UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT
Preamble:
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism tosupport peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature ofdevelopment and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peaceand development
elopment by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism
into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers
volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long
long-established,established, ancient traditions of sharing andansupport within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism
and play a role in development and peace together with coco-workers,
workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote vo
volunteerism
lunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging involunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, aswell as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make thetime they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
1. UNV Assignment Title:

Disaster Risk Reduction Officer

2. Type of Assignment:International UN Volunteer /X/X/
National UN Volunteer /3. Project Title:/

Integrated Disaster and Climate Risk Management Project in Lao PDR

4. Duration:

1 year

5. Location, Country:

UNDP Country Office, Vientiane capital Lao PDR

6. Expected Starting Date:

April/2013
April/2013

7. Brief Project Description:
Lao PDR is prone to a number of hazards such as floods, flash floods, droughts, storms, rodent
infestations, earthquakes, epidemics and UXO (National Risk Profile, NDMC/UNDP). These recurrent
natural hazards often result in human and economic losses, mainl
mainlyy affecting poor rural communities whoselivelihoods depend heavily on subsistence agricultural activities. In order for Lao PDR to achieve
Millennium Development
ment Goals (MDG), in particular MDG 1
1- Poverty Reduction, it is imperative to enhancedisaster and climate risk management capacities at all levels. Lao PDR is working to implement the Hyogo
Framework for Action 2005-2015
2015 and ASEAN Agreement for Disaster Management and Emergency
Response (AADMER). Thesese international frameworks promote the substantial reduction of disasterlosses, in lives, and in the social, economic and environmental assets of communities and promotion ofgood governance.
Since 1999, UNDP has been working to strengthen government and community capacities to respond toemergencies, prepare for disasters
disasters, and adapt to climate change in Lao PDR. Among accomplishments todate, the Lao Government (in collaboration with UNDP) has: established a National Disaster Management
Office to coordinate emergency
rgency response across government and inteinternational
rnational agencies,agencies completed aNational risk profile, hazard risk
isk assessment and vulnerability mapping,, developed
developa National Disaster
Management Plan (2012-2015),, and completed awareness raising at community and government levels.
As a next phase, UNDP will be working with the Lao government to the put the new National Disaster
Management Plan into operation.. We will also be working to better integrate across emergency response,
post-disasterdisaster recovery and climate change/early warning activities that araree each housed in different
departments.
To this end, we are seeking a UNV Intern to assist UNDP and our government partners to plan andimplement these next phase of activities
ctivities. Focus areas will include: a) building emergency preparedness
and response strategies at community, district, and provincial levels, b) taking steps to better integrate
emergency response, post-disasterdisaster recovery and climate change, c) improving national and inter-agency
intercoordination on early recovery, and d) identify
identifying gaps in disaster management strategy for further
development and funding.
8. Host Agency/Host Institute:

UNDP Country Office, Vientiane Capital Lao PDR

9. Organizational Context:The UNV will be based out of the UNDP Environment Unit in Vientiane
Vientiane,, Lao PDR.
PDR They will work closelywith the UNDP unit staff and key government agencies responsible for disaster management
maand climatechange adaptation, in particular the National Disaster Management Office (NDMONDMO) and the Department ofNational Disaster Management and Climate Chan
Change (DNDMCC).

The NDMO was established in 1999 as the secretariat National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC).
It serves as the central focal point for all domestic and international networks on disaster response,
mitigation and recovery activities: promoting and organizing disaster management training for government
staff and communities, coordinating relief activities for disaste
disasterr victims during disasters,
disaster and acting as
center for disaster management information management and assessment.
10. Type of Assignment Place: assignment with or without family
11. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of the Environment UnUnit
it Manager of UNDP Lao PDR, who plays the oversightrole of all projects under the Environment portfolio, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:•Provide analytical and coordination support to the unit’s Disaster Risk Management and Climate
Change Adaptation portfolios•

Help coordinate workshops, field visits and meetings bringing together relevant government
departments and international agencies to identify strategic gaps in existing disaster management
and climate change strategies and areas for further development, action and/or coordination.

