Disaster risk management analyst

Job # 110467

Background / General description

Natural disasters are a main source of risk for the poor, and present a serious obstacle to achieving sustainable social and economic development. Disasters affect the poor most severely; measures taken to manage hazards and reduce their impact provide an effective vehicle to make substantial advances in the fight against poverty. Since 1980 the World Bank has lent more than US$26 billion for projects related to natural disasters. The Bank has been a leader in providing reconstruction assistance, and is working actively to integrate risk reduction into its development strategies and projects so that all development activities contribute to reducing hazard impacts in our client countries.

The countries of East Asia and the Pacific are among the most vulnerable in the world to the physical, social, and economic effects of disasters. The Asian continent and the Pacific Islands represent only 30 percent of global landmass, but have sustained over 50 percent of all recorded disaster events (UNISDR, 2009). The East Asia and Pacific Disaster Risk Management (DRM) team supports country-led DRM programs and investments, maintains the World Bank’s leading role in research and knowledge sharing of disaster risk management practices and helps improve the quality of Bank lending across multiple sectors by building disaster resilience into core investments. Country Focal Points for Disaster Risk Management in each country are supported by the EAP DRM team in Washington DC, the network of experts working across the region on disaster management issues, and by the regional Quick Response Team in the event of an emergency.

The overall DRM Portfolio in EAP is about US$ 1.5 billion. Amongst others, the EAP DRM portfolio comprises of over 20 Technical Assistance projects for which funding has been received through GFDRR Trust Funds. It is anticipated that GFDRR funding for EAP region will increase during 2011, allowing it to advance the Country DRM Programs further, in particular strengthening country institutions for DRM, making investments in EAP disaster and climate resilient, support countries to prepare for and recover efficiently in the event of a disaster, and manage the contingent financial risks from disasters and climate change.

The East Asia Region’s Disaster Risk Management team is seeking to recruit a DRM Analyst to provide support the overall EAP DRM Program.

Duties and Accountabilities

General:

This is a one year term position (DRM Analyst) to work in the East Asia and Pacific Region Disaster Risk Management Team. The DRM Analyst, based in Washington DC, is expected to provide effective and high quality administrative and program support to the EAP DRM Team. The DRM Analyst will have responsibilities primarily in two areas: DRM Program support and Event Planning and Coordination.

(1) EAP DRM Program Support

(a) Progress Reporting and Monitoring:

- Working closely with the team, update the progress made in implementation of the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) funded TAs in GFDRR’s Result Based Management System and the East Asia Sustainable Development Department (EASSD) Portal.

- Prepare progress briefs (regular and ad-hoc) on the overall EAP DRM portfolio.

- Prepare analytical/lessons learned/ good practice briefs as necessary based on the EAP portfolio on disaster risk management.

(b) GFDRR Upstream Tasks

- Work closely with GFDRR Upstream Review team for making DRM and CCA a strategic priority in Country Assistance Strategies, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs), national development plans and sector strategies of EAP region.

- Contribute to the overall DRM Results agenda working closely with GFDRR Results team.

- Portfolio Maintenance and Analysis: Develop and maintain, in consultation with the GFDRR Secretariat, a project information management data base for country specific programs to enable easy access to consolidated information needed from time to time to prepare country or regional briefs.

(c) Supporting the DRM Programs

- Support the EAP DRM team on implementation of GFDRR’s Track I Work.

- Support the EAP DRM team with project-related Track II work, including drafting terms of reference and proposals, reviewing documents, and processing grant agreements.

- Provide operational support in the event of an emergency in the region, by participating in emergency response activities like the performance of damage and loss assessments.

(2) Event planning and coordination:

- Event planning, coordination, travel, and logistical arrangements for meetings, seminars, workshops, Brown Bag Lunches, video/teleconference, training and major events with external partners and clients.

- Support the organization of the regional training events.

(3) Others

- Perform other duties and functions as assigned by the EAP Regional Coordinator for DRM

Selection Criteria

- Advanced degree in Economics/Public Policy/Environmental Science/Disaster Risk Management International Relation, and/or related field.
- At least three years of experience in the areas related to disaster risk management
- Deep familiarity with GFDRR processes and procedures
- High degree of motivation, initiative, flexibility, reliability, and responsiveness to changing demands; capacity for effective multi-tasking, with demonstrated ability for being an independent starter with minimal supervision
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and advocacy skills
- Effective team working skills and ability to work effectively across organizational and unit or sectoral boundaries.
- Excellent analytical and writing skills.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.