Disaster risk management and climate change adaptation specialist

Job no.: 110166

Introduction

These TOR are for a Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation Specialist, funded by the World Bank under a Multi-Donor Trust Fund of the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR): Track II.

Background

The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) is a partnership of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) system to support the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). The GFDRR is managed by the World Bank on behalf of the participating donor partners and other partnering stakeholders.

The work of the GFDRR is divided into three tracks. Track I consists of financial support to the secretariat of the ISDR system (the ISDR Secretariat) and is managed by the ISDR secretariat. Track II is directed at mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in country development processes to ensure that risk assessments, risk mitigation, risk transfer, and emergency preparedness are incorporated into in all strategic plans and programs. Track III supports primarily low-income countries for accelerated disaster recovery and risk reduction in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

After having initiated operations in 54 countries during its first three years, the Facility is currently deepening its engagement in 31 disaster-prone countries, of which 22 are IDA or IDA eligible. In these countries the Facility has developed comprehensive disaster risk reduction programs to broaden technical assistance over the next 3 years, which also provide strategic guidance to reduce disaster risks in the countries.

GFDRR follows a business model that falls in line with OP8.00, and combines ex-ante support and ex-post assistance with a full range of innovative instruments for disaster risk reduction that include generating and sharing of tools, methodologies and knowledge in the areas of (a) disaster risk governance (b) disaster risk assessment (c) disaster risk mitigation (d) disaster risk financing (e) climate risk adaptation, and (f) post disaster needs assessment. Under the overall guidance of a high level Consultative Group (CG) of donors, UN and World Bank, co-chaired by World Bank Sustainable Development Vice President and currently the Government of Japan, GFDRR Secretariat at the World Bank headquarters manages the global operations of this partnership under the ISDR system. In addition, the GFDRR is at the epicenter of all disaster reduction and recovery operations inside the World Bank. Each region at the Bank has nominated a Regional Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Coordinator who manages all DRM-related operations in the region, advises the country teams, and contributes to the GFDRR Secretariat’s corporate strategy and partnership programs.

The World Bank has adopted a climate risk management approach to development, which calls for development that is resilient to both present-day variability and projected climate change. The Bank's work on adaptation spans project and analytical work, development of tools for climate data dissemination and mapping as well as screening for climate risk to projects, and pilot insurance programs for protection against weather climate. The World Bank is paying considerable attention to the social dimensions of climate change, including also its possible ramifications for social tension, conflict and migration.

While the World Bank is in the process of developing a stakeholder based Strategic Framework for Climate Change and Development (SFCCD), the World Bank has started work to climate proof it's lending portfolio and is at the regional level in the process of developing and rolling out regional climate change strategies and business plans to build resilience in countries. GFDRR contributes to the World Bank’s climate risk management approach through provision of technical and financial assistance for disaster risks and climate change impact assessment, development and implementation of national disaster risk reduction strategies in countries prone to extreme impacts of climate change and variability.

The World Bank has, since October 2006, provided Technical Assistance to the Government of Madagascar in Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management. This assistance has focused on facilitating links between national champions in key Government Agencies (CPGU at Prime Minister’s Office; BNGRC at Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of Finance and Budget; Ministry of Transport and Meteorology; Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries; Ministry of Environment, Water and Forestry and Tourism; Ministry of Decentralization; Ministry of Public Works; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Health; and other key institutions) and international centers of excellence, and strengthening national capacity on several key areas:

- Analysis of key climate trends (temperature, rainfall, cyclone and climate variability indeces), both past and future – with U. of Cape Town (completed in March 2008, under TFESSD and ProVention assistance).
- A feasibility study for index-weather crop insurance (associated with droughts) – completed in December 2006 under Netherlands and TFESSD assistance.
- A study of rice sensitivity to climate change (with IRRI), under TEFSSD assistance.
- Review of mechanisms for financial risk transfer in collaboration with IIASA, under TFESSD and ProVention assistance. As a spin-off of this assistance, the Government launched, in April 2008, a US$1.12 million Technical Assistance Grant (Track II) from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery to Mainstream Risk Management in Economic Development. This 3-year Technical Assistance focuses on four major components:

1. Risk Assessment, including further cyclone, drought and inundation modeling, and the production of a risk atlas for Madagascar.
2. Risk Mitigation, based on the introduction of cyclone-proof norms and standards to all major public infrastructure.
3. Risk Financing, including the adoption of risk transfer mechanisms (potentially a contingency fund).
4. Emergency Management, including harmonization of early warning systems, and training of trainers for emergency response. Major achievements to date have included the finalization and dissemination of cyclone-resistant building standards for all exposed regions of Madagascar, and initial pilot work towards a risk atlas. Furthermore, two engineers were able to obtain their Master Degrees at UNESCO-IHE (Delft) and have now returned to assist Madagascar in developing strengthened safety standards for major infrastructure in the transport and irrigation sectors. Despite the political crisis, work is also expected to resume soon on establishing a national contingency fund, and deepening mechanisms for risk transfer which may make Madagascar less vulnerable to recurrent disasters.

Madagascar is one of GFDRR focus countries, and one of the most vulnerable countries in Africa. As such, it should soon prepare a DRM Country Plan and become eligible to receive follow-up DRM assistance under Track II. This should complement a GEF LDCF project targeting adaptation to drought in the Greater South, which is planned for FY11, as well as the on-going programs on social infrastructure funds (FID) and rural development (PSDR) which have traditionally included provided disaster relief in, respectively, social infrastructure and agriculture livelihoods restoration.

Duties and Accountabilities

Supervision and Reporting

The Disaster Risk Management Specialist will work under the technical and operational guidance of Ms. Sofia Bettencourt, Lead Operations Officer and Mr. Jean-Christophe Carret, Senior Environmental Economist of AFTEN, with a reporting line to the Africa Regional Coordinator for DRM. While the duty station and main focus will be Madagascar, the National DRM and Climate Change Specialist is also expected to provide periodic assistance to the Comoros DRM program and potentially assist with DRM support in the Seychelles and Mauritius.

Specific duties

1. Oversee national DRM program implementation

a) Participate (and gradually take over) the management of all in-country aspects of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation country program portfolio in Madagascar.
b) Support the preparation and implementation of the DRM and Climate Change Adaptation country program, including the preparation of an assistance program to reduce cyclone, drought, and flood hazards, reducing vulnerability, increasing capacity and improving early warning and response: participate (and eventually lead) in preparation and supervision missions, and maintain the day to day dialogue with the Government and partners, identify and resolve implementation bottlenecks.
c) Support incorporation of DRR and CCA in the World Bank portfolio, especially in new lending operations in relevant sectors (in particular in transport, rural development, environment and commune development. Assume responsibility in providing technical guidance to task teams on specific possibilities for mainstreaming DRR and CCA.
d) Measure results in DRR and CCA operations: Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of project progress to ensure the attainment of objectives through sound implementation. Assume responsibility that in-country reports are developed, reviewed and updated on the RBMS and for special outreach to targeted stakeholders in a timely manner.
e) Coordinate the preparation of consolidated progress reports, project briefings and other relevant monitoring information to inform clients, donors, Directors and DRR partners in an organized manner and with adherence to the Bank’s quality guidelines, and assist with the program management as necessary.
f) Assist in the organization and facilitation of meetings and workshops, conference calls and correspondence related to DRR and CCA operations, facilitating effective communication between partners, keeping calendars, work plans and contact lists updated
g) Liaise regularly with GFDRR specialists and the Regional DRM Team to discuss the progress and implementation of activities and assessment of disaster risk reduction programs and needs.

2. Manage a comprehensive in-country sectoral dialogue with key stakeholders and support government leadership in this dialogue

a) Strengthen in-country partnerships and coordinate with relevant agencies, academia, the UN, and donors relating to project activities. b) Advocate for cross-sectoral platforms to review and improve risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the Bank’s CAS as well as in the Madagascar Growth and Development Strategy c) Advocate for and strengthen capacities in-country of key line ministries mainstreaming DRR and CCA into their programs. Support integration of DRR and CCA across the portfolio by assisting task teams on demand in identification and project preparation d) Represent GFDRR where required and appropriate in internal and external meetings and deliver presentations on the WB program on DRR and CCA. 3. Contribute to knowledge management by preparing lessons learnt and best practice pieces based on Track II portfolio opportunities. a) Participate in the development of knowledge products related to i) risk assessments, ii) the interface of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, and iii) the use of spatial solutions, visualization practices, GIS, and remote sensing in disaster risk management and iv) risk transfer, mitigation and preparedness. b) Promote and facilitate knowledge exchange and dissemination in disaster risk management and climate change adaptation between countries, sectors and regions. c) Provide timely and quality inputs into GFDRR’s Knowledge Management System. Assume accountability that in-country reports are developed, reviewed and updated in the internal system in a timely manner.

Outputs

Substantial contribution to DRM Country Plans

# Assistance to the Government in preparation of GFDRR Stage I and Stage II Track II proposals, and activation of resulting Trust Fund documents
# Supervision Aide Memoires and ICRs (if required)
# Procurement monitoring and clearance (through PROCYS), including E-Consult2
# RBMS Bi-annual reports
# Budget monitoring through SAP
# DRM Reviews of Project Documents (Concept Notes, Project Appraisal Documents, Environmental and Social Assessments…),
# DRM Reviews of Country Assistance Strategy, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, Policy Notes;
# TORs for consultants, workshops and mission related to DRM activities;
# Minutes of workshops and meetings;
# Assistance to Government in preparation of updated work plans and procurement plans,
# Power point presentation

Selection Criteria

# Master’s Degree or higher in a relevant discipline with focus on natural hazards, GIS, environmental engineering and/or natural resources management.
# At least five years of relevant experience in the areas related to disaster risk reduction, response and recovery, climate change, natural hazards, humanitarian affairs, vulnerabilities, or disaster risk management. Field experience in disaster risk management and humanitarian efforts in Madagascar will be an advantage.
# Experience managing or supporting implementation of development assistance projects, with preference for experience with World Bank projects in Africa
# Experience working in an international environment.
# Familiarity with knowledge products related to disaster risk reduction and experience working in post disaster situation is desired..
# Fluency in English, highly developed communication and advocacy skills, including the ability to write concisely and clearly in English.
# Proven ability to maintain professional relations with Government officials, development partners and implementing agencies
# Ability to work in a fast track environment, with efficiency, competence and integrity with people of different cultural background.