Expert in Critical Infrastructure Resilience in Moldova

Result of Service

Development of a final report, recommendations, and implementation plan for strengthening infrastructure resilience. This includes an overview of policy gaps, risks, vulnerabilities, and current resilience practices, as well as inter-dependencies in infrastructure systems in Moldova, and recommendations for strengthening governance structures, investment options, and other priority areas for enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure systems in Moldova.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

15/05/24 – 15/11/24

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), 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 catalyzes 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. This consultancy supports the implementation of UNDRR’s engagement in the infrastructure resilience sector through assisting in the development of policy guidance materials and knowledge products of relevance to the objectives of UNDRR. Since its establishment UNDRR has advocated for and supported a wide variety of stakeholders to understand the importance of resilient infrastructure, particularly critical infrastructure, and supported efforts to increase investments in resilient infrastructure globally. With the adoption of the Sendai Framework in 2015, UNDRR increased emphasis on the topic, as one of the seven global targets measures reductions in damage to critical infrastructure through building resilience. UNDRR further scaled-up focus on the topic following the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction 2017 Declaration. This momentum was further strengthened with the launch of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) at the Secretary General’s Climate Summit in 2019. UNDRR was a founding member of CDRI and currently supports its efforts throughout. At COP28, UNDRR and CDRI developed and launched a methodology that aims to facilitate the assessment process of a country’s current state of infrastructure resilience, so that potential areas of improvement may be identified. Responsibilities: The consultant will be supervised by the UNDRR Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, in close coordination with colleagues in the UNDRR Infrastructure and Finance for Resilience Unit and UN Country Team in Moldova. The consultant will work closely with relevant expert(s) including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Moldovan government, Moldovan infrastructure stakeholders, UN agencies, and development partners, and assess the level of infrastructure resilience in Moldova, applying the Global methodology for infrastructure resilience review. The Global Methodology is being implemented in other countries globally through UNDRR Regional Offices. The consultant will be encouraged to exchange information on the experiences and best practices with other Regional Offices and their experts in implementing the infrastructure resilience review process, and to utilize this information in his/her work in Moldova. UNDRR will share all relevant and available information with the consultant at the beginning of the consultancy. The consultant’s efforts will include: a. Research and analysis of current existing institutional arrangements, policies, legislations, regulations, risk assessment practices, and activities around resilience of critical infrastructure at the national level. b. Organizing a local stakeholder process, including consultations with governmental representatives and infrastructure stakeholders to best identify needs and requirements. c. Gathering data and performing analysis (including through open-source datasets). d. Running UNDRR’s infrastructure stress test and Principles of Resilient Infrastructure scorecard tool. e. Drafting a preliminary report including chapters on critical infrastructure stakeholders, an assessment of infrastructure policies and regulations, and data on infrastructure vulnerabilities, exposure, and stressors. f. Organizing workshops and consultations with stakeholders. g. Drafting an implementation plan and policy recommendations agreed with stakeholders. h. Collaborating with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), using analysis and findings to support their workstream on the identification of a pipeline of priority adaptation investments and policy interventions. i. Developing a final report (based on an initial preliminary report) with findings from the whole resilient infrastructure review process that uses the UNDRR/CDRI global methodology. j. Preparing communication and outreach products including supporting stakeholders and national focal points in their engagement in international events, including the Europe & Central Asia Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024. k. Developing a short document outlining lesson learned and recommendations based on the Global Methodology and its implementation process in Moldova.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, civil engineering, architecture, urban planning, infrastructure resilience, disaster management, or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with at least two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five years of working experience in the field of infrastructure resilience, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, or related areas is required. Experience in engaging with and coordinating stakeholders in a political setting is desirable. Experience in policy processes around infrastructure management in the Republic of Moldova is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in written and spoken English and Romanian are 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.