Consultant - Global Task Force for Built Environment (GTFBE)

Background and Objective

UNESCO is establishing a Global Task Force for Built Environment (GTFBE) to facilitate stakeholders' multi-sectoral collaboration and share outcomes of a global mapping exercise of best practices and coordinating issues. The mission of the GTFBE is to secure the safety of the built environment against natural hazards by facilitating knowledge sharing, identifying gaps in ongoing efforts, finding strategies and solutions, and supporting and implementing initiatives based on a mapping exercise of ongoing activities and consultations with stakeholders, in line with the seven global targets outlined in the Sendai Framework for Action.

Purpose of the Assignment

The GTFBE expects the following specific outputs:

• to access/reach the latest and wide range of activities concerning the built environment on building safety that enables the sharing of information to people and organizations in need as well as easing the process of raising funds for projects in need 
• to raise awareness by identifying gaps and issues for practitioners to tackle
• to have more roles and collaboration with the private sector in DRR for the built environment
• to mainstream DRR for the built environment of government and municipalities
• to develop and disseminate localized codes and standards. 
• to provide transparent/reliable hazard and vulnerability data for improving codes and standards
• to ensure the intention of policies and regulations are fully realized in construction processes.
• to monitor progress in improving the resiliency of the built environment by formulating feasible and acceptable indicators (based on the discussion on Sendai Framework and Sustainable Development Goal).

In this context UNESCO is seeking an experienced individual consultant to support to launch the GTFBE.

Duties/Tasks and Expected Output

Under the supervision of the Chief of DRR Unit for Natural Sciences in UNESCO HQ, the individual consultant is expected to carry out the following functions: 

To define the objectives and scopes of the task force as well as the challenges or issues related to the built environment the task force will address.

1. To draft a framework of the task force based on the reviewing of existing relevant platforms and projects.
2. To draft a work plan for the task force clearly outlining the activities, key industries, and schedule.
3. To identify key stakeholders from diverse sectors to ensure a representative from different regions to capture a global perspective. To List potential partners from various domains. 
4. To identify international events, conferences, and forums related to the built environment schedule for 2024 and early 2025.
5. To reach out to identified major partners and adjust the workplans and scopes and draft Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) or other documents to finalize partnerships.
6. To finalize objectives and scopes of the task force as well as the workplan based on the discussions had with potential partners.
7. To develop a clear roadmap until the launch of the taskforce.

Timetable and Deliverables

A monthly report on the above duties/tasks and expected output for the GTFBE.

Required qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in disaster risk reduction or climate change adaptation

Work Experience

• A minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience in disaster risk reduction or climate change adaptation in UN agencies or international organizations, and strong networking skills with stakeholders.

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 (written and spoken).

Duration of the assignment

From 15 March 2024 to end of June 2024.

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 by 1st March 2024 (midnight, Paris time) at the latest.

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