Since 2003 UNDP Tajikistan is implementing its Disaster Risk Management Programme (DRMP) to address the issues of disaster preparedness, recovery, risk reduction and response. The Programme is in its fourth phase of implementation covering the period from 2015-2020, which proceeded the previous three phases covering 2004-2006; 2007-2009 and 2010-2015 respectively.

UNDP uses the over a decade of experience in disaster risk management in Tajikistan to expand disaster risk management capacities while reducing the impact of the most dangerous disasters and anticipating new threats to the country.  The goals of these efforts is that Tajikistan will become more resilient to disaster risks, and particularly climate related risks, and post disaster suffering is reduced thought improvements in the recovery process once disasters do occur.

This goal will be achieved by efforts in four areas:

1. Reducing risks of the most significant causes of death and damage (floods, avalanches and earthquakes) using a community driven approach with a strong risk governance component.

2. Addressing risks from emerging threats, with a focus on increased industrialization and legacy hazards through proactive risk management.

3. Incorporating DRR into the development process.

4. Improving the efficiency and impact of post disaster recovery including improved risk reduction.

All these efforts include steps to improve information management and address gender, age and disability issues.

In September 2016, UNDP launched a number of new projects funded by Government of Japan, Russian Trust Fund and SDC to support to the Government of Tajikistan in undertaking a nation-wide risk assessment, selecting and implementing risk reduction measures, improving early warning and disaster management planning, preparedness and response, as well as strengthening capacities of search and rescue teams. For smooth and in timely implementation of these projects, UNDP is seeking a qualified candidate to fulfill the position of Programme Assistant

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP DRMP  Manager, the Programme Assistant, in close cooperation with Project Analysts and relevant units of the UNDP Country Office, will support the activities related to programme and project implementation and will undertake the following tasks:

1.  Administrative and Programme support:

• Collect, analyze and disseminate project-related information, materials and other resources; contribute to development of press-releases, brochures, knowledge products;

• Support DRMP in awareness raising and capacity building initiatives on Risk Management, Disaster Risk Reduction and gender mainstreaming issues;

• Administratively support relevant thematic working groups within REACT partnership and Government working groups, trainings and conferences with other agencies and partners on risk monitoring and warning issues, risk assessment and hazard-related matters as necessary;

• Provide organizational and administrative support to project related missions and consultancies (arranging meeting/workshops, preparing meeting agendas/minutes, provision of translations and interpretation, keeping project records, logistics support etc);

• Keep track of contracts, and effectuate extensions/terminations in a timely manner;

• Provide secretarial support in HR processes and prepare documentation package for issuance of contracts;

• Assist on developing tender bidding packages;

• Assist in responding to various inquires and information requests internally and externally;

• Be able to backstop different DRMP functions in the events of emergency response and early recovery coordination and interventions;

2. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:

• In close collaboration with relevant staff of DRMP, assist in preparation of annual work plans, quarterly reports and budget revisions, as required;

• Support in monitoring and evaluation of the Disaster Risk Management initiatives individually or as a part of monitoring teams, including field visits and desk reviews;

• Support DRMP in situation analysis and project/programme proposals development and reporting through collection of data and inputs, as well as consolidation of comments and inputs;

3. Communication and coordination:

• Monitor the DRMP webpage so that all the information is up-to-date and maintain continuous content updates;

• Maintain effective network/communication with national (Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence, relevant line ministries and agencies) and international (resident and non-resident UN Agencies, donor and other agencies) project partners;

• Provide assistance to the National and International Consultants in implementing activities and maintaining relationship with key authorities and institutions;

• Assist the Working Group on conducting timely risk assessments;  conduction of National Platform (Expert Group) Meetings and organizing the events for establishment of Unified State Emergency Preparedness and Response system