Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Expert at United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

Duties and Responsibilities

• The consultant will be based in Nairobi, Kenya at ICPAC headquarters. The duties and responsibilities of the Disaster Risk Reduction Expert are aligned to the implementation of the IGAD DRM strategy (2019-2030), Africa Roadmap for Improving the Availability, Access and Use of Disaster Risk Information for Early Warning and Early Action, including in the Context of Transboundary Risk Management and the four components of a people centered EWS at ICPAC and within member states:
• Risk Knowledge Support IGAD/ICPAC and more specifically the DRM program in the development of Multi-hazard, vulnerability, and risk assessment products at regional and national levels.
• Support/Lead the scientific and technical processes and approaches of socio-economic data acquisition, data rescue and data sharing in support of risk knowledge and EWS at ICPAC and in IGAD member states
• Support the incubation and development of disaster risk finance instruments necessary to attract investment in the climate risks and adaptation Monitoring, Impact Based Forecasting & Warning Provide technical support towards the achievement of target G of the Sendai Framework (early warning and risk information).
• Support the acceleration of implementation of recommendations of the Africa Road Map for improving the Availability, Access and Use of Disaster Risk Information for Early Warning and Early Action, including in the Context of Transboundary Risk Management.
• Work closely with DRM focal institutions of member states in hazard modelling and Impact based forecasting and risk information identification, monitoring, and early warning and early action. Warning dissemination and communication
• Contribute to the generation and dissemination of the continental, regional hazard early warning information through, inter alia, Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forums, existing products and portals/tools at ICPAC and AMHEWAS.
• Support member states on the design of dissemination and communication channels including bulletins.
• Review/Develop EWS Protocol and policies of IGAD and support members states in the establishment and deployment of EWS coordination structure in their respective countries in connection with AMHEWAS and the Africa Road Map for improving the Availability, Access and Use of Disaster Risk Information for Early Warning and Early Action, including in the Context of Transboundary Risk Management. .
• Produce and disseminate warning alerts in the IGAD region to enhance early response and anticipatory actions
• This includes the development of an end-to-end feedback mechanism for the EW and AA Promote the standardization of alerts for different hazards and harmonization of key messages in member states
• Prepare and document best-practice guidelines on increasing access to and use of early warning services by most vulnerable communities. While this may reflect gender issues, it should also address socio-economic factors that include poverty, age, education gaps, access to mobile communications, urban-rural divisions, minority ethnic groups and languages, and people with disabilities, etc.
• Response capability. Identify resources and training which would strengthen the capacity of IGAD and that of member states to effectively operate an Impact-based EWS. Support tabletop and field simulation exercises by member countries in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Promote strategies for the engagement of member states in support of regional Early warning Systems Develop mechanism, training and protocols that strengthen transboundary collaboration, coordination and dissemination of warnings and alerts for events that are likely to cross national boarders

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.
• 5 years of experiences in the areas of Disaster Risk Reduction, disaster risk management, risk assessment, hazard mapping, socio-economic or application of spatial analysis is required.
• Experience in the implementation of a regional programme in close coordination with the Disaster risk management Authorities and partners in the IGAD member states is a required.
• Experience in hazard assessment or spatial hazard mapping and analysis in the areas of drought, floods etc is a required.
• Experience in preparing training modules, planning and conducting software-based trainings on hazard and risk assessment is a required.
• Experience in risk mapping and socio-economic vulnerability assessment or be conversant with various indicators of socio-economic vulnerability mostly for flood and drought is desirable
• Experience manipulating and analyzing socio-economic and Earth Observation data in different data formats or statistical software such as R, Stata and Python is desirable.
• Experience in regional DRR implementation including financing is desirable.