Risk Knowledge Consultant for the Caribbean Region

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) was established in December 1999 and serves as the 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, 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) 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 plays a crucial role in guiding, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, while also supporting regional and national efforts to reduce disaster risks. UNDRR collaborates with a wide range of partners, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians, and the scientific community, to enhance global awareness and action towards disaster risk reduction. The Caribbean region, characterized by its vulnerability to hydro-meteorological hazards such as hurricanes and flooding, is a key focus area for UNDRR's initiatives, particularly in light of the increasing risks posed by climate change. The organization is committed to fostering resilience and disaster preparedness in Caribbean nations through various programs and initiatives, including the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Initiative, which aims to strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems and improve disaster risk knowledge across the region.

Job Overview:
The primary objective of the Risk Knowledge Consultant position is to significantly enhance the resilience and disaster preparedness of Caribbean nations by developing and strengthening national and regional Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS). This role involves ensuring comprehensive risk data ecosystems, fostering multi-sectoral collaboration, and promoting inclusive, sustainable, and well-coordinated approaches to disaster risk reduction and management. The consultant will work closely with National Disaster Risk Management Organizations (NDRMOs) to establish enhanced risk information management systems, ensuring that methodologies for data collection and analysis are effective and congruent with national stakeholders' needs. The consultant will also facilitate dialogue among regional and national stakeholders, members of the United Nations Country Team in various Caribbean countries, and other important partners. The position is home-based and is expected to last for 18 months, during which the consultant will contribute to the implementation of the CREWS Caribbean 2.0 initiative, focusing on improving disaster risk knowledge at regional, national, and community levels. This includes developing quality risk data, enhancing disaster risk management data platforms, and strengthening the capacities of NDRMOs for impact-based forecasting and data analysis. The consultant will also be responsible for mapping vulnerable populations, updating emergency public shelters data, and modeling potential impacts of hazards on emergency shelters, thereby ensuring that all communities, especially the most vulnerable, have access to timely and actionable information.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks aimed at supporting the implementation of the CREWS Caribbean 2.0 initiative. Key duties include:

• Leading the preparation and establishment of a Caribbean-level regional risk knowledge workshop, which involves developing the concept note, logistics note, agenda, and workshop report.
• Guiding NDRMOs on enhancing or developing information chains for MHEWS, articulating the process from data collection to analysis that supports impact-based forecasting by NDRMOs and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) in at least four Caribbean countries.
• Providing technical guidance for integrating local-level risk knowledge within the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR 2030) initiative through a desk review of existing exposure, vulnerability, and risk assessments in applicable cities.
• Offering technical support for Risk Knowledge activities in Caribbean countries, aligned with UNDRR's risk knowledge offerings, including safety function monitoring (SFM) and disaster tracking systems (DTS).
• Developing multi-hazard risk scenarios for selected countries based on available hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and risk data.
• Supporting the Department of Emergency Management and Coastal Zone Management Unit in Barbados with the integration and interoperability of the National Coastal Risk Information and Planning Platform (NCRIPP) and Disaster Risk Information Management System (DRIMS), including documentation of quality control and assurance through an operationalized Geographic Information System (GIS) database and server.
• Mapping vulnerable populations in selected Caribbean countries engaged in the EW4All Initiative using information from various stakeholders.
• Updating the emergency public shelters shapefile for Barbados with exposure attributes and modeling potential impacts of flooding and high wind hazards on these shelters.
• Strengthening and/or developing disaster risk data management systems in selected target countries and contributing to the Caribbean Risk Information System (CRIS). 1
• Fostering collaboration among national and community-level multi-sectoral platforms for disaster risk reduction and management, particularly in discussions related to MHEWS, data-sharing, and standard operating procedures. 1
• Liaising with UNDRR Headquarters and Regional Offices to facilitate streamlined communication across country officials and regional and global partners. 1
• Raising awareness and promoting advocacy for the CREWS Caribbean 2.0 initiative at regional and country levels, including sharing information products, convening meetings, making presentations, and engaging in media outreach and communications.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a first-level university degree in disaster risk reduction, climate change, sustainable development, or other related fields. Additionally, candidates must possess at least four years of experience in disaster risk management, with a strong emphasis on working with national stakeholders in areas such as disaster risk management, climate change, early warning systems, and the identification of vulnerabilities and exposures. Experience with information management systems is considered desirable, as it will enhance the consultant's ability to effectively contribute to the role.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a first-level university degree in a relevant field such as disaster risk reduction, climate change, sustainable development, or other related areas. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of disaster risk management and the various factors that contribute to vulnerability and resilience in the Caribbean context.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have a minimum of four years of experience in disaster risk management. This experience should include working with national stakeholders and engaging in activities related to disaster risk management, climate change, early warning systems, and the identification of vulnerabilities and exposures. Familiarity with information management systems is also desirable, as it will aid in the effective implementation of the consultancy's objectives.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of additional languages such as Spanish, French, or Portuguese is considered desirable, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with a broader range of stakeholders in the Caribbean region.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for 18 months. The United Nations strongly encourages female candidates to apply, as the organization values diversity among its staff. Applications from qualified women, men, and people with disabilities are welcomed. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Additionally, the organization does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.