Result of ServiceThe consultancy will support the implementation of the EW4All initiative in Antigua and Barbuda, in particular for Pillar 1 on Disaster Risk Knowledge and support the inter-pillar work (governance) in adherence to the national gap analysis and Implementation Plan previously developed. It will also include facilitating dialogue and coordination among pillar leaders, EW4All supporting agencies, the national focal point(s) and other national stakeholders, members of the United Nations Country Team in the country, and other important partners. Work LocationHome based Expected duration15 Jan - 14 Oct 2025 Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground 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, early warning systems need to be risk-informed, multi-hazard, multi-sectorial, target communities most at risk, disseminate messages and warnings efficiently, ensure preparedness, and support early action. Multi-Hazard Early warning systems (Multi-hazard early warning systems) include four pillars: 1) disaster risk knowledge; 2) observation, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting; 3) warning dissemination and communication; 4) preparedness and response capabilities. The four pillars of an MHEWS need a governance architecture enabling interactions among those responsible for each of the components, framing their implementation within the overall disaster risk management (DRM) governance mechanisms (Interpillar). 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. The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) is a special initiative of the UN Secretary General, which aims to spearheading action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems by 2027. The EW4ALL was formally launched by the UN Secretary-General in November 2022 at the COP27 meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh. The Initiative calls for the whole world to be covered by early warning systems by the end of 2027. EW4All is co-led by WMO (World Meteorological Organization) and UNDRR and supported by pillar leads ITU (International Telecommunication Union) and IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies). Additional implementing partners include FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), GEO (Group of Earth Observation) Secretariat, IOM (International Organization for Migration), OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), REAP (Risk-informed Early Action Partnership), WFP (World Food Programme) and others. EW4All aims to promote collaboration and synergies across all partners working on the promotion, design, implementation, development, and monitoring of single, cluster and multi-hazard early warning systems. The Implementation Plan for the Initiative outlines the initial actions required to achieve universal coverage of multi-hazard early warning systems within five years, and sets out the pathway to implementation. The implementation process should be guided by the stakeholder coordination mechanism established or confirmed in the national consultative workshop. Each EW4All Pillar has developed a detailed 18-month workplan and a 5-year implementation strategy, which should be consulted and used as guidance and blueprint. A key focus of this initiative is to promote a coordinated, cross pillar approach that prioritizes strong coordination. A monitoring framework has been established for use in countries, and technical support is also available to strengthen reporting on Target G of the Sendai Framework, which tracks progress on Early Warning systems. Duties and responsibilities Proposed Outputs/Work Assignments: 1. Provide technical support for advancing Antigua and Barbuda’s EW4All implementation plan for Pillar 1 (disaster risk knowledge and management) and interpillar (governance), with revisions and updates as necessary, and with consideration for a national loss and damage database as well as Sendai Framework monitoring and reporting. 2. In line with the previous element, provide support to ensure Antigua and Barbuda is adequately reflected in national Sendai Framework Monitoring, in particular Sendai Framework Monitor Target G and the EW4All global dashboard. 3. Support the implementation of the MCR2030 MHEWS addendum in municipalities, based on experience garnered from the 2024 workshop and application in St. John’s as well as recommendations and lessons learned therein. 4. Support the application of the Inclusive Early Warning Early Action Checklist in country. With regards to EW4All pillar 1: 5. Support the development of a national disaster risk dataset: Together with national authorities and partners, identify existing data and information in the country regarding hazards, vulnerability, exposure, and risk. This includes identifying existing data sources, types of information, and ownership. 6. Conduct an analysis of the existing information chain for Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems in Antigua and Barbuda with regards to 2 or 3 priority hazards, covering data collection, processing, analysis, dissemination, and in line with a multi-hazard approach as per UNDRR / International Science Council hazard information profiles and clusters. In line with the previous elements and in close collaboration with UNDRR personnel (staff and other consultants), facilitate a national EW4All Pillar 1 workshop that combines training on risk knowledge and identification of available risk data, including a comprehensive concept note outlining objectives, agenda, and logistics support, participants’ lists, facilitation, oral and written inputs and compiling final report with tangible and concrete results and recommendations and related annexes. Consideration should be given to inclusion and gender parity. 7. Develop a draft governance framework and operational guidelines to facilitate data and information sharing among government institutions and diverse stakeholders and partners both in the country and beyond as well as to support tracking disaster loss and damage and monitoring and reporting (Sendai Framework Monitor and EW4All global dashboard). Governance interpillar 8. Support the creation / strengthening or functioning of a national DRR / DRM and EW4All coordination mechanism. 9. Support UNDRR ROAC staff and consultants in financial tracking and budget tagging as it related to DRR / MHEWS in Antigua and Barbuda by providing key sources, establishing communications, setting up interviews, among others. Support Antigua and Barbuda’s active engagement in regional and global processes as relevant, including the Caribbean Regional Early Warning Systems Consortium (REWSC) and relevant EW4All and DRR platforms and events. 10. In close collaboration with UNDRR staff and consultants, collaborate with national stakeholders and other partners to develop an inclusive National EW4All Pillar 1 Communication Strategy in Antigua and Barbuda. 11. Provide technical support as relevant as it pertains to UNDP’s GCF Multi-Country EW4All Funding Project and other funding opportunities in close coordination with UNDRR ROAC. The consultant will be home-based and will report to the Programme Management Officer of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean (ROAC), based in Bridgetown, Barbados, and to the Regional Coordinator of Early Warning for All Inititative of UNDRR ROAC based in Panama City, Panama. Qualifications/special skillsBachelor's degree in disaster risk reduction, climate change, sustainable development, or other related areas is required. At least 2 years of experience in disaster risk reduction is required. Work experience with national stakeholders in areas of disaster risk management, climate change, early warning systems, or identification of vulnerabilities and exposures is required. Experience with information management systems is desirable. LanguagesFluency in English is required. Knowledge of Spanish or another UN language is desirable. Additional InformationDue to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. No FeeTHE 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.