The Consultant will support the implementation of UNDRR’s programme, projects and activities in African lusophone countries related to early warning and early action, risk assessment and mapping, risk informed planning, disaster risk reduction and resilience building. The consultant will lead the organization of workshops, capacity building activities, technical on site and remote assistance.

Work Location

Maputo - Mozambique

Expected duration

6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses, and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyses action, and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk, working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians, and the science and technology community. This consultancy position is under the UNDRR Regional Office for Africa, supervised by the Programme Management Officer – Early Warning Systems. The position is physically located in Mozambique with travel expected to Angola, based on project needs. Duties and Responsibilities: UNDRR is seeking a qualified and experienced consultant to assist the implementation of Early Warnings and Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives in Lusophone countries in Africa. The consultancy will deliver the following: 1. Assist in the development and implementation of UNDRR’s programme and activities in Lusophone countries (Mozambique and Angola) related to early warning and early action, risk information and disaster risk reduction and resilience building, including liaising across the UN system and with national and local governments. 2. Works with regional organizations AUC, SADC, SHOC, ECCAS, ACMAD, AGRHYMET, ECOWAS to leverage their services for improving national capacities and connect national systems AMHEWAS. 3. Lead the organizations of workshops and capacity building initiatives on early warnings, risk assessment and mapping, risk governance, in Lusophone African countries 4. Assist national organizations in developing risk assessment and mapping, including disaster loss tracking system, reporting to Sendai Monitoring Framework. Support in establishing system and procedures for early warnings and early actions protocols, analysis legal and institutional frameworks and organize simulation exercise 5. Support national and local authorities in improving risk governance mechanism, local resilience, strengthening partnership with academia and research centre, including engagement with the Africa Network of Centre of Excellence for DRR. The assistance will be provided on site and remotely to ensure continuous engagement of national, subnational and regional organizations and partners. 6. Prepares various written outputs, project reports, substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. 7. Participates in or lead field missions as well as drafting mission summaries.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in areas relevant to Disaster Risk Management, Climate Science or Disaster Risk Assessments is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Five (5) years of experiences in the areas of Disaster Risk Reduction, early warning, disaster risk management, risk assessment or hazard mapping is required. Experience in hazard assessment or spatial hazard mapping and analysis in the areas of drought, floods, etc. is desirable.