Closing date:

Intern (Post-HFA Unit)

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

This job posting has closed

Vacancy number: ISDR/I/03/2012

United Nations Core Values:
Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for diversity

Background


Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk
Reduction, UNISDR has around 100 staff located in its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNISDR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action; campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people's lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as Prevention Web, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the organisation of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

In the Hyogo Framework for Action (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, the Post-HFA Unit has been recently established to facilitate the consultation process towards a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction as a continuation of the current Hyogo Framework for Action.

Organizational setting and reporting relationships


The position is located in the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) in Geneva, Switzerland. The Intern will work in close collaboration with the Senior Advisor and the Programme Officer of the Post-HFA Unit.

Responsibilities


• Keep up-to-date information regarding progress towards a Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction;
• Assist with preparation of documents and progress reports concerning the process and consultation activities;
• Support the process planning, preparation and in the organization of specific consultation activities such as online dialogues;
• Assist in the logistics of Advisory Group consultation meetings;
• Edit relevant documents and WebPages;
• Assist in preparing communication updates and announcement materials, etc;
• Perform any other duties as maybe required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Good ability to organize, plan and implement work assignments, good interpersonal skills, works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals, ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with different national and cultural backgrounds with sensitivity with respect for diversity.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, asks questions to clarify.

Qualifications


• Applicants must be currently enrolled in post graduate studies with experience in international affairs, communication, information management or related fields.
• Language: Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of other UN official languages is an advantage.

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Country and region Switzerland
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