Background

Disaster Risk Reduction:

The year of 2015 has presented a unique opportunity for UNDP and the disaster risk reduction (DRR) community, as in addition to the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction, two other global frameworks will be agreed upon in 2015: the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September and the possible successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol at the COP21 in Paris in December. This rare convergence of global frameworks that have at their core disaster risk, development and climate change respectively, has been seen as an opportunity to advance the integration across these three issues.

In March 2015, the Third UN World Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) was held in Sendai and successfully concluded with the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework).

During the WCDRR, UNDP announced the development of a new 10 year global programme entitled ‘5-10-50’, as a commitment to the implementation of the Sendai Framework. The new programme is focused on five key components (risk assessment and communication, early warning and preparedness, inclusive risk governance, resilient recovery, and urban and local level risk management) and takes integrated approaches covering disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. One of strong contributive parts of the ‘5-10-50’ programme is a Global Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction which was jointly announced by UNDP and Tohoku University during the WCDRR.

Climate Change:

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) which accredited UNDP as one of the first seven implementing entities is now ready to make funding commitments to project proposals. The GCF Board is seeking to approve the first tranche of projects for funding no later than October 2015.

Materialization of support through the GCF is seen as an important catalyst in the climate change negotiation towards the COP21 where member states aim to agree on the successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol. It is anticipated that UNDP and the Administrator Helen Clark will play an important part in the COP21, and this will once again offer an opportunity for UNDP to lobby Member States who may be sympathetic to climate change, sustainable development and DRR. Given that UNDP’s DRR and climate change adaptation portfolios are inter-linked, it is essential that UNDP engages in both areas and helps find synergies in the Sendai Framework and climate change agreement.

Post-2015 Development Agenda and Beyond:

With the issuance of zero draft of the outcome document for the UN Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda on 1 June, UNDP is leading discussions in the UN development system to prepare a new strategy for the Post 2015 Implementation called MAPS (Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support) to help Member States and others implement the new agenda. Efforts to advance the post-2015 development agenda will require a focus on several cross cutting and thematic issues which include DRR and climate change as well as water, energy, urban development, etc. that leverage synergies within and across the individual goals and targets. The MAPS Strategy aims to help national governments land the agenda at national and local levels, accelerate progress on their priorities, and make UN policy support available in an effective and coherent way. It is important for UNDP to take a lead role in the roll out of the MAPS strategy in collaboration with Member States once the new agenda is agreed.

As described in UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2014-2017, UNDP works on resilience-building with “elements that help build bridges between humanitarian, peacebuilding and longer-term development efforts, to reduce risks, prevent crises (where from man-made or natural causes), avert major setbacks and promote human security.” By commencing UNDP’s commitment to the newly adopted Sendai Framework in a timely manner and by helping policy advocacy and smooth materialization of the GCF support, it is possible that UNDP will effectively help national governments implement the Sendai Framework with integrated approaches to risk-informed development and set the tone for the COP21 negotiation towards December 2015. Particularly, UNDP will need to have the resources and capacity to (1) engage with the Government of Japan to follow up the WCDRR commitments and coordinate climate change related discussions towards the COP21, (2) work with Tohoku University to formalize and commence the joint initiative, (3) coordinate other climate change and DRR related activities in the context of the WCDRR follow-up and climate change negotiations in Japan, and (4) assist Japan-UNDP partnership to explore and guide key actions necessary after the adaption of post-2015 development agenda.  

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Responsibilities:

The BPPS/Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Cluster (BPPS/CDT) is seeking to engage the services of a consultant as a Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Liaison Officer to support the Cluster in undertaking the functions listed below.

Key Functions and Duties:

  • Act as a UNDP focal point in Japan to support and coordinate the timely implementation of the WCDRR follow-ups and other DRR related activities;
  • Coordinate formalization of the partnership with Tohoku University;
  • Lead and facilitate discussions and coordination between UNDP and Tohoku University (IRIDeS) for the timely commencement of field pilots of the Global Center for Disaster Statistics project;
  • Identify a pipeline of resource mobilization opportunities from the Government of Japan (GoJ) for a new global programme on risk-informed development and Global Centre project and prepare proposals for funding;
  • Continuously scan the policy environment around DRR, climate change and sustainable development including those in and around the post-2015 development agenda, and explore new channels for advocacy with Japanese counterparts to raise UNDP profile;
  • In collaboration with UNDP HQ, Tokyo and other colleagues, ensure the maximum support from the GoJ to secure the high-level representation of UNDP in the COP21 in Paris;
  • Support follow-ups on the GCF related discussions with the GoJ and other stakeholders in close coordination with UNDP HQ, Regional Hubs, Tokyo and concerned country offices;
  • Support membership of UNDP of the IRP; and provide any other relevant activities as required.

Main Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

The consultant is expected to produce the following deliverables within the proposed timeframe below:

  • Substantive inputs/advice in relation to partnership with Japan on DRR and climate change adaptation including the GCF related issues to UNDP Tokyo senior management as well as relevant colleagues at UNDP HQ and Regional Hubs;
  • MOU is signed with Tohoku University;
  • In close coordination with HQ and Bangkok Regional Hub, work plans are approved for field pilots of the Global Centre project; and
  • DRR project proposal(s) is developed.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
  • Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
  • Ability to set and develop a strategic vision in a complex political setting;
  • Ensures an organizational environment that respects diversity, gender equality and cultural sensitivity and fosters openness to diverse perspectives;
  • Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time;
  • Good understanding of UNDP programming modalities, particularly in crisis and post-conflict settings.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Encourages and creates mechanisms to share expertise and team approaches between field offices, Country Office and HQs, as well as with other partners and stakeholders Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside UNDP;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Management and Leadership

  • Proven ability to provide effective leadership, to manage teams, and transfer advice and knowledge to personnel at all levels and from different national and cultural backgrounds;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Effectively communicates to audiences in challenging and adversarial situations;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision;
  • Set clear performance goals and standards, and executes responsibilities accordingly;
  • Proven ability to mobilize resources as a means to promote catalytic projects and/or the scaling up of strategic initiatives.

