Data Consultant for Risk Information for Syria

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) was established in December 1999 and serves as the designated focal point within the United Nations system for coordinating efforts to reduce disaster risks. The organization aims to ensure synergies among disaster reduction activities across the United Nations and regional organizations, operating in both developed and developing countries. UNDRR is led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG) and has a workforce of over 160 staff members based in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, as well as in various regional offices. The organization plays a crucial role in guiding, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supporting both regional and national implementations of the framework, and catalyzing actions to enhance global awareness about disaster risk reduction. UNDRR collaborates with UN Member States and a diverse range of partners, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians, and the scientific community to achieve its mission.

Job Overview:
The Data Consultant for Risk Information for Syria will be primarily responsible for supporting the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Syrian Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management (MoEDM) in enhancing national coordination around data and increasing risk knowledge. The consultant will work from a home-based location in Damascus, Syria, and will report to the Deputy Chief of Office or a delegated staff member. The role involves aggregating and synthesizing national statistical data, executing data validation and quality assurance protocols, developing digital data collection templates, leading data gathering and strategic research, managing GIS data integration, authoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and coordinating cross-functional inputs among stakeholders. The expected outcome of this consultancy is to strengthen the national risk knowledge repository and enhance visibility for Syria's disaster risk reduction efforts. The position is expected to last for 12 months, with the possibility of extension for an additional 11 months.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Aggregating, structuring, and synthesizing national statistical data from the Planning and Statistics Authority and the Central Bureau of Statistics to establish a baseline for disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategy development.
• Executing data validation, quality assurance, and formatting protocols to ensure compliance with Sendai Framework Monitor (SFM) reporting standards and integration into the DELTA-Resilience platform.
• Developing, calibrating, and piloting digital data collection templates for Loss and Damage assessments, ensuring integration of demographic disaggregation layers such as gender, age, disability, and displacement.
• Leading comprehensive data gathering and strategic research to map existing capacities, identify vulnerabilities, and document gaps across designated governorates to inform early warning initiatives.
• Managing GIS data integration, spatial analysis, map formatting, and advanced visualization to support geographic risk assessments.
• Authoring and finalizing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including standardization of technical documentation and reporting taxonomy.
• Managing the deployment and technical execution of training sessions, including curation of instructional materials and participant engagement analytics.
• Populating the national risk knowledge repository to ensure optimal data categorization and long-term knowledge management.
• Coordinating inputs among core stakeholders to ensure technical cohesion and quality control across project deliverables. The expected deliverables include a monthly progress report on deliverables.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires several qualifications and skills, including: • An advanced university degree in Communications, International Relations, Public Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field is required. • A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. • A minimum of 3 years of work experience in risk data management, statistics, risk information, research, or policy coordination is required. • Proven experience in organizing high-level national workshops or multi-stakeholder consultations is essential. • Familiarity with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and humanitarian-development-peace collaboration is desirable. • Experience in supporting international technical experts is highly desirable. • Experience working within the Syrian public sector is also highly desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Communications, International Relations, Public Administration, Social Sciences, or a related discipline. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of disaster risk reduction and the associated data management processes.

Experience:
The position requires at least 3 years of relevant work experience in areas such as risk data management, statistics, risk information, research, or policy coordination. Candidates should have a proven track record of organizing high-level national workshops or multi-stakeholder consultations, demonstrating their ability to engage with various stakeholders effectively. Experience with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and collaboration across humanitarian, development, and peace sectors is also beneficial. Additionally, familiarity with the Syrian public sector will be considered a significant advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English is required for this position, as these are the primary working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy position is expected to last for 12 months, with the possibility of an extension for a maximum of 11 additional months. It is important to note that due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Furthermore, the organization does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.