Project Coordinator – Disaster Risk Communication (International UN Volunteer Expert)

Context 

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of a two-year regional project on disaster risk communication and early warning systems in Southeast Asia, implemented by the UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and funded by the European Union (DG ECHO). UNDRR is the global co-lead of the United Nations Secretary-General's Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, launched in 2022. This project is part of UNDRR's efforts to enhance early warning system coverage and effectiveness under the EW4All initiative.

The project aims to improve early warning systems in Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR, ensuring that women, girls and persons with disabilities receive timely, accessible and accurate early warning messages and can act on them to protect themselves, filling critical 'last-mile' gaps in early warning delivery. The project will be implemented at the local level in five communities in Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR, and in close collaboration with universities and civil society organizations.

Result 1 of the project includes qualitative research to understand people's risk behavior, done in collaboration with local universities. Result 2 includes the establishment of tripartite crisis communications platform at the local level with local authorities, community members and media (in collaboration with civil society organizations); capacity building around risk communications; and developing risk communications strategies and plans. Result 3 looks at exchanging best practices and lessons learned from the project and wider risk communication experience between Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, as well as Malaysia and Vietnam. Main stakeholders in the project include local authorities, national and provincial disaster management authorities, women's groups, organizations of persons with disabilities, community representatives, media and the donor DG-ECHO.

The project runs until 31 May 2027. This assignment is initially for 12 months and may be extended, based on satisfactory performance and project needs, until the end of the project.

Task description

 The UN Volunteer Expert will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the regional project on disaster risk communication and early warning systems in Southeast Asia. The UN Volunteer Expert will work closely with a National UN Volunteer (Project Officer - Disaster Risk Communication) on implementing the project and be supported by UNDRR's Risk Knowledge Officer for Southeast Asia, Gender Advisor and Disability Advisors, and other staff. The UN Volunteer Expert will perform the following tasks :

Project management and coordination :

- Coordinate the overall implementation of the project, ensuring timely and quality delivery of outputs in accordance with the project workplan, budget and donor agreement. - Lead the coordination of field-level activities with implementing partners and community stakeholders, in close collaboration with a National UN Volunteer (Project Officer - Disaster Risk Communication). - Ensure regular communication and coordination among national counterparts, local governments, civil society, and media partners. - Provide guidance to the National UN Volunteer (Project Officer - Disaster Risk Communication), ensuring effective division of responsibilities and collaborative workflows.

Operational and Financial Management :

- Oversee and monitor project expenditure. - Ensure compliance with UN financial and administrative rules and procedures in all procurement, contracting, and partnership arrangements. - Prepare documentation for grants, contracts, and agreements, including terms of reference. - Support financial reporting and forecasting to ensure transparent and efficient use of project resources.

Donor and Stakeholder Engagement :

- Act as primary liaison with DG ECHO regional and headquarters offices, providing regular updates, coordinating field visits, and ensuring donor requirements and visibility guidelines are met. - Build and maintain effective working relationships with national and local authorities, civil society organizations, and development partners, in close collaboration with a National UN Volunteer (Project Officer - Disaster Risk Communication). - Represent UNDRR in relevant meetings, workshops, and coordination forums related to this project.

Monitoring, Reporting and Learning :

- Develop and maintain systems for tracking project progress, results and challenges, including both qualitative and quantitative indicators. - Lead the drafting of narrative donor reports, internal progress reports, and knowledge products, supported by the UNDRR External Relations Officer. - Facilitate cross-country exchange and documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and innovations in inclusive risk communication. - Contribute to the visibility of the project through drafting stories, case studies, and contributions to UNDRR communication platforms.

Other : - Undertake regular travel to project sites in Thailand, Lao PDR and Cambodia. - Perform any other related duties as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. 

Eligibility criteria 

Required experience: 7 years Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Languages: English, Level: Fluent, Required Thai, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable Laotian, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable Khmer, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level: Master's degree in Social sciences, international relations, development studies, natural science, disaster risk reduction / disaster management/climate change, project management / public administration or equivalent 

Skills and experience

- Working on disaster risk reduction, disaster risk management, risk communication or related projects or programmes. - Liaising directly with institutional donors, preparing narrative and financial reports for donors and ensuring donor visibility requirements. - Managing multi-country projects. - Building and maintaining partnerships with government, civil society, and/or media organizations at local or national levels. - Ability to work with minimum supervision, under pressure and with tight deadlines. - Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with grassroots communities, women's organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, media, and authorities at different levels. - Ability to apply gender-responsive and disability-inclusive approaches in project planning and implementation, with sensitivity to cultural and contextual differences. - Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. - Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable: - Experience working with the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG-ECHO) - Experience supervising staff - Experience working in the United Nations or other international development organizations - Experience working in Southeast Asia For further information and to apply, please visit the UNV website: https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1784888021262418