Result of Service

The consultant will contribute to an enhanced policy environment for disaster risk reduction and the institutional capacity to deliver early warning systems that have a strong integration of gender equality, disability, and social inclusion.

Work Location

Vientiane, Lao PDR

Expected duration

15 Mar-30 Sep 2024

Duties and Responsibilities

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG/ASG), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses, and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. It supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. One of the UNDRR’s strategic areas of work in Lao PDR is to support the country’s efforts to strengthen disaster risk governance, particularly, to develop, implement and finance national and local strategies and plan to promote concrete actions for climate and disaster risk reduction across multiple development sectors. The key responsibilities under this assignment are to: – Collaborate closely with MoLSW/DSW to gain a thorough understanding of the specific needs and priorities in drafting National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Action Plan 2024-2030. – Take lead and provide technical guidance to Ministry of Labor and social Welfare (MoLSW)/ Department of Social Welfare (DSW) in the development of National DRR action plan which has a strong integration of Gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) priority actions, and that is in sync with relevant national and global strategies, policies, and guideline for climate and disaster risk reduction, including National Adaptation Plan (NAP). – Work closely with the GEDSI expert who will be working to support gender equality, disability and social inclusion into the national DRR action plan 2024-2030. – Liaise with the Department of Climate Change under Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) who takes a lead on NAP, to establish synergies between NAP and DRR Action Plan. The consultant will be based in Vientiane, Lao, PDR and work closely with UNDRR’s Climate and Disaster-Resilient Development Specialist based in Vientiane, Lao PDR under supervision of Programme Management Officer, UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. On a daily basis, the consultant will closely collaborate with DSW/MoLSW, the secretariat of Central Disaster Management Committee (CDMC), and will also engage extensively with other line government agencies and development partners mostly at national level. Specific Tasks: – Coordinate with MoLSW, CDMC, UNDRR, development partners and other concerned stakeholders, and prepare an inception report that outlines the process and tentative methods, workplan for developing national DRR action plan 2024-2030. – Lead the task to ensure timely execution of activities and assure the quality of the activities and reports, while also providing regular reporting to MoLSW and UNDRR. Coordinate team members and concerned individuals and prepare a detailed work plan. – Conduct a desk review of relevant legal and policy instruments, including laws, policies, strategies, and plans on DRR, gender, and disability at the global, regional, and national levels. – Closely engage in and understand the process of the development of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) led by the Department of Climate Change under MONRE to identify the points of synergies and interlinkages with the DRR action plan. – Design and facilitate stakeholder consultation processes, including technical and consultation workshops, to gather feedback from concerned stakeholders. – Prepare technical workshops concept note and translate in both Lao and English languages as appropriate. – Support MoLSW and UNDRR in organizing multiple workshops and consultation meetings, as necessary. – Draft the national DRR action plan in both Lao and English languages and contribute on GEDSI integration guiding tool for early warning – early action and submit them to DSW, MoLSW. – Finalize the national DRR action plan 2024-2030 and submit in ready to print version in both Laotian and English languages.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in natural resources management, environmental science, climate change, gender and development, disaster risk management, or related field is required. A first-level university degree with at least 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least 5 years of relevant experience in planning and managing, disaster risk management/disaster risk reduction, emergency response, or early warning system projects/programs is required. Experience in disaster risk reduction on the ground and at the strategic level, and country specific knowledge of disaster risk reduction governance and disaster preparedness and response systems are required. Experience in working with the government of Lao PDR in formulation of government policies, strategies, action plans, or framework in relation to disaster risk management, climate change, gender, disability, or any other relevant field at national or sub-national governments is desirable. Experience working within the UN system or any other similar international organization in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness and response, humanitarian development-peace collaboration, response, recovery, gender, and disability is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in Laotian and English language is required.

Additional Information

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.