Consultant to Support the Numerical Modelling for RAR27 at Country Level

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 aimed at reducing disasters. The organization plays a crucial role in ensuring synergies among disaster reduction activities across the United Nations and regional organizations, addressing both developed and less developed countries. UNDRR is led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG/ASG) and has a workforce of over 150 staff members based in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, as well as in various regional offices. The organization is responsible for guiding, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-203

• It actively supports both regional and national implementations of the framework, catalyzing action and raising global awareness to mitigate disaster risks. UNDRR collaborates with UN Member States and a diverse range of partners, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians, and the scientific community. The UNDRR Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean has produced two significant Regional Assessment Reports on Disaster Risk Reduction (RAR), with the first published in 2021 and the second in 202
• These reports highlight both progress and challenges in implementing the Sendai Framework, providing critical insights into disaster risk reduction financing in Latin America and the Caribbean. The findings underscore the need for integrated approaches to enhance resilience through disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies, particularly in light of the increasing economic losses associated with disaster risks in the region.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a pivotal role in supporting the development of a regional probabilistic model that addresses multiple hazards, including wildfires, while taking into account future climate scenarios, exposure levels, and vulnerability conditions. This position is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The consultant will be supervised by the Risk Knowledge Officer of the UNDRR Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean. The primary focus of this consultancy is to contribute to the next Regional Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction for the Americas and the Caribbean (RAR27). This report aims to quantify the costs associated with inaction at various levels—regional, national, and local—by reviewing the progress made in implementing the Sendai Framework and assessing disaster risk-informed sustainable development. The consultant will utilize well-established probabilistic metrics to analyze multi-hazard risks and propose methodologies to evaluate the costs of inaction, emphasizing the urgency of financing sustainable development through disaster risk reduction initiatives. The consultant's work will also involve engaging with expert technical stakeholders and peer-reviewers to ensure the robustness and credibility of the findings and recommendations put forth in the report.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including but not limited to:

• Supporting the development of a regional probabilistic model for multiple hazards, with a specific focus on wildfires.
• Conducting thorough analyses of future climate scenarios, exposure, and vulnerability conditions to inform the model.
• Collaborating with the Risk Knowledge Officer and other stakeholders to gather relevant data and insights for the model development.
• Contributing to the preparation of the Regional Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (RAR27) by quantifying the costs of inaction at regional, national, and local levels.
• Reviewing and analyzing progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework and its contributions to the 2030 Agenda and other relevant agendas.
• Utilizing probabilistic metrics to estimate multi-hazard risks and develop baseline and future scenarios.
• Proposing methodologies and approaches to assess the costs associated with inaction, using both retrospective and prospective analyses.
• Engaging with expert technical stakeholders and peer-reviewers to validate findings and recommendations.
• Ensuring that the report highlights the urgency for financing sustainable development through disaster risk reduction strategies. 1
• Preparing and presenting findings in a clear and concise manner to various audiences, including UN Member States and other partners.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a set of specific qualifications, including:

• An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in fields such as engineering, sustainable development, social sciences, disaster risk management, or a related discipline.
• Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in disaster risk reduction and the development of regional or global reports is essential.
• Proven experience in probabilistic multi-hazard risk modeling, particularly in relation to wildfires, is required.
• Experience in engaging with expert technical stakeholders and peer-reviewers is desirable.
• Familiarity with at least one United Nations agency, major government institution, or international organization that works on probabilistic risk metrics is also desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as engineering, sustainable development, social sciences, disaster risk management, or a related discipline. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree, they must also have two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience to be considered for the position.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have a substantial level of experience, specifically at least fifteen (15) years in the field of disaster risk reduction. This experience should include the development of regional or global reports, with a strong emphasis on probabilistic multi-hazard risk modeling, particularly concerning wildfires. The candidate should also have a proven track record of engaging with expert technical stakeholders and peer-reviewers, which is considered desirable for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Spanish is mandatory for this consultancy position, as these are the primary working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is considered desirable, which may enhance communication and collaboration with a broader range of stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based, providing flexibility in work arrangements. The expected duration of the consultancy is from August 3, 2026, to May 2, 202

• Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. The United Nations strongly encourages female candidates to apply, as UNDRR values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified women, men, and individuals with disabilities. Importantly, the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training, and does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.