United Nations Volunteer : Disaster risk reduction advisor
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Preamble
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development, and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers. In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities. In all assignments, UNV volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
UNV assignment title
Disaster risk reduction advisor
Type of assignment :
- Working on the project "UNDP Strategy for Recovery and Disaster Risk Reduction"
- Project's description: At the end of July 2008, heavy rainfall in the Carpathian Mountains on the border between Ukraine and Romania resulted in rising waters of the Rivers Dnistr and Prut and serious floods affected 6 oblasts (regions) in Western Ukraine (Lviv, Zakarpattya, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Vinnytsia). The total losses in the western regions are estimated at UAH 3-4 billion (approximately US$ 650-870 million). 40,703 houses and 33,882 hectares of farm land have been flooded; 360 automobile bridges and 561 foot bridges and 680 km of roads have been damaged. In response to the Government’s request for assistance, UNDP undertook an assessment of recovery and disaster risk reduction needs, which was finalized in March 2008, and formed the basis of a comprehensive strategy for UNDP to contribute to both completion of recovery efforts and, most prominently, to support disaster risk reduction measures at various levels: policy frameworks, institutional capacities and community mobilization, particularly through volunteerism.
The Government of Ukraine has manifested the intention to supplement its orientation to disaster emergency response with a strong focus on disaster risk management and preparedness, and to accelerate support to Hyogo framework implementation, which will require technical and financial support from the international community. In this context, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UNDP and the Ministry of Emergencies of Ukraine on October 30 2009, and efforts are underway to provide the adequate financial support for the strategy and its menu of projects, which have been presented to the donor community. In order to support these efforts, the UNDP office in Ukraine will be recruiting a Disaster Risk Reduction Advisor (International UNV).
Description of duties:
Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, the UNV volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Lead day-to-day management of implementation of the Strategy for Recovery and Disaster Risk Reduction.
- Lead efforts to ensure awareness raising and knowledge sharing around the issue of disaster risk reduction in Ukraine, through dialogue with different UNDP clusters, other UN agencies, national counterparts and the international community.
- Support the UNDP CO management in efforts to mobilize financial resources for the implementation of the Strategy, both within and outside the UN family.
- Draft project documents, project briefs, project budgets related to the Strategy on Recovery and Disaster Risk Reduction, for presentation to internal and external donors.
- Liaise with UNDP Bureau for Crises Prevention and Recovery, as well as UN specialized agencies in the field of disaster risk reduction, as needed for implementation of the UNDP strategy, and to promote an inter-agency approach to disaster risk reduction issues in Ukraine.
- Serve as a focal point for contact between UNDP and the Ministry of Emergencies of Ukraine, promoting continuous cooperation and exchange on issues of disaster risk reduction, as well as joint implementation of projects.
- Provide technical and policy advice to the Ministry of Emergencies and related Government structures on issues of Disaster Risk Reduction, and Hyogo Framework implementation.
- Actively promote the integration or risk reduction issues into existing UNDP projects, in particular in the context of area-based development and environment.
- Promote the integration of a gender perspective in all Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives.
- Technically support the mainstreaming of Disaster Risk Reduction into the design of the UNDAF and UNDP Country Programme Action Plan.
- Perform other tasks, as requested by CO management, in relation with implementation of the Strategy for Recovery and Disaster Risk Reduction.
Furthermore, as a UNV volunteer, the incumbent will be encouraged to:
- Promoting civic engagement and volunteerism at community level on issues of disaster risk reduction.
- Strengthening their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
- Getting acquainted with and building on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
- Reflecting on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
- Contributing articles/write-ups on field experiences and submitting them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
- Assisting with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UNV volunteers;
- Promoting or advising local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encouraging relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service.
Results/Expected Output
- At least two UNDP projects designed and initiated in cooperation with national partners and international donors in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction.
- UNDP/UN Standard Operating Procedures drafted to support Ukraine in times of disasters, including for the use of space technology through the International Charter of Space and Major Disasters.
- Increased awareness and action at national/local level on issues of Disaster Risk Reduction.
- Strengthened partnership between the Ministry of Emergencies and UNDP in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction.
- A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during your assignment such as specific quantification of mobilized volunteers, activities, capacities.
Qualifications/ requirements
Qualifications:
- A post graduate degree in Development Studies with at least 3-5 years of professional experience;
- Relevant qualification in a disaster risk management-related discipline.
Experience
- Experience in emergency response and disaster risk reduction issues;
- Experience with developing/strengthening early warning systems and contingency plans;
- Excellent writing skills, presentation and oral communication skills;
- Strong PC based computer skills, Microsoft applications (in particular, Word, Excel and PowerPoint);
- Sound leadership and management skills and experience;
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work with limited or no supervision;
- Ability to communicate and work effectively in close coordination with many individuals, groups and divisions to complete tasks;
- Previous background in institutional environment of development cooperation (NGOs, UN system, multilateral cooperation, etc.) with preference given to candidates with experience in UNDP procedures;
- Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in Russian or Ukrainian language an asset.