THE FOLLOWING IS A POSTING FOR A PAST POSITION AND IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

PURPOSE:  As Urban Disaster Mitigation Specialist, the contractor will be PMPP's technical, analytical, and program support Urban Disaster Mitigation expert and OFDA's Program Leader for activities mitigating potential urban crises.  S/he will lead the team responsible for developing OFDA's, and the Bureau's, economic/urban strategy as well as planning, monitoring and evaluating OFDA's country and regional economic and urban programs and activities.  Technical representation will be required in the areas of emergency urban issues, regional economic planning, cost/benefit analyses of mitigation activities, and regional/urban planning data/information systems.  S/he will report directly to the Assistant Director for Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, and Planning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  Specific responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

1.  Take lead responsibility for the development and implementation of integrated regional urban disaster  mitigation programs for OFDA.

2.  Provide technical expertise for monitoring and evaluation of OFDA-supported economic planning and regional/urban  prevention, mitigation, and preparedness efforts.

3.  Take lead responsibility for preparation of an integrated OFDA urban disaster mitigation and economic impact strategy; coordinate office and field input, discussion, and review.  The strategy should emphasize prevention, preparedness and mitigation of the effects of disasters upon economic assets in such areas as transportation, health facilities, urban infrastructure, and regional economic planning capacity.  The strategy will identify linkages with ongoing USAID urban-related, and regional economic (Global and regional bureaus) programs, and resources.

4.  Take lead responsibility for developing linkages between OFDA's mitigation efforts and other donors' related relief and developmental activities.

5.  Serve as OFDA's internal resource for the analysis and integration of regional urban development issues associated with natural, technological and complex emergency disasters.

6.  Assist OFDA to identify and define priority regional and urban development problems to be addressed in preparing for and responding to man-made and complex emergencies. Provide technical assistance on how to better address or factor regional planning and urban development dynamics and considerations into OFDA's strategies for humanitarian emergencies.

7.  Assist PMPP to set priorities and refine its strategy and approach for mitigation for natural and technological disasters. Particular emphasis will be given to assisting OFDA to better define its "niche" in mitigation, and to ensuring that OFDA's limited resources achieve maximum results. This will entail a review of PMPP's overall program strategy, PMPP's current mitigation portfolio, Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) assessment, Famine Mitigation activities, etc..  Advise PMPP on approaches for successfully "marketing" its mitigation strategy within OFDA and USAID.

8.  Participate in the design, review and implementation of regional strategies (particularly those for the Central Asian Republics, the Caucasus, Asia, and Africa) by providing guidance on how to incorporate PMPP's mitigation priorities into their overall regional strategy, and on the design of interventions specifically related to the management and mitigation of hazards in an urban and local development context.

 9.  Manage (serve as PMPP's focal point) PMPP's current mitigation portfolio for natural and technological hazards (e.g. AUDMP, CDMP, PAHO- hospital mitigation, RHUDO/Urban Program Relationship).  Coordinate with field contractors, Regional Housing/Urban Development offices, OFDA Regional Advisors, USAID, etc. on project implementation, and provide technical support, as required.  Advise OFDA Regional Advisors for Asia and LAC on how to more effectively link mitigation, regional planning, and urban issues into their current strategies and programs.

10.  Help formulate, review and recommend new program initiatives, including studies and pilots, deemed to advance OFDA's capacity to mitigate and respond to natural and technological disaters, and humanitarian emergencies in an urban context.

11.  Represent OFDA and PMPP's policies and positions on regional/urban issues and dynamics, as they relate to mitigation and humanitarian emergencies, to other agencies and organizations including the UN, U.S. federal agencies, international donors, private voluntary organizations, and the private sector.

12.  Identify and recommend areas for research. Develop scopes of work (SOW) and monitor research studies and project activities related to regional and urban planning and mitigation, (i.e. cost-benefits of mitigation, economic impact studies, social, physical and environmental issues). Advise OFDA on how to best apply or factor research findings and lessons learned into its planning and programming processes.

13.  Participate in DARTs and assessments and serve as DART or team leader if requested.  Provide technical assistance, at OFDA/W's or field's request, following a natural or technological disaster on how to factor mitigation measures and approaches into reconstruction and rehabilitation planning.

14.  Establish and maintain a broad network of contacts from relevant academic, scientific, policy, and development institutions, including associations with other USAID offices/bureaus to keep abreast of developments in regional and urban planning,with an emphasis on hazard management and mitigation.

 
QUALIFICATIONS:  Advanced degree in Urban/regional developmental area.  Preferred fields of specialization include natural hazard management, regional development issues and policy, land use planning and regulation, urban and rural economic development, and emergency management.
 
Six to eight years of experience with program planning and design. Hands-on experience as a project manager, related to urban/regional development and economic issues in developing countries.  Experience in managing or working on projects that have specifically focused on hazard management and mitigation in an urban context related to: regional development, urban policy and planning, infrastructure management, demographic and housing conditions, etc..

Strong analytical skills combined with the ability to focus on the "big picture".  Able to develop  priorities and formulate strategies compatible with/to advance OFDA and PMPP's policies. Capable of articulating a "case" for addressing regional/urban development issues into OFDA's agenda, and of effectively communicating this need to diverse stakeholders, within and external to OFDA.

Capable of working independently and as part of a team. Understanding of developing and developed country contexts and requirements and familiarity with relief and developmental programs.

Requires a minimum of 3 years overseas experience, working with international donor and development institutions, and non-profit organizations.  Preferred geographic experience in Asia, Central Asian Republics and/or Latin America/Caribbean.  Must be willing and able to travel overseas - sometimes under hazardous conditions. Foreign language skills a plus.

SUPERVISION:  The Urban Disaster Mitigation Specialist will report to the Assistant Director of the Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness and Planning Division of OFDA or her/his designee.  The Specialist is expected to demonstrate the highest degree of individual initiative, resourcefulness and responsibility.  The Specialist will receive programmatic guidance from the AD and other OFDA staff, as appropriate.