James R. McArthur

Disaster Risk Reduction/Management Expert, GIS & Remote Sensing Professional

Through my MSc. degree with the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), I have been able to gain great insight and experience from the world's top experts in the field of disaster risk reduction, humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, climate change adaptation, and the sustainable development goals. During my time with UNU-EHS I had the opportunity to support the joint IOM/UNDAC (United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination) Vanuatu Mission Team as part of a wider preparedness process by UN OCHA.

Prior to my path with UNU-EHS I completed an Honours Bachelor's Degree in Geography and Environmental Management specializing in Geomatics with a Diploma of Excellence in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at the University of Waterloo in Canada. I have 10 years of experience of geospatial analysis, 3 years professionally in remote sensing training and managing international teams, and 2 years of experience in DRR/CCA. I have spent time working in 10 countries including; South Africa, Namibia, Indonesia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Norway, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Germany, United States,and Canada. Within the UN system aside from UNU-EHS I have spent time with the United Nations Space Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) in Bonn Germany where I worked on analyzing areas of drought in Central and Latin America and the Caribbean. I have also spent time as a Disaster Risk Reduction and Human Security researcher with UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina(BiH) after the devastating Balkan floods and landslides that affected in BiH alone 1 million people and destroyed infrastructure, businesses, livelihoods,farms and crops. I hold an Advanced in The Field Security Certificate through the UN Department of Safety and Security, and a Certificate from the Academy for Crisis Management, Emergency Planning and Civil Protection (AKNZ) through the German Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK).