National Consultant – Disaster Risk Reduction Coordination Specialist

Background

A total of 745,000 Rohingya have fled violence across the border from Myanmar into Cox’s Bazar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts since August 2017. They have joined the over 300,000 Rohingya who took refuge in Bangladesh in earlier. While benefiting from the generous hospitality offered to them by the people of Bangladesh, the scale of the crisis is such that Bangladesh cannot be expected to single handily meet the most acute needs of the Rohingya. Substantial additional support from the international community is required.

Bangladesh is ranked among the top ten most disaster-prone countries in the world, and Cox’s Bazar district is exposed to numerous hazards including cyclones, landslides, flash floods, and earthquakes. The location, living conditions and status of the Rohingya make them highly vulnerable to disastrous impacts from these hazards. To manage the threat to life and health posed by these risks and hazards, the humanitarian actors in Cox’s Bazar have stepped up their disaster risk reduction and preparedness efforts. An Emergency Preparedness Task Force has been formed to support sectors. UNDP has been requested to play a technical advisory role within this task force, with particular focus on disaster risk reduction and coherence with national systems and capacities.

In support of Government and humanitarian actors’ efforts to manage the seasonal and extreme weather events associated with the cyclone and rainy season, UNDP is implementing multi-year, multi-donor programme for strengthening Disaster Risk Management in Cox’s Bazar (January 2018 to March 2021). The programme focuses on providing or enhancing the capacity of local government to respond to disasters in the changed context, mapping and improving critical disaster management infrastructure, and providing disaster risk management technical advisory services to the humanitarian community. The programme works towards six results:

1. Local government capacity to manage disaster and extreme weather events in the district s is strengthened - through additional human resource, testing of contingency plans, and lessons learnt exercises;

2. Government, development, and humanitarian stakeholders have access to improved forecasting information, risk modelling and district risk profile to support planning and decision-making – through capacity development of duty bearers and technical research/modelling;

3. Landslide and flash flood risk is reduced in most-vulnerable communities – through awareness raising, community-based risk reduction and training of existing volunteer for new hazards;

4. The Rohingya humanitarian response system and actors' disaster risk management and preparedness efforts are informed by localized, gender-sensitive technical advice and coordinated with the Government of Bangladesh - through facilitation of planning and lessons learnt exercises, provision of technical advice, and liaison support with GoB counterparts;

5. Government duty-bearers, key-humanitarian stakeholders and first response agencies are better prepared to manage residual risk- through training on aspects of disaster risk management relevant to their function.

6. The COVID-19 emergency response and recovery assistances to the vulnerable communities and local government institutions in Cox’s Bazar District

Duties and Responsibilities

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of this assignment is to provide technical DRR advisory and coordination supports to key stakeholders, co-chairing the Natural Hazard Working Group (NatHaz WG), monitor and disseminate weather forecasting and early warning, and facilitate the knowledge exchange and sharing of disaster risk management in Cox’s Bazar project.

Summary of key functions:

• Provide contextualized disaster risk reduction and disaster management technical advisory and coordination supports to the ISCG, the HoSOG, the Government, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Task Force, Natural Hazard Task Force, and other humanitarian stakeholders
• Co-chairing of the Natural Hazards Risk Analysis Working Group of the ISCG and related coordination activities;
• Facilitate knowledge exchange among humanitarian and national agencies on hazards and risk in Cox’s Bazar through information sharing and quarterly lessons learnt seminars/workshops

(c)          DETAILED SCOPE OF WORK:

Under the direction of the UNDP Cox’s Bazar Head of Sub-Office and the supervision of the Project Manager – DRR and in in close collaboration with DRM team, the NC - DRR Coordination Specialist plays has the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Providing contextualized Disaster Risk Reduction advisory and coordination support to the ISCG, the HoSOG, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Working, the ISCG secretariat, key agencies and other humanitarian stakeholders;

• Create synergies between relevant stakeholders involved in DRM efforts, while promoting national ownership of coordination processes through increased participation of national and local stakeholders;
• Support mainstreaming of Disaster Risk Reduction, resilient recovery and Build Back Better approaches in the Inter-Sector Coordination mechanisms and related response preparedness plans.
• Monitor and support the monsoon forecast and early warning information developed by RIMES and BMD; and coordinate and disseminate the forecasting and early warning with relevant stakeholders

