Terms of Reference – Short Term Consultancy

Consultant for Nature Based Solutions in Disaster Risk Management

World Bank and Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)

Background

The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, with the commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) is a partnership of the World Bank Group, United Nations, major donors and recipient countries under the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) system to support the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). Launched in September 2006, GFDRR provides technical and financial assistance to help disaster-prone countries decrease their vulnerability and adapt to climate change.  GFDRR works closely with UN agencies, client governments, World Bank regional offices, and other partners.

GFDRR is organized by thematic areas of engagement:  Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Management, Resilient Infrastructure, Resilient Cities, Hydromet Services, Financial Protection, Community Resilience, Resilience to Climate Change, and Resilient Recovery. Nature-based solutions to Disaster Risk Management (DRM) are housed under the Resilience to Climate Change area of engagement.

In 2017, the World Bank and GFDRR initiated the program on Nature-based Solutions for DRM which has received funding from GFDRR, the Program for Forestry (PROFOR) partnership and the World Bank. This program is a collaborative effort with the Environment, Water, and Disaster Risk Management teams in the Bank, and focuses on the use of nature-based solutions (e.g. forests, wetlands, mangroves and urban green) for disaster risk management. It aims at coordinating and supporting the growing nature-based programmatic and operational work across the World Bank.

Traditionally, “grey” or “hard” infrastructure solutions have dominated the efforts to reducing and managing disaster risk. Examples for these types of mitigation measures include seawalls, additional water reservoirs or raising the height of dams. However, over the last decade, strong evidence has surfaced that nature-based solutions or ecosystem-based approaches are efficient and effective alternatives for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Over the past years, the demand for nature-based solutions has increased as a way of better managing exposure to natural hazards and climate change, while simultaneously building resilience of vulnerable communities in a sustainable manner. Many international agreements such as the UNCBD, UNFCCC, UNCCD and the RAMSAR Convention have called for increased efforts in scaling up nature-based solutions to managing disaster risks and potential impacts. Institutions such as UN Environment Programme, Conservation International, Wetlands International, International Union for Conservation of Nature or The Nature Conservancy have conducted case studies that demonstrate the usefulness of ‘ecosystem smart disaster risk reduction’, including proof of concept. The World Bank is also currently implementing several studies and projects related to nature-based solutions and DRM, including in Haiti, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Suriname and Vietnam.

Whereas nature-based solution projects have great potential, there are major challenges in effective implementation. Development professionals currently do not have sufficient evidence and guidance to decide between grey, green or hybrid options, nor on the various assessments that are needed for sustainable design and management of such projects. As a result, many projects have not materialized or have failed to deliver positive outcomes.

This program will aim to increase the knowledge regarding, and effective implementation of, nature-based solutions for DRM, by producing a range of knowledge products, including actionable implementation guidance for project leaders and an external and internal knowledge platforms; facilitating a community of practice within the World Bank; and providing operational support to investment activities.

Duties and Accountabilities

Under the direct supervision of the Task Team Leaders of the NBS program, the incumbent shall be responsible for the following activities:

Community of Practice

Contribute to the development of the NBS Community of Practice (‘CoP’) and provide support in the organization of CoP meetings (e.g: identification of topics and speakers, preparation of agenda and draft invitation, contribution to the discussions, logistics).

Knowledge management products and tools

Strengthen and keep up to date the existing knowledge products and, if necessary, take a leading role in the development of new products, such as guidance notes, visual products, and the online NBS web platform, in collaboration with the wider team and external partners.

Operational support

Provide on-demand technical and operational cross support to project teams (‘task teams’) in order to mainstream NBS into project preparation and implementation; proactively identify, together with task teams and in a structured manner, the obstacles and opportunities for nature-based solutions in the project cycle and make recommendations on ways forward.

Program support

Provide support on the management of the wider NBS program, including with annual progress review, reporting and planning, and other tasks as requested.

Selection Criteria

  • A minimum of Master’s degree with 3-5 years’ experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience in a field relevant to natural hazard risk and environment. A PhD is an advantage.
  • Substantial knowledge of, and experience in, disaster risk management and the use of nature-based solutions (or ‘green infrastructure’, or ‘ecosystem-based adaptation’). Broad experience in engaging with a range of decision-makers. Demonstrated understanding of disaster risk management institutions and their roles in reducing risk.
  • Demonstrated track record of working independently, seeking guidance on complex projects/issues from senior specialists.
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate, participate in, and act as a catalyst for, strategic cross-sector dialogues within the network, across the country, among Bank colleagues and other development institutions, government, and other organizations.
  • Demonstrated experience in sharing of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across units and with clients and partners, articulating ideas verbally and in writing in a clear and compelling way across varied audiences.
  • Highly developed communication and advocacy skills, including ability to write concisely and clearly in English and synthesize complex documentation and ideas for a range of audiences.
  • High degree of motivation, initiative, flexibility, reliability, and responsiveness to changing demands; capacity for effective multi-tasking, with demonstrated ability of being an independent starter with minimal supervision, and a high capacity to persevere for results.
  • Experience in working for the World Bank, resulting in an understanding of large, complex organization, is a plus.
  • Deals sensitively in multi-cultural and matrix environments.
  • Written and spoken fluency in English.

Required Competencies

  • Integrative Skills – Working to develop an integrated view across all facets of DRM sector.
  • Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena – Understands policy making process; distills operationally relevant recommendations/lessons for clients.
  • Policy Dialogue Skills – Identifies and assesses policy issues and plays an active role in the dialogue with the government and/or other stakeholders.
  • Drive for Results – Takes personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results, and has the personal organization to do so.
  • Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion – Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team’s work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view.
  • Knowledge, Learning and Communication – Actively seeks knowledge needed to complete assignments and shares knowledge with others, communicating and presenting information in a clear and organized manner.
  • Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making – Analyzes facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others’ work.

 

Application

Please send your cover letter and CV/resume by email to Denis Jordy, djordy(at)worldbank.org no later than September 20, 2018.

Organization: World Bank

Deadline to Apply: September 20, 2018