Organization: UN Children"s Fund
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 07 Jul 2015
BACKGROUND & RATIONALE
Shocks including natural hazards, armed conflict, epidemics, economic downturns and food price hikes, are eroding rights and reversing development gains; stresses such as, violence, unplanned urbanisation, rapid population growth, climate change and environmental degradation, are compounding vulnerability, reducing resilience and increasing the impact of shocks. Moreover, amid advances in development, the benefits of rapid economic growth have not been equally shared and disparities have increased. More than ever before, many of the most vulnerable children face increasingly high levels of risk. UNICEF definition of resilience is ‘*T**he ability of children, communities and systems to withstand, adapt and recover from stresses and shocks, advancing the rights of every child, with special attention to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children**.’* Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), peace building and social protection all contribute to strengthening resilience.
UNICEF has enhanced its new Strategic Plan (2014-2017) to include resilience into development programs in risk prone and fragile settings. Its efforts to strengthen resilience for children will seek to advance three distinct, mutually reinforcing results:
· A reduction in the likelihood that girls, boys and families feel the effects of shocks and cumulative stresses;
· Minimize the consequences for girls, boys and families when shocks and cumulative stresses do occur and acceleration of recovery; and,
· Strengthened capacities of governments and communities to sustain the resilience of families and children over time.
Key approaches that have been demonstrated to contribute to resilience include the promotion of adapted community based social services that both reduce risk and continue to deliver in the face of shocks and cumulative stresses; social protection systems that support a minimum level of household assets and an appropriate social safety net; and disaster risk reduction and peacebuilding.
Following a global workshop on resilience held in Kathmandu in February 2014, UNICEF developed a resilience Action Plan to more coherently advance its work at every level. The Action Plan includes specific deliverables in terms of guidance, training and knowledge tools.
PURPOSE
Working to support the implementation of the resilience Action Plan, and collaboratively with Regional Offices, the consultancy will result in enhanced capacity of Country and Regional offices to advance DRR and resilience.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
The consultant will be managed by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Adviser and will collaborate for Humanitarian Action and Transition Team (HATIS) team members on the following activities:
Activities Include:
Support the mapping and collation of UNICEF practice in DRR:
o Contact office focal points to identify and record key DRR initiatives
o Review database of Country Office Annual Reports to identify DRR references
o Create a spreadsheet collating all references/initiatives
Support a desk study on decentralization and DRR to inform the Strategic Plan indicator
o Review good practice from 5 countries and document into a single case study
Support work with London School of Economics on risk analysis to guide country offices
o Day to day coordination (teleconferences, feedback on draft papers) with graduate students
Support the update of the UNICEF DRR programme guidance and training module
o Provide administrative support to update modules and programme guidance based on technical inputs from DRR specialist
Support the development and piloting of a UNICEF resilience training module
o Organize logistics, trainers and edit training material as needed
Support the drafting of the resilience knowledge management plan
o Provide support as requested including uploading of key documents and resources
Finalize mapping of donor policy and funding opportunities on risk and resilience
o Based on existing drafts, gather additional inputs from other divisions/sources
o Finalize mapping
Support the development of funding applications to be presented to UNICEFs key partner
o Provide text and editorial support as requested
Focal point for innovation in humanitarian action
o Attend innovation meetings and coordinate follow up with technical advisers as required
Support coordination of Humanitarian Action Report including mid-year progress tracking
o Support editing and collection of data as requested by EMOPS
Duty StationThe consultant will be based in UNICEF New York Headquarterswith travel as required.
Time Frame
Start Date: 20 July 2015 (Approx.) End Date: 20 January 2016 (may include weekends)
(Dates will be adjusted to reflect the actual starting date of the consultancy)***
KEY COMPETENCIES, TECHNICAL BACKGROUND, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Education:
- Advanced university degree in a related field with 2 years of experience at Junior-level.
- Some knowledge of DRR policy and practice
- Some experience supporting the implementation of disaster risk reduction, resilience, programs and policies or similar;
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Strong organizational, written and oral presentation skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work under deadlines, handle multiple tasks, and take initiative;
- Proven ability to work in a team and intercultural environment, with minimal supervision;
- Enthusiasm for and commitment to development work;
- Fluency in English (verbal and written). Knowledge of French and Spanish languages is highly desirable.***Please see deliverables in attached chart.**
How to apply:
How to Apply
Applicants are requested to send their submissions to <**pdconsultants@unicef.org>** with subject line “Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (L1 Level) – Consultancy” by 07 July 2015, 5:00pm EST.
Applications must include:
- Cover letter,
- CV, and
- P 11 form (http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc)
- Indicate where you heard about this advertisement
Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.
NOTE: Files should not exceed 5.0MB limit
UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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