Result of ServiceUNDRR and DP ECHO activities implemented successfully in the respective sub region, with coordination and collaboration with relevant humanitarian, development and DRR actors as well as support to effective implementation of the EU LAC MOU and related activities and processes, meetings and other spaces. Work LocationHome-based Expected duration19.08.25 - 18.05.26 Duties and ResponsibilitiesCreated 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 by working with the U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians, and the science and technology community. Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations of the European Commission (DG ECHO) The European Commission's Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) has been providing assistance to the Latin America and Caribbean region since 1994 in fulfillment of its humanitarian mandate to save and preserve lives in order to reduce disaster risk conditions and contribute to increasing the resilience of individuals, communities and countries in the region. During this time, DG ECHO, through its Disaster Preparedness budget line, formerly known as DIPECHO, has invested more than €321 million in 34 countries in the region through more than 631 projects, reaching 30 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the participation and involvement of a wide range of organizations and partners. Disaster preparedness projects supported by DG ECHO are aligned with the objectives defined by the countries in the region (whether national or regional) and reinforce the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. ECHO DP Programme (formerly DIPECHO) Since 2011, UNDRR and DG ECHO have joined forces in 14 actions financially supported by ECHO (an investment of nearly 8 million Euros) carried out in Caribbean (4 actions), South America (5 actions), the Caribbean (4 actions) and a regional support activity in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through the current UNDRR ECHO regional project Scaling up the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction through disaster preparedness, risk knowledge, strategic coordination and key partnership engagement support, UNDRR provides technical support at national, subregional and regional level to countries to support the implementation of the Sendai Framework and the coordination of Disaster Preparedness (DP) actions. This project began in 2023 as a 24-month intervention, for which a Modification Request has been granted for which the new project finalization date is 31 March 2026. The Action focuses on the following 2 expected results: 1) Disaster preparedness knowledge and learning systematized and promoted between relevant stakeholders in LAC through the collection of best practices, lessons learnt and common challenges; and 2) Strengthen coordination and disaster risk knowledge for enhanced disaster preparedness and response at the national, subregional and regional level. The EU-LAC Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a key agreement signed in May 2024 between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) focused on strengthening cooperation in disaster preparedness and risk management. This partnership involves intergovernmental organizations: the Coordination Center for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America and the Dominican Republic (CEPREDENAC), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and the General Secretariat of the Andean Community (SGCAN) and individual countries (Chile, Cuba, Mexico) from the LAC region. The MOU aims to improve joint efforts on disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and information sharing, while also fostering training opportunities. It aims to facilitate enhanced cooperation between the two regions on disaster risk management, including strengthened policy dialogue, exchange of experiences and good practices, knowledge sharing and coordination on joint initiatives and activities. Implementation since its formal adoption has included a number of regional events and meetings, technical trainings, high-level policy dialogues and advancements on disaster risk management initiatives. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant will be home-based and will be under the supervision of the Regional Coordinator, Early Warning for All and Programme Management Officer of the Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean, of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean, in close collaboration with the selected ECHO project manager. This consultancy is two-pronged: 1. Provide technical support to the implementation of the regional UNDRR-ECHO project with emphasis in the Caribbean region, and 2. Provide technical and back up support to other UNDRR sub-regional and national level activities that comprise part of the broader UNDRR programme and activity portfolio in the Caribbean, including in the framework of the EU-LAC MOU. A the UNDRR-ECHO Project Caribbean Focal Point, duties and responsibilities will be carried out simultaneously within the framework of the Regional Project funded by DG ECHO through its Disaster Preparedness Programme (DP ECHO) and under the sub region's DP ECHO DP Action Plan, as stipulated in the Humanitarian Implementation Plan in force, and coordinated with the framework for the Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative and the EU-LAC MOU. Support and coordination with other activities conducted by UNDRR in the Caribbean will be aligned with the