Judgement and Decision Making

  • Capacity to work and sound decision making under situations of stress and pressure;
  • Ability to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives;
  • Solid understanding of local and international political dynamics and ability to interact tactfully and diplomatically;
  • Cultural sensitivity and adaptability, demonstrating an ability to see issues from other perspectives, communicate effectively with and relate to people of different cultures;
  • Manages and resolves conflicts with individuals and groups both within and outside the organization to achieve win-win solutions.

Results Orientation and Development Effectiveness

  • Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based programme management and reporting;
  • Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
  • Demonstrable theoretical and policy knowledge of conflict prevention, peace building and conflict sensitive development;
  • Demonstrable knowledge of an understanding of gender and human rights issues in crisis and the interface between them and conflict;
  • Knowledge of the socio-political and development situation in Colombia is essential;
  • Knowledge of the context dynamics in the designated geographical area (Nariño, Cauca and Putumayo) is desirable.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, development studies or other discipline relevant to development, DRR, and disaster recovery.

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of professional work experience in planning, implementing and managing development programmes/projects and policies preferably in the area of disaster risk reduction, response and recovery, and climate change adaptation;
  • Familiarity with UNDP’s policy and strategy for the WCDRR in Japan and its commitments to the Sendai Framework is required;
  • Experience in engaging with UN agencies and partners, particularly GoJ and Japanese stakeholders, in the context of the WCDRR in Japan is a distinct asset;
  • Knowledge and working experience of UNDP and UN system policies, rules and regulations, guidelines;
  • Experience working in an international organization, preferably in UNDP, and multi-cultural environment;
  • Experience and knowledge of organizations and financing facilities such as the World Bank, UNISDR, GCF, and other members of the International Recovery Platform is an asset.

Language:

  • Fluency in English and Japanese, both oral and written, is required;
  • Working knowledge of other UN official language (preferably French or Spanish) is an asset.

Institutional Arrangement:

  • The Consultant will be posted in Tokyo and will work in close consultation with the UNDP Representation Office in Tokyo, under overall guidance of the BPPS/CDT Director/Chief of Profession.

Duration of the Work

  • The consultant is expected to perform this assignment in 6 months beginning 15 July 2015 to 15 January 2016.
  • Travel is not anticipated in the course of this assignment but should the need arise UNDP will cover and reimburse all the travel costs including the airfare at the most direct economy class and per diem allowance/terminal expenses as per UN standard.

Schedule of Payments

  • Payments will be made on a monthly basis upon submission of timesheets and approval by the supervisor of satisfactory progress on set deliverables and upon certification by the direct supervisor. 

Recommended Presentation of Offer:

The application is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications:

Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications in UNDP Job Site (Please note that only 1 (one) file can be uploaded therefore please include all docs in one file):

  • Personal History Form (P11), indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references (the template can be downloaded from this link: www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc . Alternatively, an updated CV can be uploaded however UNDP may later request a P11 form to be completed.
  • Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable candidate for the assignment.

NOTE: Please group all your documents into one single PDF file when uploading to the UNDP Job Site because the system allows only one attachment.

Submission of Financial Proposal:

Applicants are instructed to submit their financial proposals in US Dollars for this consultancy to eeg.jobfinproposal@undp.org, using the financial proposal template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780. The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: “Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Liaison Officer" by the deadline of this vacancy.

  • In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown. (The term ‘all-inclusive shall take into account various expenses expected to be incurred by the Individual Contractor during the contract period, including professional fee; local transportation, living allowances needed while on the duty station; communications, utilities, consumables; Life, Health and any insurance, as maybe desired by the individual contractor; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions, when applicable; any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the IC. The cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where such travel is required, should be included in the financial proposal. However, if the need for official travel outside Tokyo arises this will be covered by UNDP according to UNDP rules and regulations).

NOTE: Proposals not submitted as instructed and/or received after the deadline will be rejected.

Selection Criteria for the Best Offer:

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose proposal is determined as having the highest combined score of the technical and financial scores, calculated as follows:

  • Technical criteria weight (70%)
  • Financial criteria weight (30%)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points out of 100 at the technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation.

Technical Proposal (70%) -  The breakdown of the evaluation of the technical proposal is as follows:

  • A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, development studies or other discipline relevant to development, DRR, and disaster recovery/5 points;
  • At least 5 years of professional work experience in planning, implementing and managing development programmes/projects and policies/25 points;
  • Familiarity with UNDP’s policy and strategy for the WCDRR in Japan and its commitments to the Sendai Framework for DRR/ 30 points;
  • Experience in engaging with UN agencies and partners, particularly GoJ and Japanese stakeholders, in the context of the WCDRR in Japan/30 points;
  • Previous experience and working knowledge on UNDP’s work/10 points;
  • Total Score:  100 points

Financial Proposal (30%)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: p = y (µ/z) where:

  • p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
  • y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal (30 points)
  • µ = price of the lowest priced proposal
  • z = price of the proposal being evaluated

The award of contract will be made to the individual consultant who receives the highest combined score out of the weighted technical and financial criteria as specified above.

General Terms and Conditions for Individual Consultant:

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.