Background

Haiti is one of the countries least resilient to disasters in the world. Risks include cyclones, floods, landslides, drought and epidemics, as well as earthquakes and tsunamis. In 2012 Haiti was named the country most at risk from climate change. High levels of fragility exacerbate the threat raised by natural hazards. Development challenges include: sustained environmental degradation; widespread poverty and inequality; high levels of unemployment; poor water and sanitation and limited health service outreach; food insecurity and malnutrition; weak institutions with limited decentralization; limited social safety nets; political fragility and the lack of social cohesion. All of these render the country highly exposed and vulnerable to disasters, whilst putting significantly strain national coping capacities. 

Three years after the devastating 2010 earthquake, and following approximately USD 6 billion investment in recovery and humanitarian aid, lives have been saved and urgent needs met. Equally, government has shown repeated commitment to the issue of disaster resilience at the most senior levels.   This has born important results and signs of interest since the earthquake including: reestablishment of capacities for preparedness and response in the aftermath of the earthquake; promotion of seismic risk reduction e.g. through targeted government funding for risk assessments and the validation of seismic risk reduction road-map in 2013; and agreement that disaster risk should be one of the priorities for the new Aid coordination framework (CAED).

However, levels of exposure and vulnerability to disaster risk remain critical.  Chronic development problems, continued humanitarian needs, including underlying fragility and high levels of exposure to disaster risk, remain largely unaddressed. Combined with rising indebtedness and high levels of aid dependency, these factors demand a rethinking of international engagement in Haiti.

Focused efforts and sustained engagement are required to:

• Build capacity to reduce vulnerability of Haitians to disasters;
• Improve preparedness of national disaster preparedness institutions;
• Help Haiti and its population to develop in a way that reduces rather than adds to disaster risk; and
• Reduce exposure to stress and respond to and recover from disasters and related shocks. 

The modalities of development aid need to be rethought to ensure that they address the root causes of disasters and the underlying causes of weak coping capacities. Further focus on the decentralized/local level is needed and community-based coping mechanisms need to be strengthened. In turn, humanitarian action and development aid strategies also need revisiting to ensure that they contribute to the capacity and resilience of Haiti’s institutions and communities rather than supplanting existing national capacities and mechanisms; or exacerbating to disaster risk.

In 2012 UNDP and DFID established an informal but high level group the ‘Political Champions for Disaster Resilience’. In 2012 UNDP and OCHA proposed that this initiative should include a focus on select priority countries where collective effort could serve to demonstrate the positive impact that joint effort in this area could have. Haiti was selected as one of the first focus countries of this group. The focus country approach is will be implemented under the leadership of the RC/HC with the joint engagement and strategic/technical support of UNDP and OCHA. 

In April 2013 a high-level visit took place to identify jointly with government key priorities for the next two years. 

The conclusions and priorities identified as a result of this visit are intended to help contribute to shaping coordinated action for the next 1-2 years:

• Integrating resilience targets into national development planning;
• Setting up a coordination table on disaster risk management to help integrate disaster resilience across sectors;
• Practically demonstrate the building of resilience in an initial targeted geographic areas for common action; and
• Further strengthen Government’s capabilities to lead and coordinate action on disaster risk management, including New legislation and updating the National Disaster Risk Management Plan.

The consultant will work under the leadership of coordinator of the Thematic Table Secretariat, and in close coordination with both local representatives of political champions and the wider community in government, UN, donors and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

Monitoring and Evaluation of the departmental approach - In collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and secretariat of the thematic table on DRR, the consultant will contribute to the development of monitoring tools on disaster resilience for the efforts at the departmental level. This includes focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Putting a base line in place for each department, based on technical assessments carried out at the end of 2013-start of 2014;
• Supporting the development of a M&E plan for each target department/commune.
• Helping to disseminate tools developed at the national level, including by the MPCE, to department and communal level.  
• The compilation of relevant data and preparation of relevant reports e.g. in preparation for global meetings.

Department level implementation and coordination - The consultant will help support the coordination and implementation of the process in the three departments of North, North East and Grande Anse, ensuring the coherence with the departmental action plans on disaster resilience developed for the political champions process. This includes focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Supporting the organization of relevant meetings (national and departemental) and field visits related to the geographic approach
• Monitoring and mapping of relevant actors and interventions related to disaster resilience priorities at the departmental level.
• Promotion of the exchange of experience and coordination amongst departemental partners, under the leadership of and in close coordination with government authorities.

Support for Resource Mobilization – as required by the Political Champions process, and the government of Haiti, help to support the development of resource mobilization strategies and products in support of the geographic approach focusing on achievement of the following results (as required):

• Resource mobilization documents for key events and donors
• Support the development of a resource mobilization strategy for the Political Champions process in Haiti.

Support to Coordination - Working closely with the government, UN RCO, OCHA and UNDP, the consultant will contribute to the coordination mechanisms related to the Geographic Focus of political champions agenda in Haiti focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization of meetings and agendas; keeping of minutes and other actions to help ensure an efficient and productive process.
• Support the government RC/HC in moving forward the main points agreed during the Political Champions mission in Haiti – in particular as it relates to the departmental level.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing of the geographic approach focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support for the development of knowledge products capturing key lessons learnt.
• Collaboration and coordination with other UN agencies, government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations on key messages from the process.

Impact of results - The key results have an impact on the overall effectiveness and success of the Political Champions Initiative in Haiti and its contribution to risk reduction and disaster resilience in Haiti. 

Competencies

Integrity and fairness

• Embodies UN values and promotes the well-being of all individuals regardless of gender, religion, race, nationality, or age.

Cultural sensitivity and adaptability

• Communicates effectively with and relates to people of different cultures;
• Demonstrating an ability to see issues from other perspectives.

Strong corporate commitment

• Works to achieve the goals of UNDP as a whole making significant contributions to corporate priorities or initiatives led by other UNDP offices and bureaus.

• Knowledge of the international disaster reduction system at field and headquarters levels;
• Knowledge of Haiti and its specific disaster risk patterns, its impacts, and disaster management issues;
• Knowledge of risk assessment theory and practice;
• Ability in disaster risk assessment and in application to risk management decision-making.

• Proven ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on them for development results;
• Proven ability to problem-solve and think creatively to develop and implement smart business solutions;
• Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs, gain support, and is proactive in developing solutions;
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills;
• Ability to establish priorities for self and others, and to work independent;
• Demonstrates openness to change, flexibility, and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to work under pressure and with multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams and possess excellent inter-personal skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong written and oral communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control, and good humoured even under pressure.

• Analytical ability to distil lessons learned.

Required Skills and Experience

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in French and English both spoken and written is required;
• Working knowledge of Creole is an asset.