Project Officer – Disaster Risk Management Financing and Public Private Partnerships (For Nepalese Nationals Only) – UNDP – Kathmandu, Nepal

Location: Kathmandu with frequent field visits, NEPAL

Application Deadline: 04-Mar-13

Additional Category: Environment and Energy

Type of Contract: Service Contract

Post Level: SB-4

Languages Required: English 

Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)   01-Jun-2013

Duration of Initial Contract: One year with possibility of extension

Background

The Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Programme (CDRMP) has been formulated as part of the Strategic Partnership Framework signed between the BCPR and UNDP, and in accordance with Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium.   The programme aims to strengthen the institutional and legislative aspects and mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Nepal by building the capacities of key ministries.   In Nepal, disasters have significant impact on all sectors and all stakeholders - individuals, business, national and local governments.  Given its significant risk profile, engaging with the private sector will be key to making risk resilient development in Nepal. Private sector involvement in disaster management seems to have focused on disaster response and relief so there is great need and potential extending this engagement to DRR.   The government can help to share the risks and burden of disasters by creating an enabling environment and regulating private sector involvement in disaster risk management (DRM) activities. It further has the responsibility to create incentives and/or disincentives in form of taxes, penalties, tax breaks, subsidies, grants, etc. that will either reward or punish. The private sector can contribute to risk reduction by identifying their risk exposure and reducing this exposure through investments in disaster risk transfer, risk mitigation and building resilience. They can also not only formulate business continuity plans but develop products and services that can help reduce the vulnerability of communities in which they operate or to which goods and services are sold to. Collaborating with government actors provides the opportunity to private sector to find innovative ways in which their own long-term self-interest will be fulfilled while also fostering more resilient communities and economies.   Direct partnerships between the Government and private sector in areas such as risk transfer through insurance, or through effective monitoring and quality control of building materials and processes can create win-win situations for businesses, the government and consumers.   In addition to that, UNDP Public- Private Partnerships for Service Delivery ( PPPSD) (together with the UNDP CO has been active in pro poor  Public Private Partnership (PPP) concept dissemination, building consensus around the concept and its institulization which led to the creation of an enabling legal and policy environment for the private sector and other non-state actors participation in the delivery of basic services (The development of a public partnership framework and action plan for DRR in Asia). However, so far no such activities have been implemented. With these above background, UNDP Nepal’s Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Programme plans to engage with the private sector during its course of implementation period from 2012-2015. The CDRMP programme has prioritized three key interventions in this regard: private businesses who provide risk resilient products and services and to maximize profits consumers and civil society actors who can demand for safe, risk resilient products and services from businesses and governments and the government who encourages, monitors and regulates PPPs and sets standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

In order to help achieve above specific outcomes, UNDP requires the services of a Project Officer - Public Private Partners to help support CDRMP initiation in this area.   This position will contribute towards programme outputs aims to towards orienting financing mechanisms towards risk reduction and risk managing, strengthening relief funding mechanisms, strengthening financial mechanisms for DRM and increasing access to financial services for risk reduction.  It will also help improve tracking of investments in DRM –CRM in Nepal in support of wider Government efforts.  The incumbent will report to the Project Officer, Climate Risk Management and Community Based Disaster Risk Management. The specific role and responsibilities of the PO – PPP are as follows: Complete a short mapping study on DRM and PPP to help to ascertain on-going initiatives, and to refine programme approaches for effective implementation on PPP in the field of DRM: The study should be based on a thorough desk review, and also a series of key informant interview with key government stakeholders, including the FNCCI, Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) and donors or other organizations working in this area.  Interviews should also be conducted with at least five Construction Material Supplies Company; five banking and insurance sector; five Production Companies; the Hotel Association; Nepal Bureau of Standard and Metrology; Confederation of Nepalese Industry (CNI); at least ten media (radio, TV, paper) and at least two mobile telecommunications companies. Develop mapping format to find out on-going PPP initiatives in the country in close consultation with partner agencies Collect materials related to PPP on DRM from the country and abroad/ region Based on review and mapping, interview selected stakeholders Orienting financial mechanisms towards risk reduction and risk management: Support optional financial mechanisms for DRR and recovery. Propose diversified financial mechanisms for DRR and recovery Propose partnerships with micro-finance institutions and rural banks for specialized financials services such as insurance, credit, etc.    Support the relevant RSLUP/ Building Code Project Officer (PO) to develop a partnership with the construction industry for a ‘seal of approval’ standard system for contractors who commit to adhere to building code and use quality products from approved sources: Organize at least 2 stakeholder consultation meetings Draft with the NBSM a set of follow-up actions that can be included in the 2013 work plan. It should also include liaison with UNDPs media team to provide at least 2 press releases and relevant media work to raise awareness among business owners and other stakeholders, like the Chamber of Commerce. Outreach to the realtors’ and or building constructors’ association to improve their marketing plan to more prominently highlight seismic safety and risk reduction: Organization of at least 2 stakeholder consultations, resulting in an action plan to be undertaken in 2013 Assist the realtors and Building Constructors Associations to improve their marketing plan to more prominently on seismic safety and risk reduction. Develop a strategy paper to on creating demand for safe schools and hospitals focusing on involving youth and parents associations: Work with media (social networking sites, facebook, petitions, etc) to engage the private sectors in the field of overall DRM in Nepal, and include analysis of the role that key organisations such as PABSON and Nepal Medical Council who play in promoting safe schools and hospitals respectively. Support the Climate Risk Management (CRM) PO to involve private sectors and philanthropic institutions/ individuals in the field of climate risk management: Assist PO – CRM to develop concept paper on how private sectors and philanthropic individuals/ institutions can be involved in climate risk management initiatives in Nepal. Develop information materials on CRM that can raise public awareness and mobilize resources for the projects/ activities implementation. Impact of Results: The effective management of the activities related to PPP, and delivery of CDRMP objectives in compliance with UNDP rules and procedures will impact efficient delivery of CDRMP results and outputs, fiscal and human resource management and administration. Specific results include: The outputs related to PPP are delivered and activities are implemented in a timely and politically sensitive manner. Integration is established among all activities of the CDRMP. Staff and team morale is maintained as per UN code of conduct. All necessary reporting deadlines are met and M&E processes built into the CDRMP. Constructive relationships are built and maintained with all internal and external actors that impact CDRMP delivery. Knowledge products, that capture both best and failed practices are developed and disseminated.

Competencies

Corporate competencies: Demonstrated high moral integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards, impartiality and discretion and proven capacity of initiative, discretion and autonomy. Promotes the vision, mission and strategy of UNDP Displays respect to diversity and cultural, gender, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity.  Functional Competencies: Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example. Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills. Development and Operational Effectiveness: Sectoral planning, results based management and reporting. Able to formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate programmes and projects, as well as resource mobilization skills. Able to implement new systems with attitude change among implementing partners. Management and Leadership: Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback. Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude. Effective communications skills and ability to establish good working relationships with national and international interlocutors. Demonstrated openness to change and ability to solve problems and manage complexities. Ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive environment with a minimum of comfort. Ability to travel under harsh conditions within the country whenever required. Excellent team building skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  Master degree in economics, development economics, marketing, business management or relevant fields  Experience: At least three (3) years of experience of development of policy, framework on public private partnership in Nepal and/or in the region Excellent and proven track record of previous work with government and private companies and its affiliated organizations and agencies in development of PPP -related results Experience of work with international agencies will be an asset Excellent written skills at professional level Computer skills: Good knowledge of computer applications especially MS Offices. Language: Fluency in English and Nepali at professional level are essential.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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