Result of Service

This consultancy goal is to develop comprehensive disaster risk management strategies, improve preparedness, and support vulnerable communities, ensuring more resilient urban systems and infrastructure in Armenia.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

15/01/25-30/06/25

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 150 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. At a local level, UNDRR aims to support cities in developing their resilience to disasters through the development of resilience plans, in line with Target E of the Sendai Framework. Through the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative, local actors have access to a global instrument with multiple standards and tools proposed by the partners engaged in the initiative, designed to enable cities to achieve resilience by paving the way for the development of a dedicated Resilience Strategy Action Plan for more resilient local systems. Armenia’s risk landscape is characterized by a set of unique geopolitical and environmental challenges. Located in a high-risk zone in the Southern Caucasus region, it faces numerous natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, droughts, and wildfires, as well as emerging technological risks. According to the INFORM Risk Index, Armenia is considered a country of medium disaster risk (3.9/10), with particular exposure to earthquake and river flood hazards, high vulnerability of vulnerable groups (5.4) and high level of lack of coping capacity (6.5) , while the INFORM subnational model reflects at risk regions such as Lori (High, 6.1) and Syunik (High, 6.7) . These challenges are compounded by factors such as environmental degradation and rapid urbanization, underscoring the urgency of resilient urban planning and disaster risk management strategies. The floods that affected Armenia in May 2024 were a reminder of the impacts of severe natural hazards. The flooding caused significant damage to infrastructure, homes, livestock, and businesses. The region of Lori, considered a high-risk region according to the INFORM risk subnational index, was particularly impacted, with more than 30,000 affected by the floods across at least 15 villages. The Post Disaster Needs Assessment report highlighted that vulnerable groups were affected differently. In particular, many people over 60 may face challenges of health issues and rely on social income, exacerbating their vulnerability. While immediate needs such as restoring infrastructure, re-establishing communication, and ensuring basic services were identified, the assessment showed that priority needs should be given to strengthening risk reduction and preparedness capacities in an inclusive way. The Main responsibilities will focus on the following: – Focused support to cities (consolidated communities) in the region of Lori, most affected by the 2024 floods, targeting engagement with 3 to 4 cities [to be defined, but to include Stepanavan]. Initial scorecard resilience assessments to be carried out in 3 cities, and review of the existing Action Plan in Stepanavan, while consolidating the role of Stepanavan as a resilience champion (potential involvement of MCR2030 Resilience Hub network). – Capacity building support of the National Platform MCR2030 coordination role, through a dedicated training of experts on MCR2030 coordination and scorecard assessments, as well as potential for peer learning with other National Platforms in the Europe and Central Asia region. – Collaborating with the Crisis Management State Academy to support the development of practical training material around urban resilience and MCR2030 and supporting resilience building of SMEs through the piloting of UNDRR’s SME resilience landscape study and stakeholder dialogue. The consultant will be home-based and will report to the project Programme Management Officer under the overall supervision of the Deputy Chief, within limits of delegated authority.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, public administration, social sciences, 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 project management, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, or urban planning is required. Experience in Disaster Risk Reduction in Armenia is desirable. Experience in UNDRR’s Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English and Armenian 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.