Programme specialist (disaster risk reduction and recovery)

Background

Under the direct guidance of the Pacific Centre Manager, the Programme Specialist (Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery) will provide strategic direction to the disaster portfolio under the Pacific Regional Crisis Prevention and Recovery Project 2008 - 2011, coordinating closely with regional stakeholders and M/COs to ensure UNDP Pacific Centre’s comparative advantage to address identified programming gaps in disaster risk management and recovery within the Pacific Region.

Duties and responsibilities

Support to the operations of the PC and Programme management

* Support the PC Manager in the preparation of project documentation for the PC Management Committee and Project Steering Committee;
* Support the PC Manager in the preparation of quarterly and annual reports on delivery and financial management of the disaster portfolio under the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Project as part of management and reporting processes of Centre;
* Monitor and regularly report to the PC Manager on expenditure under the disaster risk management portfolio;
* Mentor and guide junior staff, and oversee volunteers and consultants working under the disaster portfolio;
* Regularly advise the PC Manager on the progress of activities falling under the disaster risk management portfolio
* Oversee and advise the PC Manager on procurement issues falling under the disaster risk management portfolio;
* Support resource mobilization, partnership building and knowledge sharing

Policy and technical advisory support in the area of Crisis Prevention and Recovery

* Provide programming direction on increasing synergies between policy and practice in Adaptation to Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction within the Pacific Region;
* Undertake high level advocacy with donors and partners to promote and identify opportunities for synergies in programming on Adaptation to Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction;
* Support the development of the Pacific regional disaster reduction and recovery strategies, in collaboration with key regional and international disaster reduction agencies, seeking the input of a wide cross section of stakeholders;
* Provide strategic direction and advice on the development of regional and national level strategies for early recovery in the region;
* Provide guidance and training to UNDP colleagues and external partners on how to mainstream gender into all levels of disaster risk management and disaster reduction planning and programming, in keeping with BCPR’s 8-Poitn Agenda;
* Facilitate an enabling environment for information sharing, knowledge generation and lessons learned on early recovery by coordinating and facilitating discussion with regional and national stakeholders on the state of early recovery interventions and lessons learned from recent experiences in the region and internationally;
* In close consultation with relevant national and regional organizations and partners, co-ordinate the development of UNDP disaster reduction and recovery frameworks, clearly articulating appropriate modalities of UNDP support to national counterparts, key disaster reduction issues to be addressed and relevant partnerships and implementation arrangements.
* Ensure that UNDP strategies have synergy with other regional strategies in areas such as adaptation to climate change, poverty alleviation, governance and gender;
* Undertake missions as required to provide technical advice on programme planning and national capacity building for early economic and social recovery interventions that clearly promote relief development linkages and are gender sensitive;
* Undertake missions on behalf of UNDP in response to disaster events to conduct local consultations with national and community authorities, bilateral donor organisations, UN system organisations and NGOs to strengthen partnerships and develop, where appropriate, common or mutually supportive early recovery programmes;
* Appraise Country Office requests for TRAC 3 Category II support in case of natural disasters and recommend where appropriate the allocation of in-kind technical resources to facilitate and plan for early recovery;
* Provide UNDP Country Offices with technical advice on programming for DRR and assist in building capacity for DRR activities;
* Identify opportunities for strengthening existing and initiating new projects that support the role of local government and civil society in DRR and formulate strategies and projects designed to facilitate UNDP’s role in strengthening the involvement of communities and local CSOs in gender sensitive and risk sensitive development planning;

Integrated regional programme delivery, knowledge management and networking

* Contribute to the knowledge and strengthening of disaster reduction and recovery in the Pacific sub-region;
* Support the regional partnership network for DRM in providing support to national governments to develop national strategies for the implementation of various regional and global disaster risk reduction and climate change frameworks;
* Work closely with other UN Agencies to advocate for risk reduction programming and the integration of DRR early recovery programmes;
* Identify opportunities for and facilitate the development of regional, sub regional and national partnerships to strengthen synergies with adaptation to climate change in the region;
* Support the coordination and development of regional mechanisms for disaster risk reduction in close collaboration with partners working on disaster risk management in the region;
* Liaise with disaster reduction advisers and relevant programme personnel in Asia Pacific Regional Centres in Bangkok and Colombo to facilitate knowledge sharing and south-south cooperation;
* Participate in UNDP knowledge networks and contribute to the global UN knowledge base on disaster reduction;

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork

* Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP
* Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time
* Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others
* Responds flexibly & positively to change through active involvement
* Establishes clear performance goals, standards, & responsibilities; manages them accordingly
* Promotes a learning environment; facilitates the development of individual and team competencies

Results-Orientation

* Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals
* Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations
* Able to provide effective guidance to junior staff and colleagues

Partnering and Networking

* Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP
* Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with regional and national partners

Innovation and Judgment

* Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems and how they relate
* Contributes creative, practical ideas and approaches to deal with challenging situation
* Strives for quality client-centered services (internal/external) when making decisions and taking action

Communication

* Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills
* Ability to convey complex information to a wide variety of audiences
* Strong advocacy skills

Job Knowledge & Expertise

* Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence
* Uses ICT and web-based management systems effectively as a tool and resource
* Is motivated & demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development & learn

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

* A Master's Degree in Social Science or discipline relevant to Disaster Reduction

Experience:

* 7 years of increasingly responsible international development experience in disaster risk reduction and recovery field
* Technical expertise in planning and managing technical co-operation strategies;
* Experience of leading advocacy efforts in disaster reduction, emergency response and post-disaster early recovery.
* Relevant experience or knowledge of the Pacific an advantage
* International recognized contributions to the theory and practice of disaster reduction and recovery through publications and contributions to professional associations and international committees or equivalent demonstrated experience at management level.
* Familiarity with UNDP work in the Asia-Pacific region at country and regional level will be an asset

Language Requirements:

* Fluency in English and knowledge of any languages of the Pacific.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.