Project Coordinator – Disaster Risk Communication

Mission and objectivesUpdate

ContextThis United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of a two-year regional project on disaster risk communication and early warning systems in Southeast Asia, implemented by the UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and funded by the European Union (DG ECHO). UNDRR is the global co-lead of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, launched in 2022. This project is part of UNDRR’s efforts to enhance early warning system coverage and effectiveness under the EW4All initiative. The project aims to improve early warning systems in Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR, ensuring that women, girls and persons with disabilities receive timely, accessible and accurate early warning messages and can act on them to protect themselves, filling critical 'last-mile' gaps in early warning delivery. The project will be implemented at the local level in five communities in Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR, and in close collaboration with universities and civil society organizations. Result 1 of the project includes qualitative research to understand people’s risk behavior, done in collaboration with local universities. Result 2 includes the establishment of tripartite crisis communications platform at the local level with local authorities, community members and media (in collaboration with civil society organizations); capacity building around risk communications; and developing risk communications strategies and plans. Result 3 looks at exchanging best practices and lessons learned from the project and wider risk communication experience between Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, as well as Malaysia and Vietnam. Main stakeholders in the project include local authorities, national and provincial disaster management authorities, women’s groups, organizations of persons with disabilities, community representatives, media and the donor DG-ECHO. The project runs until 31 May 2027. This assignment is initially for 12 months and may be extended, based on satisfactory performance and project needs, until the end of the project.

Task DescriptionThe UN Volunteer Expert will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the regional project on disaster risk communication and early warning systems in Southeast Asia. The UN Volunteer Expert will work closely with a National UN Volunteer (Project Officer – Disaster Risk Communication) on implementing the project and be supported by UNDRR’s Risk Knowledge Officer for Southeast Asia, Gender Advisor and Disability Advisors, and other staff. The UN Volunteer Expert will perform the following tasks : Project management and coordination : - Coordinate the overall implementation of the project, ensuring timely and quality delivery of outputs in accordance with the project workplan, budget and donor agreement. - Lead the coordination of field-level activities with implementing partners and community stakeholders, in close collaboration with a National UN Volunteer (Project Officer – Disaster Risk Communication). - Ensure regular communication and coordination among national counterparts, local governments, civil society, and media partners. - Provide guidance to the National UN Volunteer (Project Officer – Disaster Risk Communication), ensuring effective division of responsibilities and collaborative workflows. Operational and Financial Management : - Oversee and monitor project expenditure. - Ensure compliance with UN financial and administrative rules and procedures in all procurement, contracting, and partnership arrangements. - Prepare documentation for grants, contracts, and agreements, including terms of reference. - Support financial reporting and forecasting to ensure transparent and efficient use of project resources. Donor and Stakeholder Engagement : - Act as primary liaison with DG ECHO regional and headquarters offices, providing regular updates, coordinating field visits, and ensuring donor requirements and visibility guidelines are met. - Build and maintain effective working relationships with national and local authorities, civil society organizations, and development partners, in close collaboration with a National UN Volunteer (Project Officer – Disaster Risk Communication). - Represent UNDRR in relevant meetings, workshops, and coordination forums related to this project. Monitoring, Reporting and Learning : - Develop and maintain systems for tracking project progress, results and challenges, including both qualitative and quantitative indicators. - Lead the drafting of narrative donor reports, internal progress reports, and knowledge products, supported by the UNDRR External Relations Officer. - Facilitate cross-country exchange and documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and innovations in inclusive risk communication. - Contribute to the visibility of the project through drafting stories, case studies, and contributions to UNDRR communication platforms. Other : - Undertake regular travel to project sites in Thailand, Lao PDR and Cambodia. - Perform any other related duties as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies and values• Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organizing • Professionalism

Living conditions and remarksThailand is located in Southeast Asia. The climate is tropical, with the monsoon season running from May/June through October/November. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, and it is also the most populated city in the country. It is located in the Chao Phraya River delta in the central part of the country. Bangkok has an estimated population of 8.75 million as of 2017 (13% of Thailand’s total population), based on data from the 2010 census. Over the past decades, Bangkok has grown rapidly with little urban planning or regulation. This has led to traffic congestion and air pollution, and there is frequent flooding of streets during the rainy season in the city’s low-lying areas. The cost of living in Thailand is relatively low, as compared to many other capitals in Southeast Asia. Housing is widely available in various sizes and at various price points. Private healthcare in Thailand is of excellent standard, and there are numerous top hospitals in Bangkok, which fall far below countries like the US in terms of price. There are numerous high-quality international schools available in Bangkok, with English as the language of instruction. Bangkok has different public transportation options, including the BTS Skytrain and MRT Underground, metered taxis, mobile-based ride-hailing services (Grab, All Thai Taxi, etc.), tuk tuks, motorbike taxis, buses and boats. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”