Result of Service

The consultant conducts stakeholder mapping and desktop reviews to identify key actors across the four EWS pillars and consolidate existing frameworks and evaluations. They design and implement interviews, surveys, and consultations to compile information on needs and gaps, which informs a comprehensive gap analysis. Using the EW4All checklist, they develop a costed roadmap with clear actions and timelines, refined and validated through a national workshop. They also support relevant authorities in the validation and endorsement process of the Vanuatu EW4All roadmap, ensuring alignment with national priorities.

Work Location

Vanuatu

Expected duration

15 Jul 26-15 Dec 26

Duties and Responsibilities

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), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, 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 (EWS) are key elements of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, as they help reduce or avoid the detrimental impacts of hazardous events. To be effective, EWS need to be risk-informed, target communities most at risk, disseminate messages and warnings efficiently, ensure preparedness and support early action. EWS includes four pillars: 1) risk knowledge 2) observation, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting 3) warning dissemination and communication and 4) preparedness and response capabilities. Multi-sector and multi-stakeholder coordination, involvement of communities at risk, having an enabling institutional and legislative environment, clear roles and responsibilities, and adequate operational capacities, are essential for effective and consistent Early Warning Systems. Early Warnings for All (EW4All) is a special initiative of the UN Secretary General, which aims to spearhead action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems by 2027.Vanuatu has indicated its interest to join the initiative and through the support of the CREWS Accelerated Support Window ( ASW) seeks to develop a comprehensive and multi-hazard EW4ALL national roadmap to identify and assess existing early warning and early action systems in the country and make recommendations for improvement. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant will be based in Port Vila, Vanuatu and work under the supervision of Head of the UNDRR Pacific Subregional Office and will undertake the following responsibilities; 1. Conduct stakeholder mapping and desk top review to identify relevant stakeholders in Vanuatu who are active across the spectrum of EWS – risk knowledge, monitoring and observations, dissemination and communication, and response. This includes government agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, private sector entities, and communities at risk. It will also include desktop reviews of frameworks, literature reviews or pre-existing evaluations of multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) across the four pillars; 2. Using stakeholder mapping and desk top review, design and conduct key informant interviews, surveys and subnational/ national consultations as needed, to compile and consolidate information on needs and gaps for MHEWS across the four pillars. 3. Conduct gap analysis and develop roadmap. The gap analysis across the four pillars to be developed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the existing early warning systems and highlight areas for improvement. A minimum core capability checklist developed by the EW4All Initiative can be made available for the gap analysis at country level. Based on the findings of the gap analysis, a roadmap should be drafted, costed and endorsed. The costed roadmap should set out how to bridge the identified gaps, and outline the key actions and timelines required to improve the effectiveness of the MHEWS in Vanuatu. The gap analysis and roadmap can be fine-tuned and finalised though a national validation workshop 4. Support relevant authorities as needed in regard the process for validation and endorsement of Vanuatu EW4ALL roadmap.

Qualifications/special skills

Bachelor's Degree in Disaster Risk Management, Social Sciences, Economics, Public Administration, or related field is required. Minimum five (5) years of experience in the areas of disaster risk management, anticipatory action, resilience, public administration, and/or organising training and capacity building workshops/courses in the Pacific is required. Experience in drafting strategic planning documents, reports and conducting consultations with stakeholders is required.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.

Additional Information

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

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.

National Consultant for Early Warning for All in Vanuatu