Mapping Nature-based Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives and compile case studies consultant

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

Home-based/Remote

Result of Service

The consultancy will contribute to UNDRR Strategic Framework 2022-2025 Objective 3.3 on Disaster
‘Risk Reduction strengthened across the 2030 development agenda and key intergovernmental policy decisions.’

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

2 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNDRR has around 100 staff located in its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNDRR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the international strategy for disaster reduction, now the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015-2030; campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people’s lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women of all stakeholder groups in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as PreventionWeb, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the organisation of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

In the upcoming years, the strong commitment and involvement of political leadership in every country and partnerships at all levels are required to achieve the outcome set by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: “The substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries”. As highlighted by the Sendai Framework and other international agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement, a resilient future for all is only possible with an all-of-society engagement for comprehensive and coordinated action.

Building resilience, promoting disaster risk reduction and protecting the environment is a collective responsibility and challenge which calls for coordinated actions. UNDRR works closely at all levels with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders towards a global and comprehensive effort in support of country-level actions.

The goal of engaging with partners and stakeholders is to build and enable systematic engagement and action between governments and stakeholders to reduce existing risks and prevent the creation of new risks for resilient socio-economic development at the global, national and local level.

UNDRR’s work is guided by a Partnership and Engagement Strategy and directly supports paragraph 35 of the Sendai Framework: “While States have the overall responsibility for reducing disaster risk, it is a shared responsibility between Governments and relevant stakeholders. In particular, non-state stakeholders play an important role as enablers in providing support to states, in accordance with national policies, laws and regulations, in the implementation of the present framework at local, national, regional and global levels. Their commitment, goodwill, knowledge, experience and resources will be required.”
In 2022, UNDRR adopted an Engagement Strategy on Nature-based Solutions. The NbS Strategy acknowledges that the understanding of risk has changed since the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015. It recognizes the systemic nature of risks, in which one type of risk can transform into another, exposing and exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. Biodiversity loss, poor environmental management and ecosystem degradation are drivers of disaster risk and thus need to be addressed in an integrative manner through a multi-hazard perspective.

As the focal point for DRR in the UN system, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) coordinates the UN-system-wide implementation of the Sendai Framework. The NbS Strategy is one way to promote the role of nature in building resilience and reducing/mitigating disaster risks as well as integrated solutions supported by risk-informed and equitable governance, planning and investment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The work proposed for the consultancy will contribute to the operationalisation of the internal “UNDRR Engagement Strategy on Nature-based Solutions (NbS)” (hereafter: NbS Strategy) and associated Action Plan. The consultant will map existing activities and initiatives on NbS for disaster risk reduction within the UN system and the wider partner network, identify opportunities for UNDRR’s engagement in line with the NbS Strategy, as well as compile good practices on the benefits of NbS for disaster risk reduction across sectors and domains.

Specific areas of support include:
The consultant will assist UNDRR with the following tasks:

• Familiarize with relevant documents and UNDRR’s engagement to date on NbS for DRR, including the NbS Strategy, relevant UNDRR publications, etc.
• Map engagement on NbS for DRR across the UN system and other relevant partners, including relevant past and existing activities and initiatives. Highlight opportunities for partnerships.
• Develop a template to collect and present case studies and consult with relevant partners at national, regional and global levels to capture and compile relevant good practices in addition to those already captured in the Words into Action Guide on Nature-based Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction.
• Prepare a report highlighting challenges, lessons learnt and opportunities for scaling up NbS for DRR.
• Prepare a slide-deck, including talking points, of selected (at least 5) good practices highlighting the benefits of NbS for DRR, links with the NbS Strategy and opportunities for future engagement.

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s degree in Business Administration, International Relations, Economic
Development, Development Studies, Social Science, International Development, Political Science, International Relations, Environmental Management or any other relevant field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with a minimum of 2 years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

  • Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in disaster risk reduction, environmental management, nature-based solutions, climate change adaptation, resilience building and/or sustainable development or other relevant field is required;
  • Good knowledge and understanding of nature-based solutions is required
  • Knowledge of and/or experience applying relevant standards related to nature-based solutions is desired;
  • Experience in analyzing data and report writing is desired;
  • Experience in strategic policy analysis & drafting policy guidance is desired;
  • Experience in conducting consultation processes is desired;
  • Good knowledge of UN development system and interagency collaboration is desired;

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge in French and/or Spanish is desirable.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

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