Resource economics advisor

Purpose

This purpose of this position is to assist in the development of DRM National Action Plans (NAP) for Pacific Islands Countries (PICs) through the provision of research and economic analyses of national disaster incidents and disaster risk management interventions.

The position also provides support to the Senior Adviser, NAP Unit in the coordination of NAP development and implementation exercises in PICs.

Nature and scope

1. Reporting Relationships

The Resource Economics Adviser is one of a total complement of 17 staff of the CRP responsible to the Manager. There is no one subordinate to this position.

2. Role of the CRP

The overall goal of the Community Risk Programme is to strengthen Disaster Risk Management (DRM) practices within countries in the region by providing effective and coordinated support by SOPAC and other partners.

This goal is drawn from the SOPAC Strategic Plan 2005 – 2009 and is closely aligned to various regional and international instruments endorsed by Pacific island countries in the area of disaster risk management. Of specific relevance to the CRP are the Pacific Plan and Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005-2015 which support and advocates for the building of safer and more resilient communities to disasters.

The Pacific Plan specifically calls for the development and implementation of policies and plans for the mitigation and management of natural disasters and similar to the Regional Framework for Action, which was endorsed by Pacific leaders in 2005, provides a basis for the implementation of various initiatives by the region and each individual country in terms of DRM, or more specifically disaster risk reduction and disaster management.

In relation to disaster management the CRP provides assistance to the region by collaborating with relevant partners in terms of the provision of technical advice and support for the preparedness, response and recovery measures of each country.

In terms of disaster risk reduction, the CRP also provides technical advice and support to help countries manage risks by identifying and analysing the sources of risk and to develop mechanisms to prevent or mitigate against such risks through the application of a combination of technological, policy, legislative and administrative solutions.

The CRP Work Programme is aligned to and modeled in accordance with the SOPAC Strategic Plan. It has 3 programme components as follows:

Component 1 – Strengthening Resilience to Disasters

Component 2 – Mitigating the Effects of Hazards

Component 3 – Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management

Each of the specific work projects or priorities under taken by CRP staff are categorized under each of the 3 Components.

3. Role of the NAP Unit

The National Action Plan Unit (NAPU) of the CRP has the responsibility for providing SOPAC and ACP member countries with advice and support to develop and implement DRM National Action Plans in line with the Pacific Plan and the Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005-2015.

The NAPU works in collaboration with members of the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Partnership Network (Partnership Network) to provide the advice and support and also interacts regularly with other units in CRP and across SOPAC to deliver against its responsibilities.

4. Role of the Position

The incumbent provides assistance to the Senior Adviser, NAPU to facilitate the development of National Actions Plans in collaboration with members of the Partnership Network.

Typically this assistance will cover research into background issues pertinent to NAP exercises such as the compilation and analysis of economic data and information on PICs, the development of country DRM Situation Analysis/Profiles, the actual facilitation of NAP processes, reporting on NAP progress in terms of both development and implementation, and on occasion some general administrative support in terms of logistics for NAP exercises. In this regard the incumbent will work closely with representatives/focal points of organisations in the Partnership Network.

A significant responsibility of the position is to act as the SOPAC focal point for the Pacific DRM Partnership Network and in this regard to ensure the regular and accurate monitoring of Partnership DRM activities and the periodical dissemination of this information to relevant regional and international stakeholders such as the National Disaster Management Offices using facilities such as the quarterly Footprints publication as well as the Pacific Disaster Net (www.pacificdisaster.net), and; provide logistical and administrative support to the Senior Adviser NAPU and Manager CRP for the annual Partnership Network meetings.

The incumbent may also be required on occasion to deputise for the Senior Adviser NAPU during any periods of absence.

5. Role of Subordinates

Not applicable.

6. Interpersonal Relationships

Internal

The incumbent liaises regularly with the Senior Adviser on the progress of work within the NAP Unit. The incumbent also meets regularly with the Programme Assistant in relation to travel arrangements and other administrative requirements. There are also regular meetings which the incumbent must participate in to support the work of the unit and of the CRP.

The key internal contacts are:

-  Senior Adviser, NAPU
-  Manager CRP
-  CRP Programme Assistant and CRP technical staff
-  Personnel of other SOPAC Programmes

External

The incumbent liaises intensively with external stakeholders, largely in relation to the development of NAPs. These contacts range from those organisations and individuals that are directly a part of the NAP development process as well as those that contribute to the research that underpins the country engagements.

Key external contacts are:

-  SOPAC country representatives
-  Heads of National Disaster Management Offices in the Pacific
-  Scientific research and technical agencies
-  Academic institutions and professional bodies
-  Members of the Pacific DRM Partnership Network.