framework of the Regional UNDRR-ECHO Project and under the sub- region's ECHO DP Caribbean Action Plan, as stipulated in the Humanitarian Implementation Plan in force. The specific duties and responsibilities entail: - Coordination of activities outlined in the UNDRR-ECHO regional project, in close coordination with ECHO representatives, ECHO DP partners and national/regional authorities and other humanitarian, development and DRR partners. - Coordination and dialogue with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the national DRR (disaster risk reduction) organizations across the Caribbean. - Ensure consistent engagement and communication with in-country partners and enable partnerships that increase sustainability, replicability and long-term impact of UNDRR and DG ECHO actions, including follow-up by United Nations Country Teams and European Union (EU) delegations. - Coordinate, together with UNDRR Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean (ROAC) and DP ECHO Caribbean staff the Caribbean activities, processes and actions to be carried out in the respective sub-region and countries. Collaborate for the project actions and complementary disaster preparedness actions, with the corresponding national authorities and partners; as well as support to processes in line with the EU-LAC MOU. - Act as liaison officer with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), United Nations Emergency Technical Teams (UNETT) and members of the humanitarian clusters for DRR integration activities in humanitarian action. - Promote the dissemination of information related to the International Day for Disaster Reduction (13 October) and World Tsunami Awareness Day (3 November), support the implementation of activities and collect information on what has been done in the subregion and countries. - Carry out support and/or monitoring missions to DP ECHO projects in the country, according to mutual agreements between UNDRR ROAC and ECHO, if necessary. - In coordination with the Project Coordinator and External Relations Officer, Provide follow up and additional support as necessary to the Caribbean Safe School Initiative (CSSI) by working closely with the chair of the initiative and supporting related actions and follow up from the CSSI Ministerial Forums and monitoring roadmap. - Keep UNDRR ROAC and ECHO staff abreast of activities, progress, obstacles and challenges. - Organize regular project coordination meetings between DG ECHO, UNDRR, partners and authorities of national disaster risk management systems, and other relevant authorities not limited to DRM, take notes of these and prepare meetings' minutes and summary reports, distributing them to relevant partners, DG ECHO and UNDRR. - Document good practices, lessons learned, and challenges identified from DP ECHO budget line funded projects in the respective sub-region. - Maintain liaison and coordination with the ECHO DP Regional Project Coordinator regarding country level processes and coordination with relevant national authorities, UNDRR, DP ECHO national partners in country and ECHO regarding country level processes. - Provide support to implementation of the EU LAC MOU, specifically the liaison and activities with CDEMA. - Others as mutually agreed by the UNDRR ECHO Project Coordinator and/or Project Manager and other personnel of UNDRR ROAC. The following reports shall be prepared: - Monthly progress reports as per the Annual Work Plan. - Sub-regional component of the interim and final narrative report(s) describing, according to the formats required by ECHO, the results and activities of the project, subject to approval by UNDRR. - Others as required by UNDRR and/or ECHO, as mutually agreed with the Project Coordinator, Programme Manager and External Relations Officers and the UNDRR ROAC Deputy Head of Office as necessary. - Technical support for this position will be provided by UNDRR ROAC. UNDRR technical support to countries focuses on a better understanding of risk that provides a solid foundation for integrated planning, financing and monitoring. Qualifications/special skillsMaster's degree in disaster risk reduction, meteorology, climate change or other related areas is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least five (5) years of working experience in issues related to disaster risk management or reduction, and climate change or sustainable development is required. Experience in managing or coordinating national projects, preferably of an inter-institutional nature, both in the public sector and with international cooperation is required. Experience in organizing and facilitating workshops or meetings, and with intergovernmental mechanisms, DRR platforms, tools and working mechanisms related to DRR and DP ECHO is desirable. Experience with information management systems, analysis and synthesis of information, and in the drafting and presentation of documents with the participation of multidisciplinary teams is desirable Experience in multisectoral or multicounty contexts in the Americas and the Caribbean, as well as familiarity with national accounts for Sendai Framework, Sustainable Development Goals or similar monitoring and reporting, particularly with regards to indicators of the Sendai Framework's target G is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required for this consultancy. Knowledge of Spanish and French language is desirable. Additional InformationDue 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 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.