DRR Specialist –Integrating DRR into Shelter Response

Result of Service

Through technical advice and support, UN entities and partners are enabled to engage in DRR as part of humanitarian response operations. (UNDRR Work Programme Deliverable 3.3.4: Support Provided to Scale-Up Disaster Risk Reduction in Fragile and Humanitarian Contexts).

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

15 Sep – 15 Mar 2025

Duties and Responsibilities

About UNDRR 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 UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. Background and Context Madagascar is one of the 10 most disaster-prone countries in the world, exposed to a variety of natural and man-made hazards. Four main hazards affect the country almost every year: cyclones, floods and hurricanes, drought. Environmental degradation, including a high level of deforestation strongly linked to habitat-related activities, can exacerbate the frequency and impact of these risks. The Madagascar Shelter Cluster (Groupe Sectoriel abri/habitat) is a response coordination platform that supports the Government of Madagascar in meeting the immediate shelter needs of people affected by disasters. The sector is part of the national coordination structure known as CRIC (Comité de Réflexion des Intervenants en cas de Catastrophes). The BNGRC (Bureau National de Gestion des Risques et des Catastrophes) and the SENVH (Secrétariat d’Etat en charge des Nouvelles Villes et de l’Habitat) are responsible (the leads) for the general coordination of the sector, with regard to the distribution of non-food items and the management of assembly sites during population displacements. The co-lead is the Malagasy Red Cross with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for the management of displaced persons. Humanitarian shelter responses repeatedly face acute disaster risks, especially in the tropical storm and cyclone season from October to April. The frequency, intensity and the uncertainty of these risks are further increased by climate change and environmental issues. Madagascar Shelter Cluster (Groupe Sectoriel abri/habitat) has identified the critical need to developing disaster risks reduction strategy in shelter responses which can translate into achievable concrete action. Tasks and Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the UNDRR Partnerships Branch Programme Management Officer working on risk-informed humanitarian action, the DRR Consultant will support the work of the Technical Working Group for DRR (DRR TWiG) of the Madagascar Shelter Cluster (Groupe Sectoriel abri/habitat) through planning and coordination of the group’s work and implementation of the TWiG work plan. Guided by UNDRR Partnerships Branch in coordination with the UNDRR Regional Office for Africa and in consultation with the Core Group on Scaling up DRR in Humanitarian and Fragile Contexts, the Global Shelter Cluster, and the Madagascar Shelter Cluster Coordinator, and with inputs of the TWiG members, the consultant will: – Conduct a light review of existing main national policies, national/local information sources and stakeholders relevant for the Madagascar Shelter Cluster (Groupe Sectoriel abri/habitat) with focus on natural hazards, climate change and environment; drawing on work undertaken by UNDRR and other DRR actors in Madagascar on risk profiling, the Shelter Cluster Environmental Country Profile developed in 2023, and other sources. The review will consider current data sharing mechanisms and gaps relevant for the shelter cluster’s work. – Building on the light review, conduct consultations with Madagascar Shelter Cluster (Groupe Sectoriel abri/habitat) entities on gaps and priorities for integrating DRR and environment in the Madagascar Shelter Cluster (Groupe Sectoriel abri/habitat) Strategy, through participation in meetings and bilateral discussions. – Develop a DRR strategy to accompany the Madagascar Shelter Cluster (Groupe Sectoriel abri/habitat) Strategy, to be developed by early 2025. – Support the Madagascar Shelter Cluster (Groupe Sectoriel abri/habitat) Coordinator in convening TWiG meetings (support to developing meeting agendas and presentations, note taking) – Conduct awareness-raising sessions and trainings for Madagascar Shelter Cluster (Groupe Sectoriel abri/habitat) members, drawing on and adapting global level materials – Support integration of DRR and environment into the cluster’s contingency planning for 2025 – Provide DRR and environment related advice for Humanitarian Partners as required – Support coordination with other initiatives and actors working on scaling up DRR and environment in humanitarian action in Madagascar – Update of Shelter Cluster Environmental Profile based on lessons learnt during the light review and consultation with partners

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, disaster management, international development, geography or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with a minimum of 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience in the areas of disaster risk reduction, environmental planning, humanitarian assistance or a related field is required. Experience in conducting research on disaster risk reduction, environmental management or climate change adaptation is desirable. Experience in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, including national governments, UN or any other similar international organization is desirable. Experience in mainstreaming DRR/environment in humanitarian response is desirable. Experience in the UN system or any other similar international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in French is required. Knowledge of English 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.