•Research best-practices in areas such as emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, risk
assessments, climate change forecasting, early warning systems, and community-based
community
disasterplanning models to help
p inform government strategies and actions;•Support the integration of gender consideration into disaster management strategies•

Research and advise on appropriate monitoring and evaluation indicators and frameworks
to track accomplishments and effectiveness;•Help develop funding proposals, project reports, case studies, and other information sharing
materials•

Research, advise and support development of community-based
based preparedness pilots andTraining of Trainers (ToT) modules aimed at building provincial, district and community
capacities in disaster preparedness and emergency response.

•Support coordination of the Early Recovery Cluster Group under the Inter-Agency
InterCoordination Committee – the committee responsible for coordinating emergency response
across government and international partners.

•Support the establishment of Disaster Management Information System•Any other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant•

UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that markIVD);•Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;•Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in
ongoing reflection activities;
Contribute articles/write-ups
ups on field expexperiences
eriences and submit them for UNV publications/websites,•newsletters, press releases, etc.;•Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly
newly-arrived UN Volunteers;•Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local
individuals
dividuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technicallypossible.

12. Results/Expected Output:•Improved and integrated ccross-government and inter-agency
agency strategies for disaster risk
management and climate change adaptation•

Development and delivery of disaster risk reduction activities informed by relevant best-practices•

Development and delivery of community
community-based
based disaster preparedness pilots, capacity building
training modules•

Brief interim report which will include an overview of the project work achievements,
achievements challenges andway forward•

Expanded range of communication materials on disasterisaster management and climate change adaptation.

•Technical and coordination support provided to the project•

A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, suchas reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participa
participated
ted in and capacities developed

13. Qualifications/Requirements:
Education

Masters degree in Disaster ManagManagement, Climate Change,, Development Studies, Sustainable
Development, Public Administration, Rural Development or related fields.

Experience and skills

•

4 years relevant experience in areas such as emergency response, disasterisaster management, climatechange adaptation or related fields
fields.

•Experience in planning, implement
implementing, and monitoring development projects in related area.

•Strong inter-agency coordination skills and eexperience implementing partnership-based
partnershipprojects,workshops, and/or events ideally in an area pertinent to this position•

Strong analytical and writing skills combined with an ability to research and analyze technical andpolicy information and present findings in a clear, succinct manner•

Good understanding of Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation strategies•

Experience collaborating with government agencies and the international development
deve
communityin Asia an asset•

Excellentt English communication skills•

The ability to takee initiative, ensure efficient follow up, and work flexibly and effectively inmulticultural teams•

Computer literacy, ability to use information technology effectively as a tool and resource•

Previous volunteer experience is an asset•

Knowledge Lao would be an asset.

•

Knowledge of international conventions would be an asset

Competencies•

Ability to work independently and in teams•

Works to achieve the strategic goals of UNDP and promotes the vision, mission and values ofUNDP•

Builds and maintains lasting relationships with key constituents (government, donors, partners,other institutions and other UNDP offices and bureaux)•Focuses on impacts and results for the client•

Recognises and responds appropriately to the ideas, interesinterests
ts and concerns of others; encourages
and contributes creative solutions to address challenging situations•

Promotes a learning environment, facilitates the development of individual and team knowledge,
skills and competencies;•Seeks, applies and shares kn
knowledge and information•

Demonstrates strong analytical and communication (written, verbal, and interpersonal) skills•Demonstrates ability to work in the organised and systematic manner and under pressure in multimulti
disciplinary and multi-cultural
cultural teams

14. Living Conditions:•The position will be based in the capital, Vientiane. Living conditions in Vientiane are
comfortable but residents must make concessions due to the tropical climate and underunderdeveloped infrastructure, including health facilities. Most commodities may be purchased inVientiane.

•Whilst traveling in the Lao provinces staff will experience more hardship due to lack ofinfrastructure and general commodities.

15. Conditions of ServiceA 12-month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs andutilities, equivalent to equivalent to US$1,933 for single person; US$2,183 for persons with one recognized
dependent; US$2,383 for persons with two or more reco
recognized dependents; settling-in-grantsettling(if applicable);life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance forfsatisfactory service.
Description of Assignment prepared by the UNV Field Unit/UNUnit/UN Agency:

Yvette Lizée, Environment Unit Manager, UNDP Lao
Lao-PDR
Date: 2525-1-2013 (day/month/year)

Description of Assignment approved by UNDP/RR/CD or UNV Field Unit:
Unit:(please indicate name andfunction)
Date:(day/month/year)