• Foster and enhance collaboration with relevant Government bodies by working closely with Government counterparts and national and local partners;
• Actively participate at relevant humanitarian sector meetings as required

1. Co-chairing of the Natural Hazards Risk Analysis Working Group of the ISCG and related coordination activities;

• Organize, manage and (co-)chair regular meetings in line with the objectives of the NatHaz working group;
• Document meetings minutes and track follow-up on agreed action points;
• Contribute to drafting and updating information products produced by the task force, including summary reports and briefing notes;
• Facilitate synergies between lead stakeholders involved in natural hazards mapping and risk analysis efforts, while promoting national ownership of coordination processes through increased participation of national and local stakeholders;
• Coordinate and liaise with ISCG Secretariat about taskforce activities;

1. Facilitate knowledge exchange among humanitarian and national agencies on hazards and risk in Cox’s Bazar through information sharing and quarterly lessons learnt seminars/workshops

• Establish and develop networking with key institutional stakeholders at national level engaged in natural hazards and risk analyses;
• Foster information exchange, collaboration and harmonization of practices and protocols between humanitarian and national stakeholders;
• Contribute to the planning, programming and organization of COVID-19 and post monsoon lessons learnt seminars/workshops and foster opportunities for information exchange;

(d)          DELIVERABLES:

1. Provide contextualized disaster risk reduction and disaster management technical advisory and coordination supports to the ISCG, the HoSOG, the Government, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Task Force, Natural Hazard Task Force, and other humanitarian stakeholders
2. Actively participate at relevant humanitarian sector meetings as required
3. Co-chairing of the Natural Hazards Risk Analysis Working Group of the ISCG and related coordination activities
4. Contribute to drafting and updating information products produced by the NatHaz WG, including summary reports and briefing notes;
5. Organize two stakeholder lessons learnt workshops/seminars on COVID-19 and post monsoon (one in end of September 2020 and another in December 2020)
6.  Foster information exchange, collaboration and harmonization of DRR practices and protocols between humanitarian and national stakeholders;

(e) SUPERVISION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:

The consultant will report to the Project Manager - DRR, UNDP Cox’s Bazar. He/she will also closely coordinate tasks with DRM team, Sub-Office and Country Office, as necessary.

(f) TIMEFRAME AND DEADLINES:

Delivery/Outputs	Estimated Duration to complete	Payment
Provide contextualized disaster risk reduction and disaster management technical advisory and coordination supports to the ISCG, the HoSOG, the Government, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Task Force, Natural Hazard Task Force, and other humanitarian stakeholders Actively participate at relevant humanitarian sector meetings as required Monitor and support the monsoon forecast and early warning information developed by RIMES and BMD; and coordinate and disseminate the forecasting and early warning with relevant stakeholders Co-chairing of the Natural Hazards Risk Analysis Working Group of the ISCG and related coordination activities Contribute to drafting and updating information products produced by the NatHaz WG, including summary reports and briefing notes; Organize two stakeholder lessons learnt workshops on COVID-19 and post monsoon (one in end of September 2020 and another in December 2020) and prepare the stakeholder lessons learnt report  Foster information exchange, collaboration and harmonization of DRR practices and protocols between humanitarian and national stakeholders;	30 September 2020	25% payment upon submission and acceptance of the report and time sheet
Provide contextualized disaster risk reduction and disaster management technical advisory and coordination supports to the ISCG, the HoSOG, the Government, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Task Force, Natural Hazard Task Force, and other humanitarian stakeholders Actively participate at relevant humanitarian sector meetings as required Monitor and support the monsoon forecast and early warning information developed by RIMES and BMD; and coordinate and disseminate the forecasting and early warning with relevant stakeholders Co-chairing of the Natural Hazards Risk Analysis Working Group of the ISCG and related coordination activities Contribute to drafting and updating information products produced by the NatHaz WG, including summary reports and briefing notes; Foster information exchange, collaboration and harmonization of DRR practices and protocols between humanitarian and national stakeholders;	30 October 2020	25% payment upon submission and acceptance of the report and time sheet
Provide contextualized disaster risk reduction and disaster management technical advisory and coordination supports to the ISCG, the HoSOG, the Government, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Task Force, Natural Hazard Task Force, and other humanitarian stakeholders Actively participate at relevant humanitarian sector meetings as required Monitor and support the monsoon forecast and early warning information developed by RIMES and BMD; and coordinate and disseminate the forecasting and early warning with relevant stakeholders Co-chairing of the Natural Hazards Risk Analysis Working Group of the ISCG and related coordination activities Contribute to drafting and updating information products produced by the NatHaz WG, including summary reports and briefing notes; Foster information exchange, collaboration and harmonization of DRR practices and protocols between humanitarian and national stakeholders;	30 November 2020	25% payment upon submission and acceptance of the report and time sheet
Provide contextualized disaster risk reduction and disaster management technical advisory and coordination supports to the ISCG, the HoSOG, the Government, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Task Force, Natural Hazard Task Force, and other humanitarian stakeholders Actively participate at relevant humanitarian sector meetings as required Monitor and support the monsoon forecast and early warning information developed by RIMES and BMD; and coordinate and disseminate the forecasting and early warning with relevant stakeholders Co-chairing of the Natural Hazards Risk Analysis Working Group of the ISCG and related coordination activities Contribute to drafting and updating information products produced by the NatHaz WG, including summary reports and briefing notes; Organize two stakeholder lessons learnt workshops on COVID-19 and post monsoon (one in end of September 2020 and another in December 2020) and prepare the stakeholder lessons learnt report Foster information exchange, collaboration and harmonization of DRR practices and protocols between humanitarian and national stakeholders;	30 December 2020	25% payment upon submission and acceptance of the report and time sheet

1. DOCUMENTS:

The Consultant will prepare and submit the above-mentioned documents during the assignment period.

1. INPUTS:

The Consultant will use his/her own personal equipment/laptop. UNDP will provide a UNDP e-mail address and UN ID card. UNDP will provide office space.

1. Travel and DSA:

No DSA will be paid at the duty station. As such, DSA will only be provided for travel outside Cox’s Bazar district.

Competencies

Competencies :

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards (human rights, peace);
• Understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, and impartiality;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

Required Skills and Experience

1. QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Skills and Experience:

Essential:

• At least Master’s degree in disaster management, humanitarian action, development studies, environmental science or other relevant subjects
• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in disaster risk reduction, risk assessment, risk mapping and profiling, weather forecasting, and humanitarian sector.
• Minimum 2 year of experience in a technical advisory/specialist/coordinator role focusing on natural hazards, disaster risk reduction, risk assessment and mapping, and emergency preparedness
• Minimum 4 years of relevant work experience with UN agencies/INGOs

Preferred but not Essential:

• Prior experience in leading/coordinating a coordination body/working group would be a strong advantage;
• Work experience in and in-depth knowledge of the refugee crisis contexts and response would be a strong advantage
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and work well with diverse people: race, nationality, age and gender sensitivity.

Language:

• Strong written and spoken English; knowledge of local language is an asset.

Duty Station:

• The duty station for this post is Cox’s Bazar District.

1. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Lump sum contracts

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

1. EVALUATION

Individual Consultant will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual Consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

1. responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight; 70%

* Financial Criteria weight; 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% point in technical criteria would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Criteria	Weight	Max. Point
Technical	70%	70
Minimum Master’s degree in disaster management, humanitarian action, development studies, environmental science or other relevant subjects	20%	20
Number of years of relevant work experience in disaster risk reduction, risk assessment, risk mapping and profiling, weather forecasting, and humanitarian sector [Need to be submitted the evidence of assignment]	20%	20
Number of years of experience in a technical advisory/specialist/coordinator role focusing on natural hazards, disaster risk reduction, risk assessment and mapping, and emergency preparedness [Need to be submitted the evidence of assignment]	20%	20
Experience working with UN agencies and international organizations [Need to be submitted the evidence]	10%	10
Financial	30%	30

The consultant will submit all deliverables in softcopy via googledrive/ sharepoint to Project Manager – DRM with maintaining full confidentiality.

Financial Evaluation: (Total obtainable score – 30)

All technically qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below. The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals receive points according to the following formula:

p = y (µ/z)                                                               

Where:

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluatedy = maximum number of points for the financial proposalµ = price of the lowest priced proposalz = price of the proposal being evaluated

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
2. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
3. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate this  at this point and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.