Programme officer, International Recovery Platform (IRP) knowledge management, L-4 (re-advertised)

Re-advertised: Original closing date: 7 Aug 2008
Extended from 8 Jan to 28 Jan 2009

Background:

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human and economic and social losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations. In adopting ISDR, the United Nations General Assembly (Res/54/219) endorsed the establishment of an institutional framework for its implementation consisting of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction (IATF/DR) and the inter-agency secretariat (ISDR secretariat).

The main functions of the secretariat are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR, 18-22 January 2005, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) took place and represents a landmark in worldwide understanding and commitment to implement a disaster risk reduction agenda. This commitment was captured in the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters adopted at the WCDR.

The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction in the coming years and it constitutes an unprecedented conceptual shift that takes account of the complexity of action in disaster risk reduction and the large variety of actors whose inputs are required in the pursuit of this objective. It provides the basic concepts and prescribes and expected outcome; details three strategic goals for disaster risk reduction and a set of five priority areas for action; and assigns tasks to stakeholders at difference operational levels to reach the expected outcome.

The International Recovery Platform (IRP) is a thematic platform of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) system and as such, a key pillar for the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). The IRP was initially established by UNDP, UNOCHA, UN/ISDR, and ILO with the support and encouragement of Japanese Government. The IRP acts to address the gaps and constraints currently experienced in the context of disaster recovery and functions as an international source of knowledge on good recovery practice.

The IRP consists of partner organizations and a broader community of practice. Its efforts focus on mainstreaming a culture of prevention, mainly by promoting and facilitating the adoption of appropriate recovery practices by disaster-affected populations and their governments with a particular focus on high risk/low capacity countries.

The IRP Secretariat, situated in Kobe, Japan, plays a central role in supporting the IRP Partner Organizations and in actively ensuring the viability and relevance of the IRP Community of Practice. Among its functions, IRP coordinates the development and oversees the implementation of the IRP annual workplan; it supports the organization of IRP meetings and events such as an annual international recovery forum; it acts as an advocate for resilient recovery; and, through the IRP website, serves as a steward of IRP knowledge management and output by developing an effective knowledge network, promoting and supporting an active dialogue amongst members of the IRP Community of Practice, collecting existing tools and documentation, generating and maintaining knowledge management products with IRP partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement and evaluate assigned programmes, etc; monitor and analyze programme development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiate corrective actions; liaise in particular with the UNDP/BCPR, World Bank/GFDRR, ILO and other relevant partners; ensure follow-up actions. (i.e. the IRP knowledge management function through developing an effective knowledge network, generating and maintaining knowledge management products with IRP partners and providing the IRP community with tools, documentation, codification, and analysis for knowledge products, mainly through the IRP partner network.)
• Coordinate IRP knowledge management function as a useful international clearing house and an effective tool for good recovery practice mainly through IRP website and in close communication with IRP partners; collect information and knowledge products; conduct research and web document searches; enhance networking; identify gaps in recovery knowledge; promote the use of building back better approaches.
• Liaise and communicate with IRP partners; to identify appropriate knowledge products and tools for post-disaster recovery; to identify appropriate advisors/experts/contacts to respond to IRP network demands in order to fill identified gaps; to enhance IRP network by actively engaging with relevant partners.
• Contribute to the development of the IRP community of practice through providing support for knowledge sharing and networking; the further development of IRP network and organization of practice events and initiatives.
• As the important product of the IRP knowledge management function, prepare and coordinate the thematic report of the IRP to the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction with close coordination with the IRP Kobe Team and ISDR secretariat’s focal point for the Global Review.
• Liaise with the ISDR Information Management Unit for technical coordination between, and for the appropriate links between the PreventionWeb and IRP website.
• Pursue new IRP partnerships with key recovery stakeholders such as governments of donors and high-risk countries, regional and international organizations.
• Act as the secretary for the IRP Steering Committee with the IRP Kobe team, and support to the chair of the IRP Steering Committee including organizing regular meetings of the IRP Steering Committee and preparing the agenda, background documentation, and report for these regular meetings
• Work with the IRP Kobe local team to provide regular progress reports to the Steering Committee on the activities on the IRP as Platform with close collaboration.
• Coordinate with the IRP Kobe team for the development of the annual IRP work plan in close consultation with IRP partners, monitor the status of its implementation, and ensure its linking with the ISDR joint work programme.
• Cooperate with the IRP Kobe team for the organization of the annual international recovery forum,
• Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, and thematic platforms of the ISDR system (climate change, environment and recovery) etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Research, analyze and presenting information gathered from diverse sources.
• Organize and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Lead and/or participate in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting summaries, etc.
• Perform other duties as required.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:

