Disaster Risk Management Specialist - World Bank - Washington, D.C

The sub-Saharan African region has a population of around 800 million people in 47 countries, and is a vibrant environment for development work. The region is highly vulnerable to natural disasters and number of disasters has increased significantly. Over the last four decades, Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced more than 1,000 disasters, with 300 disasters in the last five years alone affecting more than 330 million people, with significant loss of economic activity. Disasters in Sub-Saharan Africa are predominately hydro-meteorological and climatological such as droughts, floods, cyclones, and landslides.  Droughts and floods together account for 80% of loss of life and 70% of economic losses.

GP SURR is promoting a proactive and strategic approach to managing natural disaster risk in Africa. The underlying thrust has been that both loss of life and the economic impact of disasters can be reduced by advanced planning and investments.   In order to pursue this goal, the Bank has been engaged and supported clients in key areas of the DRM framework, concentrating on the following areas:

(i)  Disaster risk assessments at the regional and country level by analyzing the vulnerability and potential effects and impact of disasters. (ii)  Monitoring and forecasting of natural hazards via support to the modernization of the hydro-meteorological services and creating the operational and effective links with emergency management authorities. (iii)  Disaster preparedness through improved emergency response, emergency communication and information systems, and raising public awareness. (iv)  Mitigating risk through support to investments that reduce disaster risk, reconstruction, incorporating improved building standards to public infrastructure, and land-use and urban planning incorporating the knowledge of flood prone zones; etc. (v)  Disaster risk financing through providing better knowledge and access to innovative risk financing solutions.

The Africa Urban and DRM team with has grown rapidly over the past three years. The main objective of the DRM team is to (a) mainstream DRM into sustainable development policies and investments (b) strengthen the capacity to respond timely and effectively to disaster situations, and (c) assist client countries in their efforts to strengthen their resilience against natural disaster by strategically investing in vulnerability reduction programs. It works with across units within the Africa Sustainable Development Department and outside the department to mainstream DRM operations into its core lending and AAA activities.

Duties and Accountabilities:

•  Carries out responsibilities for a variety of operational tasks including lending, technical assistance and policy advisory work, e.g. technical analyses, design of technical assistance interventions, participation in loan negotiations, etc. and take on the lead of specific activities as requested. 

•  Participates in missions in area of specialization; provides technical inputs and guidance to counterparts on appropriate scope, technology, costs, etc.; prepares terms of reference for project- or sector-related work.

•  Makes regular and as needed missions related to lending project preparation and implementation support and analytical/policy advisory work.

•  Provide operational and substantive support to emergency response and recovery activities and operations in the aftermath of disasters.

•  Support task teams to deliver disaster risk reduction investments/components, emergency recovery loans, CAT-DDO operations, DRM technical assistance programs, as well as prepare analytical and advisory activities.

•  Contribute to policy dialogue and just-in-time advisory work in the area of disaster risk management.

•  Participate in professional development and knowledge sharing activities in the DRM sector and contribute specific knowledge both within the assigned countries and in the World Bank.

•  Perform other duties and functions in support of the DRM team as assigned by the Practice Leader – Africa Disaster Risk Management

Desired Skills and Experience

•  Advanced degree (PhD or Masters) with 5 years of work experience in economics, water resource management, urban planning, disaster risk management, structural engineering, environmental engineering, infrastructure development, or similar relevant discipline.
•  In-depth knowledge and a sustained record of achieving high quality, substantive results in the DRM sector in areas such as risk assessment and finance, disaster risk reduction, flood and drought risk management, early warning and hydro-meteorological services, urban resilience, post disaster needs assessment, emergency recovery and reconstruction, etc.
•  Ability to be mobilized immediately after a disaster and travel to the field with short notice (typically 3-5 days).
•  Proactive approach to managing workflow, with keen ability to multi-task and respond quickly and flexibly to a wide range of issues which come up on a regular basis in ad hoc and unexpected ways.
•  Excellent organizational and task management skills, with appropriate attention to details and ability to prioritize work among multiple competing demands, and under tight deadlines.
•  Excellent command of English.  French language skills are highly desired.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in race, gender, nationality, culture, and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

For further details and to apply, please go to www.worldbank.org/careers and under “current job openings” seek vacancy number 151100. Deadline for applications June 25, 2015.