Specialist in Financial Mechanisms for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) – based in Peru or Ecuador

The Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre is a reference centre of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the field of climate change and climate-related disasters. The Centre’s mission is to assist the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and its partners in reducing the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events on vulnerable people.

The Climate Centre consists of an enthusiastic team that guides a growing network of consultants worldwide in integrating climate risks into their work. The Climate Centre works closely with the Netherlands Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Project Background

Despite budget allocations at both national and sub-national levels for Disaster Risk Management (DRM), Peru and Ecuador face significant challenges. In both countries, a more efficient use of available resources will not only yield better outcomes for vulnerable and disaster-affected populations but also strengthen the case for prioritizing DRM within national and sub-national budgets. This is crucial as disasters become increasingly exacerbated by climate change.

Historically, the focus has been on disaster response, with limited investment in prevention and mitigation, leading to insufficient risk prevention and mitigation funding. Mobilizing and executing resources for risk management is key to building disaster resilience. Peru and Ecuador, as part of the Andean countries highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disaster risks, face significant burdens related to disaster risk, requiring more effective management of financial mechanisms for DRM. This consultancy aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing financial mechanisms for DRM in Peru and Ecuador (both national and sub-national), including an assessment of institutional challenges.

Objective

The project aims to improve sub-national governments’ access to financial mechanisms related to disaster prevention, mitigation, and preparedness. This initiative will enhance community resilience to disasters by strengthening local government capacities, and support prioritization of DRM within national and sub-national budgets.

Scope of Work

The specialist will be responsible for:

• Context Analysis: Assess the current framework of financial mechanisms for disaster risk reduction in both countries, including identifying historical, existing, and planned financial instruments in national and sub-national governments in Peru and Ecuador. Include a comparative section with other countries in the region that have successfully implemented similar financial instruments to identify best practices and lessons learned applicable to Peru and Ecuador.
• SWOT and PESTEL Analysis: Conduct an analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) related to existing financial mechanisms, along with a political, economic, social, technological, ecological, and legal (PESTEL) analysis at the country level.
• Financial Instrument Mapping: Analyze and map all available financial instruments, including public, public-private, and multilateral options, classifying their availability for different DRM processes and potential accessibility for national and sub-national governments in both countries. Examine accessibility levels for financial mechanisms over the past 5 years, identifying the main sectors or government levels that accessed them, the number of applications submitted versus approved, and the types of interventions funded.
• Financial Risk Assessment: Evaluate financial risks associated with current mechanisms and propose mitigation strategies. Analyze external factors affecting financial stability and suggest measures to address these challenges.
• Strategy Development: Design strategies for implementing financial mechanisms that facilitate disaster preparedness and response, summarized in technical data sheets, flow charts, and infographics. Create a database with all analyzed instruments and information. Develop specific recommendations to improve access for sectoral and sub-national government entities to relevant and appropriate financial mechanisms for disaster risk management, considering national and international best practices and lessons learned from past experiences.
• Report Preparation and Presentation: Present reports with recommendations and action plans for implementing proposed mechanisms, and hold virtual presentations for the team and donors.

Expected Results

• A diagnostic report on the current state of financial mechanisms in Peru and Ecuador, covering initial findings from the analysis of mapped financial instruments and identified DRM gaps.
• A report with a database and flow charts attached as editable annexes.
• A report proposing a methodology to address the identified gaps.
• A final report detailing specific recommendations to improve sub-national governments’ access to financial mechanisms for DRM, based on international best practices and lessons learned from past experiences.

Methodology

The specialist will use qualitative and quantitative methods, including:

• Review of national and international documents on financial mechanisms.
• Interviews with key stakeholders from national and sub-national governments.
• Evidence-based analysis and diagnostics.
• Comparative analysis with other countries that have successfully applied financial mechanisms for DRM.

Specialist Profile

• Education: Background in Economics, Engineering, Risk Management, or related fields.
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of proven experience in policy coordination and financial mechanisms for disaster risk management.
• Knowledge: Familiarity with the context of Peru and Ecuador, as well as international DRM regulations.
• Skills: Excellent communication and facilitation skills, strong time management, and writing skills.
• Location: Consultant must reside in Peru or Ecuador.
• Languages: Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish is essential; proficiency in English is also required.

We value diversity in backgrounds and experiences and encourage individuals from all cultural backgrounds, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, and age groups to apply.

We offer a remote assignment from home, flexible working hours, and a global virtual work environment with opportunities for initiative and personal development. The contract is for forty (40) days of work at a daily rate of USD $250. The assignment will be from 6th December 2024 until 28th February 2025. The full vacancy text in Spanish and English can be found via our website.