The position is located in the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), in Kobe, Japan (UN/ISDR Hyogo Office) under the overall guidance of the Director and reporting to the Senior Programme Officer for the UN/ISDR Hyogo Office. S/he will work in close consultation with the IRP Steering Committee, and in close collaboration with the UNDP/BCPR.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

Staff at all levels, within UN/ISDR, IRP community and disaster risk reduction community as well as national counterparts. Representatives of other UN agencies and other UN specialized agencies; member state personnel with responsibility for disaster risk reduction; non-governmental organization representatives; and representatives and officials in national governments, international and regional organizations, IFIs, and research institutes.

Results Expected:

Development of the IRP network and enhancement of the IRP knowledge management function as a thematic platform of the ISDR system. As such the results will contribute to the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action and advocate for a sustainable reduction in disaster risk. At the same time, the result will facilitate joint and coordinated action by international, national and sub-national recovery actors in the further development of resilient recovery knowledge and practice. Implementation, monitoring and evaluation of assigned programme and initiatives. Provision of thorough, well reasoned contributions (e.g. background papers, analysis, sections of reports/studies, inputs to the IRP Web and IRP publications, etc.) Development and maintenance of effective working relationships. Efficient use of resources.

Competencies:
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of the ISDR system and the Hyogo Framework for Action; knowledge of disaster risk reduction and recovery; Knowledge of inter-disciplinary and cross-cutting development issues; shares and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UN/ISDR and UNDP networks. Builds strong and trustful relationships with partners and focus on impact and results for the partners and responds positively to feedback. Ability to work effectively in a team with a sense of responsibility for the overall results. Integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards.

Communication: Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally. Ability to articulate options concisely.

Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with respect for diversity.

Leadership: Ability to supervise, and support development.

Planning and organizing: Demonstrated planning and organizational skills and ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Technology Awareness: Solid computer skills. Commitment to continuous learning: Willingness to keep abreast of new development in the field. Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive and constructive attitude. Client orientation: Ability to identify clients’ needs and appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients. Gender mainstreaming: Provide leadership and take responsibility for ensuring appropriate attention to both gender balance and geographic representation in staffing and to incorporating gender perspectives into the substantive work.

Qualifications:

Education: Advanced university degree in social sciences and development-related fields with a background in post-disaster recovery, disaster risk management, geography, environment management, urban and regional planning or similar relevant subject, or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area.

Experience: At least 7 years progressively responsible, including management experience, in the areas associated with this post, such as information management, information coordination of experience in managing disaster recovery programmes, knowledge networking and management, and knowledge of disaster and/or post disaster settings; disaster recovery programme experience at country level desirable. Experience in the UN system an asset.

Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of French and/or Japanese is desirable. Fluency in additional official UN languages is an asset.

Other skills:
Excellent ability to quickly grasp and synthesize inputs from a range of sources related to natural disaster management; proficient in using the prevalent computer applications (word processing, spreadsheet, presentations, project planning, e-mail, graphics); excellent communication and interpersonal skills, team oriented work style, interest and experience of working in multi-cultural environment. Basic knowledge of relevant institutional mandates, policies, guidelines. Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system.

This post is subject to availability of funds.

Applications from qualified female candidates and from nationals of non- and under-represented countries are particularly encouraged. Diploma of completed University degree may be requested in due course. Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration.