Result of Service

Support the development of a regional probabilistic model for multiple hazards, including wildfires, accounting for future climate, exposure, and vulnerability conditions.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

03.08.26 - 02.05.27

Duties and Responsibilities

Background 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. The UNDRR Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean has produced two Regional Assessment Reports on Disaster Risk Reduction (RAR). The first, in 2021, described progress and challenges related to implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 in the region. The most recent, in 2024, focused on an analysis of disaster risk reduction financing in Latin America and the Caribbean. The findings of these two RARs provide solid evidence in two directions. First, in recent years there has been significant progress in protecting human lives from extreme events such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. Second, the absolute monetary cost associated with the materialization of disaster risk is increasing in the region. This is illustrated by the economic losses recorded over the past 25 years: cumulative losses in the Americas and the Caribbean represent more than 53% of global losses in the same period. Financing for climate change adaptation (CCA), which includes interventions that could mitigate wildfire risk, represents approximately 5.21% of ODA. These figures highlight the disparity in resource allocation and the need for integrated approaches to enhance resilience through both DRR and CCA strategies, as well as for risk-informing future developments to guarantee their usability and sustainability by for instance, avoiding the creation of new risks. Wildfires not only threaten ecosystems and livelihoods but also amplify existing gender disparities. Women, who often bear the brunt of caregiving and household recovery efforts, face heightened vulnerabilities during disasters, whereas vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly are highly vulnerable to suffering health consequences because of this type of event. Similarly, Indigenous communities, whose lands are frequently affected by wildfires, are at risk of losing traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. Meanwhile, this is a hazard and risk that is not generally assessed at the national or regional level. The next Regional Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction for the Americas and the Caribbean (RAR27) will focus on quantifying the cost of inaction at the regional, national, and local levels by reviewing progress of the implementation of the Sendai Framework and Disaster Risk-Informed Sustainable Development: A review of regional, national, and local progress and challenges, including contributions of the Sendai Framework to the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement, and other relevant agendas, as well as of the latest regional multi-hazard risk estimates using well-established probabilistic metrics, for baseline and future scenarios. Additionally, it will propose a set of methodologies and approaches to assess the cost of not making decisions, using retrospective and/or prospective analyses, highlighting the urgency for financing sustainable development through DRR. The consultant will be home-based and will be under the supervision of the Risk Knowledge Officer of the the United Nations Officer for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Regional Office of the Americas and the Caribbean (UNDRR ROAC).

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in engineering, sustainable development, social sciences, disaster risk management, or a related discipline is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least fifteen (15) years of experience in disaster risk reduction and development of regional or global reports is required. Experience in probabilistic multi-hazard risk modelling (including wildfires) is required. Experience in engaging with expert technical stakeholders and peer-reviewers is desirable. Experience with at least one United Nations, major government institution or international organization working on probabilistic risk metrics is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English and Spanish is required for this consultancy. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Additional Information

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. *FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*. UNDRR values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women, men, and people with disabilities.

No Fee

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.

Consultant to support the numerical modelling for RAR27 at country level