Closing date:

Consultant (land use planning and practices)

City/location:
Remote
Organization:
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

This job posting has closed

ISDR/C/12/2012

Background:

In 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015: Building Resilience of Nations and Communities. It aimed to achieve substantial reduction of disaster losses, in lives and in the social, economic and environmental assets of communities and countries. The implementation of the HFA since 2005 has generated significant political momentum and action around disaster risk reduction, and contributed to growing awareness, understanding and knowledge of disaster risk reduction among different stakeholders, governments in particular.

In the HFA, governments agreed to review the implementation regularly and requested UNISDR to “prepare periodic reviews on progress towards achieving [its] objectives and priorities.” Subsequently, UNISDR conducted a Mid-Term Review of the HFA in 2010-2011 through a participatory approach involving disaster risk reduction stakeholders, which concluded with eight recommendations for accelerating the HFA implementation. The Mid-Term Review also recommended that there should be a post-2015 instrument for disaster risk reduction. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 66/199 also requested UNISDR to facilitate development of a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. The Chair’s Summary of the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2011 referred to a first outline of a post- 2015 framework at the next Global Platform in 2013.

In the context of the above, UNISDR has initiated the consultation process towards the post-2015 framework on disaster risk reduction. To support the post-HFA consultation process, a set of working papers will be prepared to deepen understanding and knowledge of the issues, which are imperative to achieve substantial reduction of losses, in lives and socio-economic assets of communities and countries. Integration of disaster risk reduction into land use planning and practices is one of the working papers identified for the consultation process.

Duties and responsibilities:

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Senior Coordinator of the Post-HFA process. The consultancy aims to assess the current status of the integration of disaster risk reduction into land use planning and management of its implementation, review the adequacy of existing guidelines and tools available for facilitating risk-sensitive land use planning and implementation, identify underlying causes that contribute to the gaps between national and local government in development and implementation of disaster risk-sensitive land use planning, identify the challenges and opportunities to integrate disaster risk reduction into land use planning and implementation, and recommend a set of values and recommendations for making land use planning and management of implementation risk sensitive and resilient to disasters. The tasks are as follows:

• Study national policies and legislation, in addition to recent literature, guidelines and case studies, available on the integration of disaster risk reduction into land use planning and practices. Emphasis should be placed on land use planning and practices for the public and critical facilities and agriculture since the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action in 2005, to assess the trade-off between risk-sensitive land use planning and that which is risk-insensitive. The study will also look into underlying factors that affect the integration of disaster risk reduction into land-use planning and practices.

• Review how natural hazards were considered, and how vulnerability was analysed and how risk assessments were conducted in the existing mainstream of land use planning and practices. Special attention is required to assess the strengths and weaknesses of existing models, tools and approaches for the integration of disaster risk reduction into land use planning and practices, and identify good practices and lessons learned in sustainable land use planning and practices, such as zoning classification, environmental protection, and floodplain management.

• Identify challenges and opportunities in making land use planning and practices risk sensitive, in the context of preparing the Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

• Put forward a set of values and principles for risk-sensitive land use planning and practices from economic, social and environmental perspectives (three pillars of sustainable development) to guide coherent land planning and practices at national and local level to make land use planning and practices resilient to the risks triggered by natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods and tropical storms.

Expected Outputs:

• A draft analytical working paper will be produced at the end of the first six weeks for UNISDR comments, which will be followed by experts peer review and on-line consultations. The study will then reflect and integrate inputs received and submit the final report at the end of the eight weeks work that spreads over four months.

Competencies:

Professionalism:

• Strong background, knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles and approaches to land use planning and some knowledge of disaster risk reduction.

Communications:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Education


• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in land use planning, agriculture, disaster risk reduction or other related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the field of research in land use planning, land administration, disaster risk reduction, environment, climate change or related areas. Prior knowledge on the working of the United Nations System and its specialized agencies, fund and programmes, is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Working knowledge of French and Spanish is an advantage.

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