster risk reduction of natural hazards, etc.)
- Experience in managing or providing technical advisory services to the projects aiming at capacity development of public institutions and CSO, especially in the disaster risk reduction area
- Knowledge of the CIS region and particularly the Georgian context is an asset
- Work experience in/for UN or other international organizations is an asset
- Strong analytical skills
- Excellent communications and writing skills
- Full e-literacy
- Fluency in English