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National Risk Assessment and Establishment of a Disaster Risk Management System Consultancy

Mbabane

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Mbabane
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Accounting (Audit, Controlling)
    • Security policy
    • Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
    • Internal audit, Investigation and Inspection
    • Disaster Management (Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Recovery)
    • Resilience and Climate Change
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

National capacities for improved disaster risk management is entrenched in the knowledge of hazards and their risk parameters in each country. An improved understanding of natural and man-made risks is key in building resilient sustainable development for middle income economies such as Swaziland. The country has guided its development on Vision 2022, with progressive implementation noting setbacks incurred through experienced risks and disasters, most of which are climate-related – the recent 2015/2016 El Nino-induced drought which impacted the socio-economic performance of the country, in five sectors: agriculture and food security, water, education, health and social protection

The integration of the Agenda 2030 into national development frameworks has called for risk-proof development to ensure sustainable socio-economic development. The 2015 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) first priority for action, “understanding disaster risk”, enlists the responsibility on national governments to facilitate comprehensive risk assessments as well as making risk information comprehensible and readily available to all decision-makers and stakeholders.  The global instrument advocates for effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) through increased understanding of the vulnerability dimensions and its various characteristics, enhanced knowledge of national stakeholders and institutional capacities to prepare and respond to impending disaster threats. Risk knowledge generated through the analysis of risk information is critical in supporting the development of relevant policies and inform investments that are effective in reducing risks (UNISDR, Words in Action Guidelines, 2017).

The Government of Swaziland, established the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) under the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) for improved coordination, preparedness and response to risks and disasters.  With the 2014-2019 Interagency Capacity Needs Assessment Action Plan under implementation, robust national early warning systems, risk profiling and enhanced capacities for decision-makers, including the vulnerable and affected communities is still critical. This will also enable the country to meet its commitments to the SFDRR. Such a step however depends on the availability of comprehensive risk information that considers all relevant hazards, both direct and indirect impacts and a diagnosis of drivers of risks and factors affecting vulnerability of systems, assets, people and the environment.  

Although imminent disaster hazards in Swaziland have been identified, major gaps exist in risk information, quality and accessibility. The national response to disasters requires increased knowledge and innovation as well as profiling of national risks. In addition, risk identification, analysis of the context for a better understanding of the vulnerability factors has been limited. This also includes the institutional linkages between the NDMA, meteorological services department (MET) and sectoral early warning systems such as the National Early Warning Unit (NEWU) for agriculture and food security and Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) for the health sector. In addition, geo-referenced profiling of risks in the country can still be improved. This results in available information not packaged in formats that are user-friendly and accessible to policy-makers, DRR practitioners, researchers, stakeholders and vulnerable communities. The comprehensive hazard/risk identification, mapping and profiling of disaster prone areas is insufficient and challenges the decision-makers capacity for policy development as well as disaster risk management (DRM) planning through systemic disaster risk management.

The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) seeks the technical services of an international consultant to conduct a comprehensive national disaster risk assessment for the country, with an aim to build a body of knowledge in DRM and as means to enhance the early warning system (EWS) and response, including spatially. The output report of this exercise will enhance the Global Assessment Report (GAR) launched by the UNISDR in 2015, for the country.

Objectives:

Increased national capacities for a better understanding of the hazards and disasters that occur in the country is of importance in future management of development risks. The assignment is for the development of the National Risk Assessment and Establishment of a Disaster Risk Management System. This will also include the development of illustrations through an atlas or maps to complement improved management of disaster risk management through a coordinated system, for an enhanced Global Assessment Report (GAR) for the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Risk Assessment and Establishment Disaster Risk Management System Consultancy would involve but not be limited to the following tasks:

  • Review international and regional instruments including the SDGs and Sendai Declaration and as aligned through the national development systems and DRM frameworks (policies and legislation); 
  • Undertake multiple hazard and risk mapping, analyses, identifying drivers of risk and underlying risk factors to inform decision-making, contingency planning and risk-based development planning; 
  • Determine and record hazard/risk parameters including historical information, probability, frequency, intensity and scope of disaster impacts;
  • Identify vulnerability factors, underlying causes and risk of exposure for groups, areas, communities, households;
  • Analyse predictability and forewarning mechanisms for all known hazards within the context of the National Early Warning System (NEWS); 
  • Assess coping capacities for groups, communities, households as well as social and economic systems; 
  • Produce the national risk assessment report to mirror the Global Assessment Report (GAR);
  • Develop a DRM system indicating linkages between institutions and national actors;
  • Develop and produce hazard/risk and vulnerability maps or atlas to mirror the Global Assessment Report (GAR) Atlas; 
  • Validate the Report and Illustration drafts in a national stakeholders meeting; 
  • Consolidate national inputs into final draft reports and submit to the NDMA for approval.

Deliverables:

The Consultant working with NDMA will be responsible for the consultation process and producing the following deliverables:

  • Inception Report two weeks after signing the contract; 
  • Clusters and Stakeholders Consultations and Validation Meeting. 
  • National Hazard/Risk and Vulnerability Maps/Atlas;
  • National Disaster Risk Management (Monitoring and Evaluation) System;
  • The National Risk Assessment Report for approval by the United Nations Development Team (UNDT) and National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA).

Competencies

  • Ability to set and implement activities for timely results.
  • Good facilitation and communication skills.
  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Team building approach.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational qualifications:

  • Graduate degree (Masters, PhD) in Disaster Risk Management/Risk Assessment/Emergency and Humanitarian Response Management.

Experience:

  • At least 10 years of experience in the Risk Assessment and Management discipline, including three (3) years performing similar tasks.
  • Experience in the disaster risk/ emergency and humanitarian response management.
  • Experience formulation of SDG and Sendai Declaration aligned (and other global and regional instruments) coordination DRM systems.
  • Strong programme/project management in disaster risk preparedness, mitigation with experience at international or region levels.
  • Institutional strengthening experience and knowledge on disaster risk management.
  • Good knowledge of actors working in the Disaster/Hazard/ Risk Management coordination.
  • Knowledge on the Region and Swaziland would be an added advantage.

Language:

  • Fluent in written and spoken English.
UNDP 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.
This vacancy is now closed.
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