Local expert to support education on disaster risk reduction
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Vacancy announcement number: 51
Practice Area: Environment and Energy
Project Title: Strengthening of National Disaster Risk Reduction Capacities in Armenia
Background
UNDP Armenia under the project 00076016 “Strengthening National Capacities for Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction - 3rd phase” aims to enhance and contribute to a well-structured and effective Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) system in Armenia. The project also addresses priority recommendations of the recent Capacity Assessment for DRR system in Armenia aimed at further strengthening of national capacities.
There are three outputs in support of the project objective. These are as follows:
1. Strengthened enabling environment for the implementation of the National DRR Strategy and Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA);
2. Improved coordination and cooperation in disaster risk reduction;
3. Integration of disaster and climate risk management into community, local and municipal development.
Developed DRR capacities will enable to systematically address existing and emerging disaster risks in the country, maintaining inclusive and coordinated mechanism for risk identification, assessment and early warning, implementing risk reduction measures and increasing preparedness for effective response and recovery.
One of the focus areas of the project is local level risk management (LLRM), which had been piloted in Ararat marz of Armenia during the first phase of the project. The main aim of LLRM is to reduce disaster risk and promote a culture of disaster resilience in the target communities, raise public awareness on DRR trough education and trainings, well as to integrate DRR into local development projects and budgets. LLRM provides tools and techniques to the target audiences to be better prepared to disasters and elaborate emergency preparedness and response plans.
The second focus area of the project is development of National DRR Strategy and making functional National ARNAP Platform for DRR which aims to create a common and strengthened coordination system of DRR in Armenia.
UNDP Armenia is looking for a local expert on DRR Education to support UNDP Armenia and ARNAP National Platform in adjustment of DRR educational component into DRR National Strategy and in adaptation of training materials that have been developed and piloted in Ararat Marz during the first phase of the Project. It is also expected that the expert will support the UNDP designated national agency (DNA) in implementing LLRM module in Tavush, Lori, Syunik and Shirak Marzes of Armenia organising and conducting training sessions at community level.
Working with the project team the Expert should provide necessary input in the DRR mainstreaming into community and regional levels. In particular, the Expert should provide recommendations on DRR integration into local level development plans and budgets, and develop/adjust DRR Education component in this regard.
Description of Responsibilities
The expert is also responsible to develop Education component for DRR National Strategy.
Under the overall coordination of UNDP DRR Adviser and direct supervision of the DRR Project Coordinator, the Expert will be responsible for the following activities:
1. Facilitate mainstreaming of DRR Education component into municipal and community level development plans.
a. In cooperation with project experts, DNA, Rescue Service and Territorial Administration departments develop recommendations, tool-kits to integrate DRR Education into community development plans of local governance.
b. Working together with community representatives, local Focal Points, project experts and representatives of Territorial Administration, Rescue Service develop local Action Plan to integrate DRR Education into community development plans. Action Plans should include measures directed towards the improvement of public knowledge in the disaster risk reduction, climate risk management and gender-balance as basic directions.
c. In cooperation with representatives of Territorial Administration, Rescue Service, DNA and project experts, identify and prioritise a small-scale mitigation project for each vulnerable community.
d. Facilitate mainstreaming of DRR activities and small-scale mitigation projects at local levels. Involving the representatives from other selected communities in the identification, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in order to promote effectiveness and learning impact of the projects.
2. Strengthening regional and local capacities through general awareness raising trainings and ToT on DRR issues. In particular
a. Studying the DRR Education materials available in the country;
b. Identification and selection of target groups both for TOT and General trainings;
c. Development and adaptation of training materials (both theory and practical exercises) for the trainings;
d. Planning and monitoring of proposed trainings;
e. Provide detailed report on the accomplished works for both trainings.
The topics of the materials will be elaborated at a later time but should also address the key subjects/topics such as:
• General introduction on DRR.
• Main risks of selected Marzes and communities, prevention methods
• Issues of environmental protection
• What is disaster preparedness and why it is needed or important?
• Legal basis (national and international) for emergency situations and population protection (DRR National Platform, HFA etc.)
• Information management in emergency situations
• Disaster preparedness and response plans in public schools
• Development of contingency /disaster response plans for community members as well as local government bodies.
• Climate Risk Management.
• Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment.
The training materials should incorporate the results of the Risk, Vulnerability and Capacity assessments conducted in selected marzes as evidence of practical applicability of the obtained knowledge.
The trainings/workshops are envisioned to be in two phases: first phase 4 days in each selected community and the second phase, which will mainly address issues of the effectiveness of the results and works accomplished and testing of emergency preparedness plans one day in each selected community.
The training/workshops will be conducted in most vulnerable communities (covering 5 communities at once). The target audience will include representatives from local government, media, schools and hospitals, as well as general public – men, women, youth. The groups will have about 15-20 participants and it is expected that the interactive approach in conducting the training/workshop will be maintained.
The trainings will be conducted in Armenian language, though the synopsis of topics and teaching materials should be submitted to the project management for comments and approval in both languages (English and Armenian) within 3 months after the final selection of the candidates. It is also required that questionnaires for training evaluations will be completed by the participants after the end of the sessions.
3. Development of Educational component for integrating into DRR National Strategy.
a. Advising the National Platform (NP) to apply DRR Related Educational component into DRR National Strategy.
b. Developing the DRR Educational component and related approach and methodology to be included in DRR strategy.
c. Participating in the conference on DRR strategy and present DRR Educational chapter.
Expected Output
1. DRR Educational component of DRR National strategy is developed and consulted with stakeholders.
2. Tool-kit and guideline on integration of DRR educational component into local planning and budgeting developed or adopted.
3. General trainings and TOT conducted and awareness of target groups raised on mainstreaming of DRR Educational components in community strategies and development projects.
4. Training materials on DRR educational component developed and distributed to the target communities.
5. DRR Educational chapter presented in the conference.
Qualifications
Experience:
Proven experience in practical work in the field of Crisis Management, good understanding of disaster risks. Minimum 3 years of experience in public relations (with wide variety of people from government, marz administrations, communities, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and research institutions). Experience in conducting trainings, workshops, simulation exercises in disaster management (at least 3 years. Extensive experience in developing training modules/curricula, organizing and delivery of trainings. Experience with international projects. High degree of independence and responsibility. Result oriented, fact based management approach.
Skills:
Excellent analytical and report-writing skills. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills. Highly motivated and enthusiastic. Good team player.
Languages: Good knowledge of Armenian and English.
Computer skills: Good knowledge of computer software (MS Word Excel, PowerPoint; web applications Access).