Methodologies and Data Requirements for Wildfire Risk Assessment in the Americas and the Caribbean
Organizational Context
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the UN system's focal point for coordinating disaster reduction efforts. It guides, monitors, and reports on the Sendai Framework, supporting regional and national implementation. This role contributes to a regional program on wildfires, enhancing capacities for evidence-based, inclusive, and gender-sensitive wildfire risk reduction strategies.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to conduct a comparative assessment of existing quantitative wildfire risk assessment methodologies for the Americas and the Caribbean. The purpose is to identify suitable approaches, data requirements, and pathways for developing a regionally comparable wildfire risk model. The assessment will inform the implementation of the EU-LAC Memorandum of Understanding on disaster risk management and strengthen wildfire risk knowledge for disaster risk reduction and Integrated Fire Management. The work supports the development of inclusive, gender-sensitive, and evidence-based wildfire risk reduction strategies, addressing critical gaps in data and methodologies to support informed decision-making.
Responsibilities
Conduct a comparative assessment of existing quantitative wildfire risk assessment methodologies, evaluating their data and technical requirements, geographic scales, outputs, strengths, limitations, and applicability across the Americas and the Caribbean. Identify relevant regional and international methodologies and applications. Provide recommendations on suitable approaches and pathways for advancing quantitative, prospective, and probabilistic wildfire risk assessment, considering available data, capacity, and context. Assess the extent to which methodologies account for differentiated exposure, vulnerability, and impacts, including sex, age, and disability-disaggregated data. Conduct a feasibility assessment in one Andean, one Central American, and one Caribbean country to evaluate the usefulness of identified methodologies and identify data, methodological, or capacity gaps. Develop a visual factsheet on how quantitative and probabilistic wildfire risk assessments inform decision-making in integrated fire management. Prepare technical reports, materials, and a presentation for dissemination, including webinar support.
Work Experience
A minimum of three years of experience in disaster risk assessment is required. Specific experience in wildfire risk assessment and with quantitative or probabilistic wildfire risk assessment methodologies is essential. Experience working with government institutions or regional/international organizations in the Americas and the Caribbean is desirable.
Skills
Disaster risk assessment, Wildfire risk assessment, Quantitative and probabilistic wildfire risk assessment methodologies, Data analysis, Report writing, Presentation skills, English and Spanish fluency.