Technical specialist, disaster risk reduction and management

Background

Following the new UNDP CPD 2012-2016 and the UNDAF for 2012-2016, the five year programme support document (PSD) on disaster risk management (DRM) in Malawi is fully aligned to the Hyogo framework for Action (HFA) and its 2009 and 2011 revisions comprised in the Global Assessment Reports and MGDS-II (2011–2016). Key areas targeted include: (1) strong linkages between poverty and population vulnerability to disaster shocks; (2) Disaster shocks, damages and losses; (3) institutional and policy landscape; (4) UN coordination mechanism in DRM and DRR; (5) risk profiles; and (6) implications of climate change, variability, and adaptation to socio-economic development.

The PSD will aim at achieving the outputs of: (a) Disaster risk management is mainstreamed in national development plans, policies and programmes; (b) Data and knowledge on the impact of natural disasters collected and made accessible to decision makers in Government, Private Sector, Civil Society, development partners and communities; and (c) Coordination mechanisms and implementation arrangements for DRM/DRR established and used at national level and in the 15 disaster-prone districts.

In the new PSD, the concept of disaster risk management includes the spectrum of disaster risk reduction, preparedness, risk mitigations, and early recovery response. This is in line with and will operationalize the new national Disaster Risk Management Policy, which is likely to be approved by Cabinet in 2012, and which was developed with UNDP assistance

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme), and under the day-to-day supervision by the ARR of the DRR/environment unit of the UNDP country office in Malawi, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Advisor will be housed in the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), under the Office of the President (OPC). The adviser will provide expert advice to support the development, implementation, coordination and management of the new DRM programme; institutionalize and maintain donor intelligence, strategic partnership and resource mobilization; and undertake advocacy and IEC. The advisor will work alongside the OPC staff to support capacity building and on the job learning on a day to day basis.

Duties and responsibilities

Provide top-notch expertise and advice to UNDP and DoDMA / OPC with regard to development of policy, regulations, methodologies and working instruments in the fields of disaster risk reduction and management, and other related areas:

• Thorough analysis of the governance, political, and socio-economic situation of the country, esp. considering the current Government’s DRM policy processes;
• Technically contribute to the development of poverty-orientated policies, national strategies and legal instruments in the fields of DRM in partnership with strategic partners and in the different national sectors;
• Identification of strategic and innovative areas of cooperation with interested development partners in supporting DRM;
• Strategic review of the Malawi’s DRM system and in particular support the strengthening of disaster risk reduction and enhancing preparedness, e.g. the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT);
• Support the elaboration of guidelines, methodologies, manuals and supporting documentation relevant to DRM and the new DRM Policy;
• Support the development of methodologies and guidelines for the integration of cross-cutting issues particularly in relation to gender; and
• Skills transfer and capacity development in DoDMA through trainings, on-the-job coaching, briefings and study sessions, etc.

Strengthen the capacity of DoDMA / OPC for the implementation, management, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the new DRM programme and DRM Policy:

• Support DoDMA in assuming leadership and strategic oversight of the planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the new DRM programme, in line with the new DRM Policy;
• Effective application of the Results-Based Management (RBM) tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring and achievement of results;
• Provision of strategic advice in the formulation, implementation, and revision of the operational planning and budgeting system for the new DRM Programme ensuring its alignment with existing Government planning and budgeting instruments;
• Support the effective operation of the government’s DRM coordination structure as well as the UN inter-agency HCT mechanism, based on the new Policy and revised Disaster Preparedness Act;
• Ensure effective monitoring and impact evaluation of the new DRM programme and introducing adjustments to programme design and implementation strategies as/when necessary in consultation with key stakeholders;
• Support the development of reporting systems and the elaboration of consolidated annual progress reports for the new DRM Programme;
• Support the recruitment of technical advisors and short-term consultants for reviewing and evaluating their impact and contribution to the Programme; and
• Support effective liaison and coordination with UNDP and other National Programme Partners (actual and potential) to ensure a coordinated, harmonized and integrated approach which guarantees ongoing financial and technical support for its development and consolidation.

