Consultancy for the Integration of Resilience Criteria in Critical Infrastructure

Result of ServiceTo contribute to strengthening resilience criteria in critical infrastructure projects in Costa Rica through the development of strategic inputs, technical recommendations, and capacity-building activities aligned with the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), and other relevant strategic frameworks. The consultancy is expected to generate a methodological basis applicable to various contexts across the region, using the formulation of resilience criteria under the Regional Programme for Resilient Infrastructure (PROERI) in Costa Rica as a case study. Work LocationHome-based Expected duration15.08.25 - 22.12.25 Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses, and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action, and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk by working with the U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians, and the science and technology community. Since its establishment in 1999, UNDRR has promoted and supported the strengthening of resilient infrastructure, particularly critical infrastructure (CI), through global advocacy and efforts to scale up risk-informed investments. This commitment was solidified with the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (Sendai Framework), especially Target D, which focuses on substantially reducing disaster-related damage to critical infrastructure. In recent years, UNDRR has reinforced its focus on resilient infrastructure through the development of the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure, a comprehensive framework resulting from a global consultation process involving over 100 countries, academic institutions, multilateral organizations, private sector entities, and technical partners. These principles provide a normative and strategic foundation for achieving a net gain in resilience at the national level by ensuring the continuity of critical services such as water, energy, transport, and telecommunications—essential for the functioning of key systems including health and education. Building on these principles and in partnership with the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), UNDRR developed the Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Review (GM-IRR), which aims to guide risk-informed public and private investment decisions. This methodology has become a key tool for strengthening regulatory and institutional frameworks and advancing implementation of the Sendai Framework. Within this context, and as part of broader efforts to apply this approach at the national level, this consultancy will support the integration of the resilience approach—drawing on the Global Methodology—into the criteria for resilient reconstruction under the Emergency Program for the Comprehensive and Resilient Reconstruction of Infrastructure (PROERI). PROERI includes the execution of 502 infrastructure projects, benefiting approximately 3.8 million people. This includes 299 projects classified as imminent risk and 203 projects in emergency contexts. The program aims not only to restore the functionality of damaged infrastructure but also to strengthen its resilience to future adverse climate events. This consultancy will promote a multi-hazard approach while enhancing the resilience perspective in Costa Rica’s infrastructure reconstruction efforts. Role of UNDRR UNDRR will contribute its technical expertise to align the resilient infrastructure criteria of PROERI with the Sendai Framework, ensuring coherence with Costa Rica’s national commitments to disaster risk reduction. The consultant will be home-based and under the supervision of the Economic Affairs Officer of the UNDRR Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean (ROAC). Duties and Responsibilities I. Conduct a comparative and critical review of relevant strategic frameworks—including the Sendai Framework, the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Financing Framework, Build Back Better–related frameworks, disaster risk management planning and policy instruments, regulatory frameworks on risk assessment and critical infrastructure, and the General Guidelines for Incorporating Resilience Measures in Public Infrastructure (Decree 42465)—to identify areas of convergence and opportunities for integration applicable to the design of resilience criteria for critical infrastructure. II. Develop an analytical matrix that systematizes key elements from the reviewed frameworks, prioritizing those related to risk governance, financing, sustainability, inclusion, continuity of critical services, and long-term planning. III. Draft a reference document to serve as the technical basis for integrating resilience criteria into reconstruction projects, incorporating a contextualized approach for Latin America and the Caribbean. IV. Provide continuous technical advice to the team responsible for developing the PROERI criteria through participation in technical meetings, document reviews, written feedback, and follow-up sessions. V. Identify gaps, challenges, and areas for improvement in the preliminary criteria, ensuring alignment with international frameworks and responsiveness to Costa Rica’s national context. VI. Systematize lessons learned from the technical advisory process, with an emphasis on elements that are replicable in similar processes across the region. VII. Design a methodological guide for formulating resilience criteria for infrastructure reconstruction projects, structured in phases or components, with tailored guidance for different stakeholder profiles. VIII. Co-design and facilitate two technical workshops: the first, introductory, to present conceptual frameworks and the fundamentals of resilient infrastructure; the second, focused on validating the results and fostering institutional ownership. IX. Develop communication materials for both technical and non-technical audiences, including an impact story highlighting the importance of integrating resilience into reconstruction processes, and short pieces adapted for social media. X. Participate in technical meetings, inter-institutional coordination spaces, and working groups convened by the responsible entities, providing specialized feedback to support alignment of the criteria with the Sendai Framework and a resilient infrastructure approach. Qualifications/special skillsA first-level university degree in civil engineering, architecture, environmental engineering, environmental sciences, disaster risk management, or related fields is required. At least of five years of experience in urban resilience, climate action, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, or related areas is required Experience within the United Nations system or any other international organization is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy fluency in Spanish is required. Knowledge of English is desirable. Additional InformationDue to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. *FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*. UNDRR values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women, men, and people with disabilities. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.