7. Challenges and Developments

The major challenge of this position is to provide competent advice and support to the Senior Adviser and the CRP Manager in relation to NAP activities, the Partnership Network and the various country representatives, as a result of thorough analyses of data and information pertaining to the DRM characteristics of PICs.

Other specific challenges which face the Adviser are:

Understanding the cultures within the Pacific region: It is important that the incumbent maintain a good understanding of the cultures and their respective traits as ignorance of these may hamper CRP work efforts.
Working as a team. There are many demanding requirements of work within CRP and this requires a dedicated team effort.
CRP staff shortages: This may affect the ability of incumbent to pursue work priorities.
Support for Consultants: The incumbent will need to support the work of consultants that may be engaged from time to time to assist with NAP development and/or implementation.
Regular Travel & Health Issues: The Adviser will be required to travel regularly and extensively and will thus be demanding on the individual in a physical sense. The travel may also subject the incumbent to the possibility of many health hazards such as malaria and dengue fever, non-potable water supplies and poor sanitary facilities.

8. Authority Level

The position does not hold any specified expenditure authority level.

9. Reporting Requirements

The incumbent is required to report regularly to the CRP Manager through the Senior Adviser against the progress of work assigned to the NAP Unit under the CRP Work Programme. Such reports are also linked directly to the SOPAC Performance Management System.

In addition to technical NAP research reports and internal CRP reporting requirements the Adviser will assist the Senior Adviser, NAPU in compiling reports for external consumption particularly with regard to the progress of work on NAP exercises. These reports are:

-  Progress report to the Pacific Islands Forum Meeting
-  Progress report to the Finance and Economic Ministers Meeting
-  Progress report to the Pacific Plan Action Committee
-  Progress report to the meetings of the Pacific Platform for DRM
-  Regional Disaster Managers Meeting (annual)
-  Pacific DRM Partnership Network (annual)
-  DRM/Finance-Planning CEOs (biennial)
-  Progress report to SOPAC Council Meeting
-  Progress report to the EU Pacific Delegation
-  Progress report to the ACP Secretariat

10. Principal Accountabilities

The principal accountabilities for the position are as follows:

1. NAP Support

Assist in the coordination of NAP exercises in PICs by providing advice and support as may on occasion be required.

2. Research & Economic Analyses

Facilitate high quality research and economic analyses of DRM interventions of PICs by providing direction and supervision of staff within the NAP Unit and others co-opted to support.

3. Support for Pacific DRM Partnership Network

Facilitate regular reports and communications to Partners and other stakeholders and execute administrative and logistical support for annual and other meetings to help ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the Partnership Network.

4. Skills Transfer

Facilitate the transfer of skills to key counterparts in regional countries to enhance NAP development through the provision of informal training, guidance and mentoring.

5. Supervision of Consultants

Assist in the supervision of consultants that are assigned or engaged under the CRP to ensure the purpose of assignment/engagement is achieved within the approved frame of reference.

6. Reporting

Adhere to all reporting requirements in an accurate and timely manner to facilitate individual accountability within CRP and to contribute to CRP’s greater accountability within SOPAC.

7. SOPAC Policies & Regulations Compliance

Ensure compliance with all relevant policies, regulations and administrative directions to contribute to the good governance of the CRP and SOPAC.

11. Knowledge/Skills/Experience

-  A working understanding of resource economics and how it contributes to disaster management and economic development. To this end, applicants should have either:
      - Formal qualifications in economics and several years experience in applying economic analyses preferably in disaster; OR,
      - Formal qualifications in a disaster risk management-related discipline.
In either of these cases, the applicant would be expected to have several years experience in overseeing or conducting relevant economic research.
-  At least 5 years experience in policy development and in providing policy advice in and to developing countries preferably in the Pacific.
-  Experience and/or an in-depth understanding of the prevailing international and regional disaster risk management issues and concerns and the mechanisms and instruments.
-  Good understanding of the cultures and the working environments of member countries and the ability to be proactive in developing new ideas to serve and to address the needs of member countries.
-  Fluency in written and spoken English to communicate with member country governments and other regional and international organisations. Knowledge of other languages and demonstrated work in multicultural environments is an asset.
-  Strong PC based computer skills, Microsoft applications (in particular, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
-  Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work under limited or no supervision.

Selection criteria

In addition to having the above knowledge, skills and experience, applicants will be assessed based on interview performance and work sample and the following other requirements:

-  Aptitude for the provision of high quality service
-  Clarity, confidence and articulateness in both oral and written communication
-  Strong analytical skills and the ability to master new material quickly
-  Ability to guide others effectively
-  Ability to set priorities successfully in order to meet tight deadlines
-  Ability to be proactive in seeking to develop new areas of work within identified objectives and strategies
-  Ability to work effectively in a cross cultural environment
-  Willingness to undertake frequent travel both within and outside the region