I. Overview

Through USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA), the United States (U.S.) sponsors qualified U.S. citizens for employment in the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program.

These fully funded JPO positions strengthen the capacity of UNDRR and further encourage U.S. citizens to become active members of the international community. After completing their JPO assignments, a number of JPOs successfully compete for positions at UNDRR and in other international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

II. General Information

Title: JPO in Resource Mobilization

Organization/Office: UNDRR, External Relations Section

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Start Date Required: As soon as possible

Duration: One year, with possibility of a one-year extension

The USAID/BHA sponsored JPO will be an employee of UNDRR, not of the U.S. Government.

III. Duties, Responsibilities, and Output Expectations

Within delegated authority and working closely with the External Relations Section, the Junior

Professional Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Research and compile background information to support the Section with its objective to broaden the donor base, particularly with new prospective donors.
• Contribute to identify partnership and resource mobilization opportunities from emerging donors – including from the innovative multi-stakeholder international funds, IFIs and topical pooled funding mechanisms (such as CREWs, Centre of Excellence for Climate and Disaster Resilience, Adaptation Fund, etc))
• Support the development, implementation and monitoring of partnership strategies and resource mobilization plans within assigned portfolios.
• Prepare donor profiles, stakeholder maps, databases; donor intelligence and analyses and track policy developments and implications on donor priorities and budgets.
• Develop targeted products and initiatives to mobilize resources and attract additional funding for UNDRRs strategic priorities.
• Support the planning and organization of specific events and meetings with key partners and donors.
• Contribute to reports, blogs, social media and other communication materials related to donors, and provide feedback on donor messaging, needs and perspectives.
• Contribute to internal communication and information sharing efforts with global UNDRR branches and regional offices.
• The supervisor may require additional tasks

IV. Supervision

The JPO will report to the Chief for the External Relations Section

Content and methodology of supervision:

• Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed upon work plan, in agreement with the objectives of the Section set by the Chief of the Section. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the JPO and his/her supervisor.
• Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve as a primary platform to evaluate the JPO’s performance.

In addition to the above, the JPO will meet periodically (weekly preferred or on mutual availability of the JPO and the supervisor) with the supervisor to keep him/ her updated on the progress.

V. Qualifications and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business, public administration, political science, international relations, development, social and environmental sciences, economics or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in partnerships, resource

mobilization, communication and outreach liaison or a related area is required. Experience working on development issues, in international relations, climate change and sustainable development is desirable. Experience working in an international development or humanitarian organization is desirable.

Languages:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other official language(s) is desirable.

Additional Desired Technical Skills:

Experience in the use of computers and proficiency in office software and packages,

as well as good knowledge of and experience in handling web-based management systems

(computer skills etc.).

UN Competencies:

• Professionalism: Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to assist with data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating inclusion perspectives (gender & disability) and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Communication: Speaks fluently, expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; presents information with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience; presents information in a well-structured and logical way.

Workforce Diversity:

The United Nations believes that an inclusive culture attracts the best talent and encourages all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, disability, sexual orientation, cultural or religious backgrounds, to apply.

VI. Learning Elements

On completion of the assignment, the JPO will have/be able to:

• Unique opportunity to work at the nexus of disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, humanitarian action and sustainable development
• Acquired knowledge of innovative international funding instruments or pooled funds
• Established a wide network with other UN and donor partners
• In-depth understanding of UN work in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, anticipatory action and sustainable development.
• Facilitate civil society and private sector partnership with the UN
• Support strategy development of UN agency work programmes with partners
• Undertake well researched and sound analysis of sustainable development issues, including on the implementation of the Sendai Framework, the 2030 Agenda, and the Paris Agreement
• Assist in the organization and preparation of meetings with the key partners
• Liaise and interact with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally
• Draft project proposals
• Draft project budgets according to UN standards
• Formulate project documents to address issues of public private partnership issues
• Monitor progress on commitments made by a group of organizations

VII. Background Information

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 100 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.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 was adopted on March 18, 2015 at the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 established a clear mandate for building resilience to disasters as a common denominator across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Disaster risk reduction is associated with at least 10 of the Sustainable Development Goals, inherent in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on financing for development, the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Agenda for Humanity. The implementation of the Sendai Framework is a critical investment that delivers a risk-informed 2030 Agenda and is effectively reducing humanitarian needs.

UNDRR is working to directly link the Sendai Framework Monitoring instrument and global and

regional platforms for disaster risk reduction to the monitoring and reporting on the 2030 Agenda. UNDRR is leading the UN thinking on the integration and coherency between disaster risk reduction and the 2030 Agenda. Delivering for example, through the facilitation of the revised UN Plan of Action for Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience; producing and disseminating risk information including development of national disaster loss data bases for risk-informed decisions; supporting the development, implementation and financing of national and local disaster risk reduction strategies; and, mobilizing partnerships that deliver co-benefits across the 2030 Agenda.

In line with the Sendai Framework, UNDRR seeks to achieve the following 4 key results, as set out in its Strategic Framework 2022-2025:

• Countries use quality risk information and analysis to reduce risk and inform development decisions.
• DRR governance strengthened at global, regional, national and local levels.
• Catalyze investment and action in DRR through partnership and engagement.
• Support Member States and mobilize stakeholders through advocacy and knowledge sharing to make disaster risk reduction central to sustainable development.

UNDRR’s vision is anchored on the four priorities for action set out in the Sendai Framework:

understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk,

investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Examples of activities to achieve these results include:

• Integrating disaster risk reduction and the Sendai Framework into intergovernmental policy decisions at global and regional levels to guide a risk-informed approach to sustainable development, climate action, and humanitarian action at national levels.
• Preparing periodic reviews on progress, in particular for the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, and, as appropriate, in a timely manner, along with the follow-up process at the United Nations.
• Monitoring the implementation of the Sendai Framework.
• Generating evidence-based and practical guidance for implementation in close collaboration with Member States and through the mobilization of experts.
• Reinforcing a culture of prevention among relevant stakeholders through supporting development of standards by experts and technical organizations, advocacy initiatives and dissemination of disaster risk information, policies and practices, as well as by providing education and training on disaster risk reduction through affiliated organizations.
• Supporting countries, including through national platforms or their equivalent, in their development of national plans and monitoring trends and patterns in disaster risk, loss and impacts; convening the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and supporting the organization of regional platforms for disaster risk reduction in cooperation with regional organizations.

UNDRR has five regional offices – in Asia-Pacific (Bangkok), Africa (Nairobi), Europe (Brussels), Arab States (Cairo) and Americas and the Caribbean (Panama) – and the UNDRR Headquarters in Geneva. UNDRR also maintains a UN Headquarters liaison office in New York, a liaison office in Bonn and presences in Kobe, Suva, and Incheon.