UNDP Jobs - 51740- Disaster Risk Management Specialist

Disaster Risk Management Specialist

Location :

Kampala, UGANDA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

02-Jan-2015

Application Deadline :

28-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 Year (with possibility of extension)

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

Uganda has witnessed increasing and highly devastating disasters, both climate and human-induced that exerted a significant human and economic toll on its population and which, to an extent affected the country’s ability to fully maximize the benefits from its economic growth and social development. The country remains vulnerable to a range of hazards that, if not prevented and/or mitigated, can result in disasters. To address this situation, the Government of Uganda (GoU) developed and approved a National Policy on Disaster Preparedness and Management in 2012 with the purpose of creating and promoting a disaster preparedness and management system that safeguards the country against disasters and ensures continued productive capacity of the people.

To respond to this challenge, the GoU in collaboration with UNDP is implementing a programme entitled, ‘Strengthening Capacities for Disaster Risk Management and Resilience-Building’, with the intent of strengthening capacity for disaster risk management and resilience-building, including mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change and the provision of protection and other assistance to citizens and refugees affected by conflict or natural disasters. The programme undertakes this by strengthening the capacity of institutions and establishing systems and mechanisms to enhance national and community resilience.

To support implementation of the programme, the GoU in partnership with UNDP seeks to deploy an International DRM Advisor for an initial period of twelve (12) months.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Providing D/CRM policy and advisory services;
Management support to D/CRM processes;
Leadership and provision of DRM advisory support to the UNCT;
Ensures the establishment of a DRM knowledge culture with effective advocacy tools.

Provides policy and advisory services to determine optimised approaches for enhanced development effectiveness in support of Disaster and Climate Risk Management (D/CRM) processes, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Provide technical leadership in the development of the DRM Act and the Resilience and DRM Strategic Framework and Investment Programme (SFIP) for Uganda that is participatory, inclusive, and which operationalizes the National Policy on Disaster Preparedness and Management;
Lead advocacy efforts related to mainstreaming of D/CRM into Government systems, the UN and other development partner supported development initiatives in the country;
Perform additional tasks as may be assigned.

Provides management support to resilience and D/CRM processes which is needs-based and conducted in an effective and principled manner in the best interests of affected and vulnerable populations, focusing on achievement of the following results

Support the mainstreaming of the relevant CPAP strategic objectives within UNDAF operationalization where appropriate;
Ensure the operationalization of the resilience and D/CRM initiative in the UNDAF;
Develop a comprehensive programme based on the UNDAF, CPD, and the Resilience and DRM SFIP;
Advise the OPM on D/CRM issues including: promoting the adoption of prevention and mitigation measures, linkages with climate change adaptation, utilization of emergency grants, post-disaster needs assessments, reorientation, as appropriate, of existing programs to meet risk reduction and recovery needs; and planning for longer term recovery;
Advise the OPM in the coordination and implementation of the National Policy on Disaster Preparedness and Management and its complementation/link with the Resilience and DRM SPIF;
Provide technical support to the OPM in the running of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Management and the continued operation of the NECOC;
Oversee the roll-out and full implementation of the National EWS, Beneficiary Registration and Tracking System, and other disaster and climate modelling systems;
Identify specific needs and demands of the programme and help build partnerships at the national and sub-national levels to meet those needs. Where possible, serve as a broker in harnessing regional and global support to respond to such needs;
Advice and support the OPM in the coordination of programme efforts with the other system partners – government agencies, UN agencies, the World Bank, national and international NGOs, academic and research institutions at the country and international levels;
Support monitoring mechanisms and reporting of D/CRM activities in a timely, transparent and consolidated manner, identifying gaps and proposing alternatives.

Provides leadership and advisory support to the UNCT, in the areas of resilience-building and D/CRM, including advocacy and resource mobilisation efforts, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Chair the UNCR Resilience and DRM Task Force ensuring to mobilize and coordinate UN agency activities in support of resilience and D/CRM priorities and actions;
Advise and follow up on strategic partnership opportunities with Government, Development Partners, regional bodies and other relevant actors in continuing to successfully position UNDP within the resilience and D/CRM environment;
Support resilience and D/CRM resource mobilization activities and oversees the management of fund requests and allocations from UNDP and other donors.

Ensures the establishment of a knowledge culture with effective advocacy tools, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Create synergies between relevant stakeholders involved in DRM efforts, while promoting national ownership of coordination processes through increased participation of national and local stakeholders;
Facilitate the flow of information between UN global systems, UNCT, Government and development partners on DRM issues;
Support to provision and application of the latest policy guidelines and technical standards;
Liaise with and participate in the Global Cluster Working Group on DRM, other relevant expert networks and derive lessons learned.

Impact of Results:

Resilience-building and D/CRM is facilitated through improved policy, advisory and management services;
Resilience-building and D/CRM are done in the best interests of affected and vulnerable populations;
Advocacy and resource mobilisation efforts are improved for the successful implementation of resilience and D/CRM initiatives;
Knowledge culture with regards to resilience-building and D/CRM is improved.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Policy Advice and Knowledge Management;
Knowledge of the international resilience and D/CRM system and agenda;
Ability to provide inputs for the application of disaster risk management to decision-making;
Knowledge of D/CRM coordination mechanisms;
Ability to develop evidence-based policy advise;
Ability to develop planning and advocacy documents involving multiple stakeholders;
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture;
Knowledge on joint programming and operational issues;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in relevant practice areas.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead and manage corporate strategic initiatives;
Excellent computer and information system skills.

Management and Leadership

Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates advanced oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates strong team management skills;
Demonstrates excellent analytical and organizational skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Strategic thinking, strategic decision-making and proven leadership qualities and experience in management of teams and large groups;
Demonstrates capacity to communicate effectively and plan programmes effectively;
Resourcefulness, initiative and mature judgment.

Corporate Competencies:

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master) in social sciences, rural development, and management or a discipline relevant to resilience and disaster/climate risk management.

Experience:

At least 7 years of increasingly responsible international development experience;
Proven leadership and experience in planning and managing technical co-operation strategies/investment frameworks and in disaster risk management;
Extensive field experience in disaster environments and an in-depth knowledge of issues in the country;
Extensive experience in project development especially in the areas of DRM and crisis prevention and recovery;
Proven experience in project development processes, especially in the context of UNDP;
Proven experience and leadership in the development of Strategic Programming and Investment Frameworks;
Demonstrated abilities and contributions to policy and guideline formulation, resource mobilization, team leadership and management;
Experience in establishing inter-organizational networks and partnerships at the operational level; Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS word, Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handing of web based management system.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is essential.