DRR Financing Expert in Armenia

Result of Service

• Increased understanding of the direct and indirect costs of disasters on Armenia; • Strengthened capacity for assessing gaps and overlaps in public spending for disaster risk reduction and CCA in support of the implementation of the national DRR strategy; • Facilitated decision-making and raised awareness with partners; • Support in matching needs with financing options; • Supported development of a national financing framework for disaster prevention and preparedness in line with the priorities of the national DRR strategy.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

6/5/2024-6/1/2025

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. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for coordinating efforts to reduce disaster risk and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations. This consultancy supports the implementation of UNDRR’s engagement in the resilience finance sector through policy guidance materials and knowledge products relevant to the objectives of UNDRR, in particular, Priority 3 of the 2015-2030 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction on investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience. Furthermore, the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework adopted by the UN General Assembly on 18 May 2023 notes that “investments in disaster risk reduction and efforts to de-risk investments remain inadequate”, which highlights the importance of strengthening public, private and international finance for disaster risk reduction (DRR). The high-level meeting on the Midterm Review called upon States to strengthen their investment in disaster risk reduction by (i) identifying gaps in public spending on DRR and mainstreaming risk reduction into the financial framework, (ii) encouraging DRR and resilience investments by financial authorities, and (iii) developing innovative instruments and tools to finance disaster risk reduction. Investing in DRR for resilience remains one of the most significant bottlenecks to protecting countries’ sustainable development from the devastating impacts of disasters. The Sendai Framework’s third priority highlights the need for public and private investment in disaster risk prevention and reduction. Furthermore, investing in DRR is a precondition for developing sustainably in a rapidly changing climate. The consultant will be supervised by the DRR Financing focal point in the UNDRR Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, in close coordination with the UNDRR Infrastructure and Finance for Resilience Unit and the UNDP Country Team in Armenia. Building on the findings of the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework, which underlined inadequacies in DRR investments and efforts to de-risk financial initiatives, and recognizing the overlap between DRR and climate change adaptation (CCA) policies, the consultant will implement UNDRR’s comprehensive approach to help countries to identify, mobilize, and prioritise financing needs for disaster prevention through a 5-step approach: 1. Understand the financial impact of disasters: the consultant will develop an estimate of the direct and indirect costs of disasters in the target country. 2. Analyze the current financial landscape: the consultant will assess existing DRR financing flows and policies from public, private, and international sources in the financial landscape using a survey and a desk budget tagging study. 3. Identify and prioritize their financing needs: the consultant will identify and analyze DRR investment needs and rank them based on their impact and capital intensity. 4. Match their needs with suitable financing options: the consultant will advise on the most appropriate financing option for the investment needs in the local context. 5. Develop an implementation plan: the consultant will develop an implementation plan for the DRR Financing Strategy with the engagement of partners. The implementation of the comprehensive DRR financing approach will benefit from previously conducted studies in Armenia by partner organizations and will build on existing data and knowledge: • UNDRR’s internal desk study with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), using the guide on DRR and CCA budget tagging (DCBT), to assess the level of public expenditures in Armenia towards national DRR and climate change adaptation (CCA) goals. • Armenia has performed Climate Budget Tagging (CBT) as once-off exercise, as part of Climate Public Expenditure and Institutional review (CPEIR) in 2020, supported by UNDP • In 2017, Armenia underwent disaster response expenditure, supported by the World Bank, as a once-off exercise, as part of the support for financial protection against disasters caused by natural hazards. • In 2023, the World Bank also conducted a Public Expenditure Review in Armenia, which will be consulted.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or finance-related area is required. A minimum of 5 years of working experience in the field of public finance, DRR/climate finance, disaster risk management, or related fields is required. Experience in engaging with and coordinating stakeholders in a political setting is desirable. Experience in policy processes around DRR/civil protection and climate change in Armenia is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in Russian or Armenian is desirable.

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.