Technical Advisor - Disaster Preparedness

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. With a mission to ensure synergies among disaster reduction activities across the UN and regional organizations, UNDRR has over 150 staff members based in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and 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 enhance disaster risk reduction. UNDRR collaborates with a wide range of partners, including civil society, the private sector, and the scientific community, to raise global awareness and catalyze action aimed at reducing disaster risks. The current project, funded by the European Commission Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), focuses on scaling up the Sendai Framework through disaster preparedness, risk knowledge, and strategic coordination, and is set to run until March 31, 2026.

Job Overview:
The Technical Advisor for Disaster Preparedness will provide substantive technical and advisory support for the implementation of project activities as outlined in the project work plan. This role involves ensuring that national and regional partners are well-informed about disaster preparedness activities undertaken by UNDRR, ECHO, and collaborating partners. The advisor will facilitate regular coordination meetings and disaster preparedness workshops, ensuring that project activities effectively integrate gender perspectives and elements of participation, inclusion, and equity. The advisor will also support project reporting as requested by UNDRR and the donor, ensuring that the humanitarian and disaster risk reduction nexus is integrated into project activities and the regional office work plan. The position requires a proactive approach to increase the inclusion and strategic positioning of UNDRR and related disaster risk reduction actions in relevant spaces, as a result of coordinated actions through the UNDRR-ECHO project EU-LAC MOU initiative. The advisor will be responsible for reporting on the progress of the EU-LAC MOU and ensuring that all relevant materials and annexes are prepared and submitted in a timely manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and technical coordination and advice for the implementation of the project "Scaling up the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction through disaster preparedness, risk knowledge, strategic coordination and key partnership engagement support" financed by ECHO.
• Support the implementation of the EU-LAC Memorandum of Understanding.
• Offer technical support for the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of activities, including organizing consultative processes and liaising with local, national, and regional Disaster Risk Reduction stakeholders in the LAC region.
• Ensure continuous communication and coordination with project partners and relevant stakeholders, including intergovernmental organizations, national and local governments, and civil society organizations.
• Develop, review, translate, and adapt relevant disaster risk reduction governance documentation to increase awareness and application of guidance and training materials on the humanitarian disaster risk reduction nexus.
• Organize relevant coordination meetings among ECHO partners and disaster preparedness workshops, including documentation collection for disaster preparedness webpages and social media.
• Support the organization and coordination of disaster preparedness thematic groups, providing technical and operational support for webinars and reports.
• Assist in project planning, monitoring, and evaluation of activities, ensuring compliance with donor guidelines.
• Identify and promote good practices and experiences at local, national, and regional levels, contributing to effective communication and visibility outreach of the project. 1
• Carry out missions related to project events and implementation as necessary. 1
• Ensure appropriate communication and visibility in accordance with donor guidelines, in coordination with UNDRR staff. 1
• Liaise with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other partners to enhance the inclusion of disaster risk reduction concepts in regional actions. 1
• Coordinate with UNDRR project managers and colleagues at regional and headquarters levels. 1
• Support activities related to the Regional Platform and Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, providing technical guidance on disaster preparedness and humanitarian nexus. 1
• Maintain effective communication and regular updates on project progress to donors, supervisors, and UNDRR staff to maximize coordination and actions. 1
• Communicate with the supervisor in a timely manner to ensure necessary remedial actions are taken.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Disaster Risk Management, International Cooperation, or related fields is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience in regional program coordination, disaster risk reduction, climate change, or sustainable development may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of five years of experience in disaster risk reduction, climate change, or sustainable development is required, with at least three years in project management or coordination. Experience working in a multicultural context is essential, and experience in disaster risk reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean within the UN system or similar international organizations is desirable. Familiarity with disaster preparedness funded by ECHO in the Americas and the Caribbean is also preferred.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Disaster Risk Management, or International Cooperation. A first-level university degree may be accepted if combined with additional qualifying experience.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of experience in fields related to disaster risk reduction, climate change, or sustainable development. At least three years of this experience should involve project management or coordination, demonstrating a strong understanding of the complexities involved in disaster preparedness and risk reduction initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish and English is required for this consultancy position. While English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, proficiency in Spanish is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the LAC region.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last from August 1, 2025, to March 31, 202

• The United Nations encourages applications from qualified women, men, and individuals with disabilities, and strongly encourages female candidates to apply. The UN does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process and values diversity among its staff.