Expert on Drought Triggers, Indicators and Thresholds and Anticipatory Actions in Southern Africa

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Position Title: Expert on Drought Triggers, Indicators and Thresholds and Anticipatory Actions in Southern Africa
Location: Nairobi
Country: Kenya
Deadline Date:

Job Details

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 disasters. The organization aims to ensure synergies among disaster reduction activities across the United Nations and regional organizations, operating in both developed and less developed 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 150 staff members located at 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, which is a global blueprint for disaster risk reduction. UNDRR supports regional and national implementation of this framework and works to catalyze action and raise global awareness about reducing disaster risk by collaborating with U.N. Member States and a diverse range of partners, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians, and the scientific community. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, where this position is focused, is characterized by diverse climate patterns ranging from semi-arid to sub-humid zones. This climatic variability, combined with the region's reliance on rain-fed agriculture, renders it highly vulnerable to droughts, which have severe impacts on agricultural productivity, water resources, energy supply, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. During severe drought events, communities' capacity to sustain their livelihoods is significantly weakened, leading to long-term socio-economic consequences such as increased poverty, food insecurity, and migration.

Job Overview:
The primary objective of this position is to conduct research that results in a comprehensive set of indicators, thresholds, and triggers for drought that can be utilized by SADC member states and partners to activate anticipatory actions for drought. The consultant will be responsible for reviewing existing drought indicators and indices that are currently used in the development of anticipatory action triggers. This includes analyzing indices such as the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Soil Moisture Index (SMI), and various vegetation-based indices like the Vegetation Condition Index and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. The research aims to identify the applicability and limitations of these indices in different agro-ecological contexts, which is essential for establishing a standardized drought trigger system across the region. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer at UNDRR ROA and will be home-based for the duration of the project, which is expected to last for five months. The consultant's work will contribute to addressing current gaps in drought monitoring and response frameworks, ultimately leading to a set of recommendations for a harmonized drought threshold and trigger system that can be adopted across SADC countries. This unified approach to drought management will facilitate coordinated early actions and resource mobilization, thereby enhancing the region's resilience to drought events.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to: conducting a detailed analysis of existing drought indicators and indices; reviewing the effectiveness of these indicators in the context of anticipatory action triggers; developing a set of comprehensive indicators, thresholds, and triggers for drought that can be utilized by SADC member states; providing recommendations for a harmonized drought threshold and trigger system; collaborating with various stakeholders, including SADC member states, national meteorological and hydrological services (NMHSs), national disaster management authorities (NDMAs), and organizations engaged in anticipatory action; preparing reports and presentations to communicate findings and recommendations; and ensuring that the research aligns with the objectives of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-203

• The consultant will also be expected to engage in discussions with relevant stakeholders to gather insights and feedback on the proposed indicators and thresholds, and to facilitate workshops or meetings as necessary to promote the adoption of the recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in climate science, meteorology, atmospheric science, or other relevant fields. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in any of these fields combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Additionally, candidates must have at least 8 years of experience in climate science, early warning systems, and impact-based forecasting. Proficiency in GIS and climate data analysis tools, including Python, R, and MATLAB, is required. Experience working with the SADC Climate Centre, SADC member states, NMHSs, NDMAs, and organizations engaged in anticipatory action such as FAO, WFP, IFRC, or Start Network is also essential. Furthermore, candidates should have experience in conducting regional assessments and providing recommendations on drought disaster risk reduction and resilience.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in climate science, meteorology, atmospheric science, or other relevant fields. In cases where candidates possess a first-level university degree in any of these fields, they must also have two additional years of qualifying work experience to be considered for the role. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of climate patterns and their implications for drought management and anticipatory actions.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in the field of climate science, particularly in early warning systems and impact-based forecasting. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the consultant can effectively analyze existing drought indicators and indices, as well as develop new recommendations for a harmonized drought threshold and trigger system. Candidates should also have experience working with various stakeholders, including regional organizations and national authorities, to facilitate the implementation of anticipatory actions for drought management.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Additionally, proficiency in French is considered advantageous, as it may facilitate communication with a broader range of stakeholders within the SADC region and enhance collaboration efforts.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for a duration of 5 months. Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Furthermore, the United Nations does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.