Consultant for Strengthening Early Warning Systems

The ultimate result of the service is the design and installation of a disability-inclusive flag-based early warning system, as well as enhanced capacity of key stakeholders to implement and sustain disability-inclusive early warning systems (EWS).

Solomon Islands

1 Jul 26-31 Mar 2027

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. Early warning systems should be people-centred, end-to-end, multi-hazard, trusted and accessible to all. They should consider the unique needs and capacities of different groups, including persons with disabilities and those living in vulnerable situations. The Government of Solomon Islands has made a tremendous progress and investment to strengthen early warning systems. Gender and disability are integrated and referenced in the national disaster management plans and strategies, however, implementing them in the field remains challenging. 14% of Solomon Islands’ population has disability according to the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office’s population census 2009. Persons with disabilities are more likely to be injured or affected during the disasters. To support the disability inclusive early warning systems, UNDRR jointly the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS), the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO the National Disability Forum of Solomon Islands ( NDFSI) and the International Orgainisation for Migration ( IOM ) supported under the CREWS Accelerated Support Window ( ASW) is planning to establish a disability inclusive flag-based early warning systems in Solomon Islands. This initiative aims to enhance accessible, inclusive, and end-to-end early warnings for persons with disabilities in the Solomon Islands. planning to existing early warning services and products to ensure that they are accessible, useful, and actionable by the persons with disabilities. UNDRR Pacific Subregional Office is seeking an experienced consultant to support NDFSI and the wider project team in implementing a disability responsive early warning system that will provide visual and sound based early warning systems, through a flag based (using traffic light colors) early warning system at the community level, to ensure that warning accessible, useful, and actionable by the persons with disabilities. The consultant will be based in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant will be based in Honiara, Solomon Island and work under the supervision of Head of the UNDRR Pacific Subregional Office and will closely coordinate with the NDFSI and the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS), and the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), as well as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The consultant will undertake following duties:  Provide project management and relevant administrative support, including planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting for flag-based early warning systems (EWS)  Coordinate and collaborate with all partners to test and develop the model flag-based EWS, its development and installation  Provide technical support and quality assurance to local service providers in the design of a model flag-based Early Warning System (EWS).  Support the design and facilitation of capacity building sessions on inclusive early warning systems and inclusive disaster management  Work closely with the leadership and operational teams of the NDFSI to enhance capacity and provide wider operational support in regard inclusive DRR and EWS  Support coordination with a range of stakeholders, including UN agencies, international and national organizations, the private sector engagement on early warning.  Responsible for programme management , reporting and development of case studies and communications

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, social sciences, public administration, disaster risk management or related field is required. Minimum 10 years of experience in the areas of project management, early warning systems, disaster risk management, resilience, or public administration and related field in Solomon Islands is required. Work experience with relevant national and sub-national stakeholders in Solomon Islands is required. Experience in project management is required.

Fluency in English is required.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

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.