Early Warning Expert (EW4All)

Result of Service

The smooth implementation of the Water at the Heart of Climate Action (WHCA) project activities identified in the country workplan with a focus on Pillar 1.

Work Location

Kampala, Uganda

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

1. General Background 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), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyses action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. Early warning systems (EWS) are key elements of disaster risk reduction, resilience building and climate change adaptation. An effective Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) includes four pillars: 1) disaster risk knowledge; 2) observation, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting; 3) warning dissemination and communication; 4) preparedness and response capabilities. The UN Secretary General (UNSG) in 2022 launched the Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/early-warnings-for-all, aimed at providing a global EWS coverage by 2027. The EW4All initiative is co-led by UNDRR and the World Meteorological Organization (who also lead Pillars 1 and 2, respectively) with two additional pillar leads: ITU (International Telecommunication Union) for Pillar 3, and IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) for Pillar 4. To facilitate dialogue among pillar leads, UN member states have been invited to nominate national focal points for each pillar, with engagement by other national stakeholders. Similarly, United Nations Country Teams have been invited to nominate focal points to help drive EW4All action at national level. Furthermore, with the funding of the Netherlands Government, UNDRR is partnering with IFRC and WMO in the implementation of the Water the Heart of Climate Action Project. The project aims at accelerating and scaling up water action to reduce risks and increase resilience in Uganda and other beneficiary countries, while contributing to the overall EW4All initiative. This consultancy will support the roll-out of EW4All in Uganda, including identifying pertinent country-led activities to be included in a national roadmap aimed at closing the gaps and advancing MHEWS in the country. The Consultant will be based in Kampala. The consultant is expected to work on a daily basis with the OPM, under the supervision of the UNDRR PMO. The assignment will include in-country travelling. Expenses (DSA, air tickets and related costs) related to the project activities will be covered by the project within the respective planned activities in line with the United Nations guidelines. Additional terms related this consultant is accessible here: https://hr.un.org/content/consultants-and-individual-contractors.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in areas relevant to disaster risk reduction, early warning, meteorology, geomatics, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • At least 5 years of experience in the areas of disaster risk assessment, early warning systems, and risk analysis relevant to EWS, anticipatory action and disaster prevention is required. • Experience with early warning/early action, including being familiar with hydrometeorological hazards (flood, drought, etc.) assessment and mapping, vulnerability assessment and weather forecast, and monitoring is required. • Experience of leading or contributing to strategy country-led development initiatives is required. • Experience in convening and organizing multi-stakeholder partnerships, events, or consultations is desirable. • Experience with at least one major government institution or international organization working on early warning/early action or disaster risk reduction/risk knowledge is desirable. • Experience in hazard assessment and mapping and experience in risk profiles/atlas preparation is desirable. • Experience with information management systems is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language 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.