UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT
Preamble:
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to
support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of
development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace
and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism
into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and
support 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 co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in
volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as
well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the
time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
1. UNV Assignment Title:
Disaster Risk Management Specialist
2. Type of Assignment:
International UN Volunteer – (UNV Outcome 4)
3. Project Title:
Strengthen DRR/DRM
4. Duration:
24 months
5. Location, Country:
Ndjamena, Chad
6. Expected Starting Date:
Immediate
7. Brief Project Description:
Chad is vulnerable to natural disasters including drought and floods.
The recent floods heavily affected more than 100.000 people, their livelihoods and the country’s
capacities to recover sustainably. In November 2010, the floods from the Chari River resulted in
thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing to the capital. BCPR provided an emergency
grant to assist the affected people. However, there are limited capacities in terms of Disaster Risk
reduction (DRR) both at the Government and at the UNDP levels.
The floods negatively affect human security because of loss of habitat; recurrent gender-based
violence due to promiscuity and lack of privacy in host cities. Floods also challenge food security and
leads to lower generated income as people’s health conditions are affected (including risk of various
epidemics (cholera, meningitis, polio) and other diseases.
To date, displaced populations are accommodated in public buildings, sometimes in poor conditions.
These temporary shelters are however overcrowded and are not equipped to give people access to
basic services nor any form of social protection (Food, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Health and
Non-food Items.) In parallel, the government, in collaboration with the UNCT needs to enhance its
crisis response.
The UNCT has provided immediate available assistance to victims (Health by WHO, NFI by UNICEF,
CICR and UNHCR, WASH by UNICEF, and food by WFP) and initiated the mobilization of
international resources through a Flash Appeal process and a request to be submitted to the CERF
Rapid Response window. To capitalize on this response, the Government needs support in setting up
an effective coordination mechanism to facilitate current and future response to crisis.
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A joint inter-departmental technical committee adopted an emergency response plan and the Chadian
government has sent a request for assistance to the UN Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian
Coordinator. This emergency response plan covers immediate and medium term needs such as:
 Infrastructure’s rehabilitation and constructions for water drainage (pumping stations, culverts)
 Development of sites for resettlement of affected populations (IDPs);
 Action to prevent pandemics, including enhanced sanitation (garbage collection, access to
drinkable water, hygiene awareness raising)
 Provision of essential first necessity goods to address immediate needs and any future needs
that may result from further floods, such as shelter (tents, tarpaulins), food, NFI (mats,
blankets)
Thus, the aim of this project will be to contribute to strengthening the government DRR/DRM
capacities through support the provision of technical capacity to strengthen UNDP’s CO. It will
specifically enable UNDP to provide an adequate and appropriate support the newly established
Comité National d’Assistance aux Sinistrés des Inondations (CONASI) – and the Comité Technique
de Lutte contre les Inondations (CTLI), which are Sector Working Groups established in the
framework of the Contingency Plan, for an initial four - months response period. In parallel, this project
will allow enhanced capacity for DRR within the UNDP CO and allow further support to the Crisis
Committee which has just been set up in N‘ Ndjamena and which includes government specialized
bodies and representatives of the humanitarian community.
8. Host Agency/Host Institute:
UNDP
9. Type of Assignment Place: Non-family
10. Description of tasks: The Disaster Management Specialist (IUNV) based in Ndjamena, will report to
the UNDP/CDRRP Programme Manager and work closely with national and provincial authorities.
The duties of the Disaster Management Specialist include:
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Developing a capacity development plan and supporting its implementation through effective
liaison, technical assistance and partnership development, in close collaboration with the
UNCT and the Comité National d’Assistance aux Sinistrés des Inondations (CONASI), and
the Comité Technique de Lutte contre les Inondations (CTLI);
Coordinating and providing guidance for establishing Disaster Management Information
Systems in Chad;
Developing public awareness campaign materials on disaster risk management;
Monitoring progress and evaluating results and reporting back to the relevant stakeholders,
including UNDP;
Providing technical assistance for developing and operationalizing EOCs at national and
provincial levels;
Supporting the preparation of contingency plans;
Reviewing existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of key national and provincial
departments, and draft SOPs concerning the key response functions; e.g. rapid assessments,
rescue/first aid and hospitalization, relief management (food/nutrition, clothing), post-eventevacuations, shelter, water/sanitation, logistics management, security, communications, early
recovery etc. in line with globally accepted minimum standards and based upon local
institutional context;
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Provide guidance and mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into sectoral policies and plans;
Contributing to human resource development in the field of disaster reduction by organizing
and conducting periodic and special trainings for UNDP staff and government staff engaged
in ‘community based disaster management;
Contributing to the development of UNDP’s long-term strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction,
seeking complementarities and mainstreaming into other UNDP practice areas/projects of the
Country Office;
Documenting best practices from ongoing programmes. Share these lessons learned and
good practices with the UNDP Country Office, the UN Country Team, and relevant knowledge
networks.
