Deadline: 19 October 2015
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is currently seeking applications from the eligible applicants for the post of Risk Knowledge Economist based in Geneva, Switzerland.
UNOPS mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Key Job Responsibilities
The Risk Knowledge Economist will perform the following functions-
- Assist national governments in designing, establishing and enforcing integrated disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) measures in their public investment and planning systems so that new infrastructure built by countries do not constitute new risks, in line with the SFDRR mandate of preventing new risks and reducing existing ones.
- Define and coordinate the provision of UNISDR support to the development of methods and tools to track investment in disaster risk reduction by national governments, including at the sector and territorial level.
- Coordinate and participate in the processes of capacity building for national governments in the different tools that will be needed for countries in the processes of optimizing, increasing and justifying their risk reduction investment portfolio including but not limited to cost/benefit analysis (CBA), catastrophe models, budget tracking and other tools deemed necessary.
- Organize the provision of policy advice to governments and regional organizations on the design of optimized and cost-effective investment strategies in disaster risk management, including investments in disaster risk reduction, risk sharing, through insurance, capital markets and other means and social protection.
- Design research methods and tools to identify the factors and variables that explain vulnerability to hazard and resilience to disaster impacts, including the impact on the private sector.
- Develop mechanisms to monitor public investments in disaster risk reduction, including through the on-line SFDRR Monitor. Advise the development of on-line statistical and visualization tools to display results.
- Provide substantive guidance and support to the communications and outreach work of UNISDR.
- Coordinate the preparation of strategic and programme plans and budgets; prepares programme and project documents; ensures that activities are monitored and evaluated and that progress reports and prepared in a timely fashion.
- Perform other duties as required by the Head of the Risk Knowledge Section
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have-
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics or closely related field.
- A first-level university degree in combination with at least two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic analysis, with particular emphasis on public finance and the economics of disaster risk reduction.
- Fluency in English (both oral and written) is essential and in another working language of the UN Secretariat desirable. Knowledge of a third UN official language is an advantage.
- In depth knowledge of the economics of disaster risk reduction, as demonstrated through publications.
- Experience with national government or with a relevant technical assistance project in at least one developing region.
- Understanding of the international policy framework and institutional architecture of disaster risk reduction.
- Wide network of disaster risk reduction researchers and practitioners, particularly in the economics field.
- Familiarity with methodologies and information systems for loss accounting and risk assessment.
- Understanding of the international policy framework and institutional architecture of disaster risk reduction.
- Wide network of disaster risk reduction researchers and practitioners, particularly in the economics field.
- Familiarity with methodologies and information systems for loss accounting and risk assessment.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through online process.
For more information, please visit UNOPS.