Ensure effective management of the new DRM programme focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation, monitoring, implementation, and reviews:

• Leadership and guidance in the implementation of the DRM programme including not only UNDP-financed programme but also the activities to be carried out through other development partners;
• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring and achievement of results;
• Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the DRM programme, tracking use of resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations, as well as policies and procedures;
• Effective monitoring, measuring the impacts of the DRM programme on a regular basis. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely adjustments of programme;
• Team work with the government colleagues, as well as with colleagues in the country office and the UN system;
• Contribution to the learning initiative in the government as well as in the UNDP CO, and to the knowledge management initiatives, particularly for government and UNDP.

Facilitate and maintains strategic partnerships and resource mobilization:

• Development of partnerships for achieving effective resource mobilization to achieve programme outcomes;
• Establishment and coordination of partnerships with UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors, government institutions, organized private sector, CSOs and other stakeholders;
• Contribute to the sector working group (SWG) to help bridge the potential gap between the government and development partners;
• Preparation of briefings on possible areas of cooperation and identification of opportunities for cost-sharing;
• Contribution to the establishment of cooperation and inter-change between national and sub-national institutions and key national and international stakeholders; and
• Technical support and expert advice in the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and reviews of the UNDAF, UNDP country programme, and the UN Joint Programmes and Programming for UNDAF outcome 1.3 and 1.4.

Undertakes advocacy and information, education and communication (IEC), focusing on:

• Facilitating a process of creating and raising the level of awareness on issues emerging in the fields of DRM;
• Successes and best practices generated and communicated, with the aim of informing the national-level policy and political dialogue in the fields;
• Providing specialist advice on a timely basis to UNDP and the UN System on significant policy measures being considered or implemented by the Government in the fields of DRM;
• Creating high-level advocacy on relevant development policies and programmes in relation to DRM across the representatives of top echelon of the country’s stakeholders;
• Determining appropriate media for reaching out to the public and design strategies for reaching target groups;
• Support the development guidelines and methodologies for the dissemination of information to local communities in a simplified form; and
• Promotion of South-South collaboration in support for exchange of information and experience with other countries.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Technical knowledge

- Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the issues and challenges related to disaster risk management.
- Exhibits a good knowledge of institutional development and capacity development issues.
- Displays process, transparency and accountability in the country.

• Development and Operational Effectiveness

- Ability to lead and contribute to strategic planning, change processes, results-based management, work planning, and reporting.
- Ability to formulate and manage budgets, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
- Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.
- Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.
- Ability to mobilise resources and undertake cost-recovery.
- Ability to implement new systems and effect behavioural and attitudinal change.

• Knowledge and Information Management and Learning

- Facilitates a knowledge and information sharing and learning culture.
- Has good knowledge on UNDP programme and operational issues.
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
- Has knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programme in disaster risk reduction.

• Management and Leadership

- Builds strong relationships with stakeholders and clients, focuses on impact and results for clients, and respond positively to feedback.
- Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates capacity to communicate effectively; resource management; capacity to plan and organize programmes effectively.
- Demonstrates resourcefulness, initiative and mature judgment.
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
- Patience to work under pressure and maintains positive outlook and humour.

Required skills and experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in Disaster Risk Management or a related field.

Experience:

• At least 7 years practical experience on a similar position in DRM at international or national level.
• Experience in developing countries, preferably in the Africa region.
• Thorough knowledge of legislation and policies related to DRM, as well as international and regional discourse on DRM.
• Comprehensive knowledge, experience, and record of achievements in providing quality advisory services to governments in disaster risk reduction and management and related issues is essential.
• International experience in institutional capacity building on DRM.
• Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to analyze and articulate complex issues that require a coordinated UN response is critical for success.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems.
• Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement.

Language Requirements:

• English