Promotion of the United Nations Volunteers Programme mandate 1
UN volunteers are expected to integrate the UN Volunteers Programme mandate within their
assignment as well as promote voluntary action through engagement with communities (urban &
rural) during the course of their work. As such, UN volunteers should dedicate a proportion of their
working week to the following in support of and in synergy with their primary role as Disaster Risk
Management Specialist
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Strengthen knowledge and understanding of the influence and impact of voluntary action by
communities in monitoring processes related to their recovery and development through;
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research of the subject matter (disaster risk mitigation/response through voluntary
action),
develop knowledge of non-profit community based organizations developing new or
applying traditional methods of disaster mitigation to enhance community resilience
and development and engage with them,
undertake awareness-raising (promotion) activities to increase others’ knowledge of
methods and means for citizens to build resilience against disaster through increased
community participation and action
encourage local people to volunteer thought and action to enhance community
resilience and development based on principles of proven preventative methodology
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Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers and fellow UN volunteers to better understand
the connections between community resilience and voluntarism;
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Monitor on a continual basis the impact of integrating DRR work with voluntary action at the
community level;
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Promote and/or advise local groups in the use of OV (online volunteering), and encourage
relevant local individuals and groups to use OV whenever technically possible.
Assist with the UNV “buddy programme” for newly-arrived UN Volunteers.
Contribute to articles/write-ups on the work of the UNDP peacebuilding portfolio and the
above outlined activities and submit them to UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press
releases, etc.;
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11. Results/Expected Output:
 A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development within your host
community
 Quarterly progress reports to the CO and UNV Field Unit.
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The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme was created by the General Assembly (GA) in 1970 through GA resolution 26/59. Since then, UNV’s mandate has
been expanded by GA resolution 31/131 in 1976, GA resolution 56/38 in 2001 and others in the follow-up to the International Year of Volunteers in 2001.
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12. Qualifications/Requirements:
The volunteer should hold an advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in disciplines such
as disaster management, geography, environmental management, economics, urban and regional
planning with at least five years of development work experience that includes three years in disaster
management. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree in any of the disciplines mentioned above and a
minimum of five years of work experience in disaster management programming that includes:
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capacity building and training related to disaster management organizations and systems;
experience with emergency response and early recovery programming;
demonstrated ability to contribute to the development of policies, plans and guidelines pertaining
to disaster risk reduction;
experience in working with the national and sub-national government authorities;
proven ability to work as part of multi-disciplinary teams;
demonstrated intellectual leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic,
policy and operational objectives;
experience in adult education/skills transfer, preferably in a developing country
13. Skills
 Ability to develop partnerships with a range of stakeholders in the field of disaster risk
management including the government, other UN agencies and civil society
 Knowledge and understanding of integrated approaches to development, with a focus on capacity
development
 Excellent analytical and report writing skills
 Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word
processing, spreadsheets, internal databases, Internet etc.
 Ability to manage assignments effectively - consistently ensuring timeliness and quality of work
 Ability to develop and contribute creative solutions towards issues of disaster risk reduction
 Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision
 Fluency in oral and written French and English is essential
14. Living Conditions: Living conditions in Chad are generally difficult. Although the post is based in
N’djamena, frequent travel will be expected and thus a volunteer should prepare for these mission
appropriately, by taking some limited and necessary supplies. Limited amounts of fruits, vegetables
and fish are available outside large cities’. However, a market operates daily for the basics and some
food and non-food items are available. The main religion is Islam.
In terms of communication, GSM operators exist and Internet connection is available from the office.
In terms of security, this is a security level 3 area and staff are requested to remain vigilant and not
stay outside during the night.
15. Conditions of Service: A Contract is issued for 12 months at a time. Settling-In-Grant is provided.
Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) – intended to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost-ofliving expenses – ranges between US$ 2,424 and US$ 2,874, depending on the number of primary
dependents. Life, health and permanent disability insurances are included, as well as periodic home
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leave, final repatriation, and resettlement allowance. UNV will provide a copy of the UNV Conditions
of Service to the successful candidate together with the offer of assignment.
As per UNDP conditions: R&R (Rest and Recuperation) once every 12 weeks, 5 R&R (calendar)
days, with the flight tickets (ref: R&R policy).
Description of Assignment prepared by the Project Manager/UN Entity: UNDP
Date: November, 2011
Description of Assignment approved by UNV HQ:
Moraig Henderson, Deputy Chief PD
Date: December, 2011
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