Associate Officer for Early Warning Systems

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDRR’s vision is of a world where disaster risks no longer threaten the well-being of people and the future of the planet. Our mission is to provide leadership and support to accelerate global efforts in disaster risk reduction to achieve inclusive sustainable development and the goal of the Sendai Framework. Our key objective is the prevention of new humanitarian crises and the reduction of existing disaster risk by strengthening resilience through successful multi-hazard disaster risk management.

Context

In a landmark call to action, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged that every individual on the planet be safeguarded by early warning systems within five years. This ambitious goal aligns with Target G of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, prioritizing support for the most vulnerable populations. To turn this vision into reality, the “Executive Action Plan for the Early Warnings for All Initiative (EW4ALL)” was introduced during the COP27 climate change conference held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2022.
The essence of an early warning system lies in its ability to trigger early action, making timely responses crucial to mitigating disaster impacts. Expanding on this, a multi-hazard early warning system (MHEWS) is designed to address various hazards and their potential impacts, whether they occur individually, simultaneously, cascading, or cumulatively over time. It also considers the interrelated effects of such events. An MHEWS that can issue warnings for multiple hazards enhances the effectiveness and consistency of warnings through coordinated and compatible mechanisms and capacities. This approach necessitates the involvement of multiple disciplines to ensure up-to-date and precise hazard identification and monitoring.
Within Phase 1 of the EW4ALL Initiative, a comprehensive gap analysis and implementation plan were developed to bolster Barbados’ Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS). This foundational work identified critical areas for improvement and established a roadmap for enhancing the island’s resilience to various natural hazards. The completion of this phase has paved the way for the next crucial step: securing support from donor agencies and development partners to fund the implementation activities outlined in the plan.
Currently, the focus is on negotiating and obtaining funding to transform the implementation plan into actionable initiatives. Key deliverables in this phase include the development of detailed concept notes and project proposals tailored to attract and engage potential donors. These documents must clearly articulate the strategic importance of strengthening Barbados’ MHEWS, outline the specific activities and expected outcomes, and present compelling evidence to justify the investment intended to save lives and alleviate distress.
Additionally, data and information gathering play a vital role in this phase. Accurate and comprehensive data on hazard risks, vulnerabilities, and existing capacities are essential to substantiate funding requests and demonstrate the anticipated impact of the proposed activities. This involves collaborating with local stakeholders to collect and analyze relevant information, ensuring that proposals are data-driven and aligned with both local needs and international best practices.
Through these efforts, we aim to secure the necessary financial support to implement the plan’s activities, ultimately enhancing Barbados’ ability to predict, prepare for, and respond to multi-hazard events effectively. This will significantly contribute to the broader goal of protecting the most vulnerable populations and building resilient communities in line with the EW4ALL Initiative and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer for the Caribbean Region, based on Bridgetown, Barbados, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: :
-Support in identifying potential donors and development partners interested in disaster risk reduction and multi-hazard early warning systems.
-Assist in the preparation and delivery of presentations to showcase the importance and impact of strengthening Barbados’ MHEWS.
-Contribute to comprehensive concept notes that summarize the project’s objectives, activities, and expected outcomes.
-Assist in developing detailed project proposals that include background information, problem statements, methodologies, budget estimates, and impact assessments.
-Collect and analyze relevant data on hazard risks, vulnerabilities, and existing early warning capacities in Barbados.
-Compile data into accessible formats to be included in proposals and presentations.
-Provide support to training sessions for local stakeholders on the use and maintenance of MHEWS.