UNDP Jobs - 25677- Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Chief Technical Adv

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Chief Technical Advisor

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

27-Sep-11 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

2 years

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

Timor-Leste is prone to different natural hazards due to its location, topography, and vulnerability to unexpected climatic events. The main natural hazards the country faces are floods, landslides and drought which could destroy vulnerable communities’ houses, infrastructure and livelihoods. Large scale hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis are possible given the country’s location in a seismic zone. The country’s risks and vulnerability associated with the hazards are high given the fact that Timor-Leste lacks sufficient infrastructure and human resources for reducing risk and vulnerability.

In 2011 the National Directorate for Disaster Management and UNDP Timor-Leste launched the project entitled “Strengthening Disaster Risk Management in Timor-Leste” (2011-2013). The overall objective of the project is to develop national Disaster Risk Management (DRM) capacity at the national and district levels including in communities vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change. In order to achieve this objective the National Disaster Management Directorate (NDMD) and UNDP have agreed to focus on four key priorities: (i) undertaking a National Multi Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessment as a basis for decision-making; (ii) mainstreaming DRM and Climate Risk Management (CRM) in government sectoral planning; (iii) strengthening institutional and operational mechanisms for the implementation of the DRM Policy; and (iv) expanding community-based disaster risk reduction with special emphasis on promoting women’s participation.

The objective of these Terms of Reference is to recruit a DRM Chief Technical Advisor to support the implementation of the DRM 2011-2013 Project and provide relevant technical advice to the Secretariat of State for Social Assistance and Natural Disasters, and the UNDP Country Office (CO).

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the direct supervision of the Assistant Country Director/ Head of Crisis Prevention and Recovery and in close collaboration with the National Project Manager and Government counterparts, the DRM Chief Technical Advisor will:

Develop the strategic approach and provide technical support to project implementation and institutional development in the National Disaster Management Directorate and the District DRM structures;
Liaise with and report to the Secretariat of State for Social Assistance and Natural Disasters (Secretary of State and senior officials) and the Project Board with regard to implementation progress, highlighting emerging issues and problems, and proposing options for their resolution;
Determine the need for additional external technical assistance and develop Terms of Reference for short term technical consultants required by the project, guide these consultants, and reflect their recommendations in action plans for implementation;
Supervise and mentor the National Project Manager according to a mutually agreed plan approved by the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit (CPRU);
Contribute to the preparation of annual work plans and monitor their implementation in close collaboration with the Secretariat of State for Social Assistance and Natural Disasters and UNDP;
Review and provide input to periodic progress reports and outputs produced by the project;
Supervise implementation of sound M&E mechanisms in collaboration with the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL);
Provide overall leadership, guidance and training to the national team and counterparts;
Ensure joint supervision and evaluation with the National Project Manager of project staff and international consultants;
Represent UNDP and act as a resource person in workshops, conferences and in meetings with the GoTL, and the wider donor community in Timor Leste;
Ensure that implementation is in accordance with UNDP procedures and regulations;
Provide policy lessons learned as input to the ongoing policy discussion on DRM options for Timor-Leste;
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;
Any other task requested by supervisor.

Impact of Results:

The key results will have an impact on positioning UNDP in the DRM area, develop CO and NDMD capacities and supporting the implementation of the DRM 2011-2013 project as it relates to the use of corporate resources in the following areas:

Managerial: monitors progress against milestones and deadlines;
Strategic partnerships: Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs, identify resources and gain support;
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
Planning and organising: Develops clear goals consistent with agreed strategies;
Judgment: Ability to identify key issues in a complex situation and comes to the heart of the problem quickly.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Demonstrates skills and ability to coordinate and manage the work of others, work to tight deadlines.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to conduct results-based management and reporting;
Solid theoretical knowledge of and good practical experience in the relevant area, i.e., particularly DRM, CRM; solid knowledge of the region and the overall situation in Timor-Leste;
Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive research on a range of issues including those of a complex and/or sensitive nature.

Management and Leadership:

Interacts, establishes and maintains effective working relations both as a team member and as a task manager, with people of different national and multi-cultural backgrounds;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations at senior levels, both orally an in writing, in a clear and persuasive stile tailored to match different audiences;
Demonstrates strong negotiating and interpersonal skills;
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Empowers others to translate vision into results;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Is able to anticipate and resolve conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Master Degree in Environmental Sciences, Management, Disaster Risk Management and/or relevant fields

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years of extensive working experience in the area of DRM and CRM;
At least 3 years experience managing Disaster Risk Management/Reduction projects and/or working as DRM adviser;
Experience in working in post-conflict or least development countries is an asset;
Experience in working with Government Institutions is a strong asset;
Previous UN experience is an asset;
Experience in working in Timor Leste is an asset;
Good computer skills are essential.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English, with excellent writing skills;
Working knowledge of Tetum, Indonesian or Portuguese is an asset.