THE ASEAN SECRETARIAT IN JAKARTA INVITES ASEAN NATIONALS TO APPLY FOR THE FOLLOWING VACANCY

 

CONSULTANCY SERVICES

 

TECHNICAL ADVISOR

 

ASEAN-UN/ISDR Technical Cooperation for the Implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action in ASEAN

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

 

 

Background

 

The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters was adopted at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in January 2005 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan to provide concrete guidelines for reducing substantially the effects of disaster over the next decade. HFA outlines the Priorities for Action to guide countries, organisations and other stakeholders at all levels in designing their approaches to disaster risk reduction (DRR).

 

ASEAN has articulated many of the elements of the HFA into the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER), which was signed by ASEAN Foreign Ministers on 26 July 2005 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. AADMER seeks to provide effective mechanisms to achieve substantial reduction of disaster losses in lives and in the social, economic and environmental assets of ASEAN Member Countries for sustainable development. In consonance with the HFA, AADMER mandates ASEAN Member Countries to pursue cooperation and collaboration in areas of common concern along the Priorities for Action of the HFA. The ASEAN Regional Programme on Disaster Management (ARPDM) being implemented by the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) also outlines ASEAN’s regional strategy, priority areas and activities for DRR for the period of 2004-2010.

 

The ASEAN-UN/ISDR Technical Cooperation for the Implementation of the HFA in ASEAN aims to: (i) provide technical expertise to ASEAN in the implementation of DRR components of AADMER and ARPDM along the lines of the HFA, including capacity building and human resources development; (ii) address any emerging gaps in the programmes, strategies and activities of ACDM and Member Countries for DRR; and (iii) promote and facilitate coherence of regional and national programmes and efforts for the accomplishment of the HFA Priorities for Action.

 

Job Description

 

ASEAN Secretariat is seeking for a full-time, short-term Technical Advisor to facilitate the implementation of activities under the project and ensure availability of technical expertise to ASEAN Member Countries and the ASEAN Secretariat. Reporting to and under the direct supervision of the Head of Environment and Disaster Management Unit of the Bureau for Resources Development of the ASEAN Secretariat, the Technical Advisor will:

  1. Promote, facilitate and monitor the implementation of the HFA Priorities for Action at regional and national levels in consultation with the relevant countries, and report on the progress made to the second meeting of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) in 2009. The following main specific outputs are expected:

    1. Multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral National Platforms for DRR in ASEAN Member Countries developed or existing national coordination mechanisms for disaster management strengthened with DRR capacity;

    2. Comprehensive national strategies for disaster risk reduction outlining agreed national DRR priorities in the context of the HFA and the Beijing Action Plan for DRR enhanced or developed;

    3. Sub-regional report on DRR implementation in ASEAN countries produced by August 2008 and submitted to the UN/ISDR Asia and Pacific.

  2. Provide technical inputs to the implementation of AADMER and ARPDM, particularly the DRR components;

  3.  Facilitate overall information management on disaster risk reduction, including the coordination of databases, country profiles and sustainable information management mechanisms at the sub-regional and country levels, including through PreventionWeb;

  4.  Design and implement one regional, and in consultation with relevant Member Countries conduct national consultative meetings and capacity-building workshops in line with the implementation of HFA Priorities for Action;

  5.  Assist ASEAN Secretariat and UN/ISDR Secretariat in mobilising financial and technical resources for the identified consultative meetings and capacity building programmes;

  6.  Provide technical support to the ACDM in the development and implementation of DRR related programme activities;

  7.  Assist in preparing technical papers and facilitate presentations on DRR in ACDM and other relevant meetings;

  8.  Assist ASEAN to contribute to Regional Platform for DRR meetings and discussions;

  9. Promote closer collaboration and partnership between and among ACDM, other ASEAN relevant bodies, UN/ISDR Secretariat, UN systems, and other regional and international organisations and initiatives.

 

Qualifications

 

The candidate should possess the following qualifications:

 

  • Advanced degree in fields related to disaster management gained from a reputable institution;

  • At least ten (10) years of experience in the fields of DRR, humanitarian affairs, policy development, and project planning and management;

  • Extensive exposure to and comprehensive knowledge of a wide-range of disaster related issues as well as DRR initiatives particularly in the ASEAN region, both at technical and policy levels;

  • Good knowledge of environmental issues and challenges in the ASEAN region;

  • Sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN and ASEAN systems;

  • Relevant experience working for governments and/or international organisations on consultancy assignments in related subjects;

  • Excellent command of English both written and oral;

  • Proficiency in standard computer applications;

  • Ability to work as a team in a multi-cultural environment;

  • Ability to multi-task and work irregular and long hours;

  • Ability to travel as required.

 

Employment Terms

 

The successful candidate will be offered the following terms:

 

  • A contract of service for an initial period of 6 months, with a possible extension of another 6 months;

  • A salary, inclusive of all benefits, of up to USD 5,000 per month, to commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience;

  • For a candidate residing outside Jakarta, appropriate travel arrangements will be made at the beginning and end of the assignment;

  • The Technical Advisor will be based at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on a full-time basis.

 

Applicants should mail or email their application, containing a cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae (CV), a recent passport-sized photograph, certified true copies of educational qualifications and other supporting documents, and copies of at least two of their original reports/publications, to the Personnel and Training Unit, ASEAN Secretariat, 70A Jalan Sisingamangaraja, Jakarta 12110, Indonesia or hr-asean@aseansec.org to be received not later than 16 December 2007. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified.