Adapt the PDNA/Disaster Assessment Guidelines for Drought, Urban and Flash Floods

Background

N.B.

Applications through UNDP jobs will not be accepted, only to the procurement.cv@cv.jo.un.org email address.

Interested candidates are required to read the Procurement Notice for Individual Consultants and its related documents, which are available in the following websites:

• UN Cape Verde website, https://caboverde.un.org/pt/jobs, under the section Anúncios;
• the UNGM website at www.ungm.org; and
• UNDP Procurement website at http://procurement-notices.undp.org

In 2017, the Government of Cabo Verde formulated its first National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy, recognizing resilient recovery and building back better as priorities to achieve disaster resilience and sustainable development.

During Phase I of the “Building Capacities for Resilient Recovery “project, the government also elaborated an ex-ante disaster recovery framework (QRP) which was conceived as a planning tool for recovery preparedness. Designed as a “master plan” for recovery, the ex-ante recovery framework identified in advance institutional and financial arrangements to plan and implement timely, sustainable and effective responses for post-disaster recovery.

The national Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) system is still largely focused on emergency response and preparedness. The National Civil Protection and Firefighters Service (SNPCB), placed under the authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, leads the current institutional framework for disaster management. The legal framework and the organizational structure of the current civil protection system does not provide a specific mandate in disaster risk mitigation, nor does it specify the roles and responsibilities of the civil protection in the pre/post-disaster recovery phase. As such, SNCB has been focusing its interventions in disaster preparedness and emergency response and currently has limited technical, financial and institutional capacities to assume other roles in the disaster risk management cycle.

National capacity limitations for developing a comprehensive approach to resilience and risk-reduction, including strengthening the resilience of communities, particularly women and children, are putting development gains at risk and perpetuating poverty and inequality.

Regarding disaster recovery, the review of past experiences has highlighted inefficiencies in the planning and managing of the recovery process, limiting the potential for resilience building and risk reduction.

Institutional mechanisms for disaster recovery are poorly defined and ad-hoc arrangements used to plan and implement previous processes have resulted in centralized decision-making, slow, short-term and ineffective responses to the recovery challenges. Post-disaster interventions have often been uncoordinated and partial, favoring reconstruction of infrastructure to restore minimum access to basic service and housing rehabilitation over socio-economic and human recovery needs. Ad-hoc responses have not allowed to seize the favorable political environment when a disaster hits, such as focusing on building back better, addressing inequalities and tackling the root causes of development problems that exacerbate vulnerability to natural hazards.

Phase II of the “Building Capacities for Resilient Recovery” seeks to strengthen national capacities and systems to plan and manage the recovery process. Output 1 of the project specifically aims to improve the enabling environment for recovery by formulating National Disaster Recovery Guidelines that will enhance institutional arrangements and streamline mandates for recovery in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

The international consultant will support the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) through the National Civil Protection and Firefighters’ Service (SNPCB) and the Project Management Unit (PMU) to carry out and complete the program that comprises the National Disaster Recovery Guidelines for Cabo Verde, especially to:

1. Evaluate a legal or official framework for assessing damages, losses and needs following a disaster event.

2. Identify the sectors which are generally affected by disasters and for which the assessment needs to be undertaken.

3. For each sector included in the PDNA, suggest agencies which need to support the exercise, the sources of baseline data, and methodology of collection of data for actual damages, losses and needs.

4. Suggest a methodology for consulting government officials, community leaders and the affected people.

5. Prescribe standard units, schedule of rates, and other parameters for estimating cost and value of damages and losses.

6. Develop templates suited to national standards and practices for collecting data upon damages and losses.

7. Review of existing post disaster assessment practice in the country, including a gap analysis between status and what is expected to be achieved regarding PDNA and drought, urban and flash floods adaptation.

8. Identification of the national institution that would lead the adaptation process, including those key ministries/organizations that would support the process.

9. Adaptation of the Disaster Recovery Framework considering four key elements that contribute to good recovery implementation, especially if they are adopted/agreed beforehand: policies, institutional coordination, financing mechanisms, implementation issues such as M&E, simplified procurement procedures and communication strategy, among others.

10. Conduct Workshops and capacity building activities using the guidelines and tools developed.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP´s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies:

• Diplomacy and tact;
• Ability to communicate and work closely with a variety of people within a multicultural environment;
• Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-disciplinary and international framework with a wide range of partners, particularly at the science-policy interface;
• Strong work ethic and commitment;
• Concise and analytical thinking;
• Organized and resourceful.

Required Skills and Experience

Education/academic background

• Masters' Degree or higher in the field of Disaster Risk Management, Development Studies, Social Science, Geography, or a related field

Experience

General Experience:  At least 10 years of relevant work experience in Disaster Risk Reduction, with a focus on recovery; Proven understanding of disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management, with a particular focus on recovery coordination, planning and implementation

Specific Experience: Experience in drafting guidelines, strategies, toolkits, specific on disaster assessment guidelines for drought, urban and flash floods

Other: Experience in coordinating with a different range of stakeholders and mostly government counterparts; Experience in conducting similar assignments will be considered a strong asset Excellent communication, writing and inter-personal skills

Language

• Proficiency in English or French;
• Working knowledge of written and spoken Portuguese/ Spanish is required.