Analysis On Building Regulation In 5 Countries In Latin America (Locally Based) - UNESCO

Latin American countries are at risk of disasters caused by geological and climate-related hazards, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. The human and economic losses after related disasters can be of extraordinary proportions. Of those hazards, earthquakes hit regularly in Latin American and the Caribbean countries and produce the most devastating disasters in terms of mortality. Most of the lethal incidents after an earthquake are caused by the collapse of buildings. Policy tools for securing buildings safety need to be feasible to be implemented by the national government, municipalities, private sector, and population. The economic feasibility and social acceptance, as well as the historical and geographical context, need to be considered in the development of regulations and policies. There are cases in which earthquake-prone countries do not implement appropriately regulations and policies. Another major problem relies on the fact that earthquake risk reduction (DRR) policies and laws do not always consider informal settlements, where most of the damages and losses occur.

UNESCO is implementing earthquake DRR project Capacity Building for Disaster Risk Reduction in the built environment in Latin America and the Caribbean (2020-2023, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Mexico, and Peru). This project is being conducted with the south-south cooperation and with the collaboration of Japanese experts. The Project has 4 main components :

1. Secure safer new buildings (small-scale houses) in Guatemala, and Haiti supported by Mexican experts.
2. Secure school facilities safety (using VISUS) in the Dominican Republic, supported by Peruvian experts.
3. Strength existing buildings (detailed assessment for mid stories buildings) in Cuba, supported by Mexican experts.
4. Develop risk informed policymaking (DRR policy review in 5 countries – Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Cuba Mexico, and Peru).

UNESCO seeks the services of an experienced individual consultant/service contract holder to support the office on the component 4 with the following functions:

• Monitoring and documenting all policy tools related to earthquake DRR in each target country.
• Identification of gaps in policy tools on earthquake DRR among the targeting countries.

Under the supervision of the Chief of DRR Unit for Natural Sciences in UNESCO HQ, the individual consultant/service contract holder is expected to perform the following functions:

a) Monitor and document all policy tools related to earthquake disaster risk reduction in the five countries. The selected candidate l will monitor and document all policy tools related to earthquake DRR in Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico, and Peru. The documentation shall include seismic performance (e.g., building codes, self-construction guidelines), planning (e.g., land-use regulations), building control systems, maintenance planning, building materials, license systems for professionals, retrofitting policies, financial incentives, databases related to buildings, training to professionals in the different construction steps (e.g., building design, inspection, construction), and other policy tools. His/her method of evaluation/review needs to involved desktop analysis and a questionnaire directed to national stakeholders and related to each policy tool. To perform this, the incumbent t will:

• Develop the list of items to be collected and analysed on the policies
• collect information based on the list above
• If needed, collect additional information through desktop analysis and interviews.

(b) Identify gaps in policy tools related to earthquake disaster risk reduction among the target countries.

The selected candidate will identify the elements to be ameliorated and strengthened on the policy side by comparing national policy tools between the five target countries. He/she will exchange lessons from the implementation of national regulations, among stakeholders and international experts, to find practices possible to replicate in the target countries. To perform this, the incumbent will:

• Map the policy tools for each target country and analyze the information collected.
• Extract issues and lessons related to the implementation of policy tools on earthquake DRR for each target country
• Identify good practices from other countries.
• Develop the training materials targeting policy makers on earthquake DRR enabling policy

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, or other related fields such as disaster risk reduction.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in local, national, or international level on earthquake DRR in Latin America and the Caribbean region.
• Experience in developing policy recommendations for DRR.
• Experience in developing work plans.

Skills/Competencies

• Good analytical, organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skill.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proven ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and persuasively with different stakeholders at all levels, within and outside the organization.
• Capacity to build and maintain effective working relations with national and local authorities, relevant institutions, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
• Ability to work effectively and maintain effective working relations within a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to manage heavy workloads and to meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to details.
• Solid IT skills including knowledge of office software.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English and Spanish (written and spoken).

How to apply

To apply, please send your application of a technical proposal that consists of up to date curriculum vitae and an approach and methodology for the assignment, a workplan (brief) and the amount to be charged for the assignment in US dollars or in euros. Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in English. Please send the application to drr@unesco.org before 24 August 2022 (midnight, Paris time).

Please note that only pre-selected candidates will be contacted.