Senior Emergency Preparedness Expert (Short Term Consultancy)

Terms of Reference - Senior Emergency Preparedness Expert (STC)

Urban and DRM Unit (GSURR) – World Bank Europe & Central Asia Region

Background

The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region is prone to a wide range of adverse natural events, such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, droughts, strong winds, and storms. Vulnerability to disasters increased as urbanization and development led to the occupation of areas exposed to natural hazards, and is further exacerbated by climate change.

The ECA region has been promoting a proactive and strategic approach to managing disaster risk. The underlying thrust has been that both loss of life and the economic impact of disasters can be reduced by advanced planning and investments. In order to pursue this goal, the Global Practice for Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience of the World Bank has been engaging with and supporting clients in key areas of the disaster risk management (DRM) framework, concentrating on the following elements: (i) disaster risk assessments at the regional and country level by analyzing the vulnerability and potential effects and impact of disasters; (ii) enhancing client capabilities in monitoring and forecasting of natural hazards by supporting modernization of hydro-meteorological services and creating effective operational links with emergency management authorities; (iii) mitigating risk through investments in flood risk protection, seismic risk retrofitting or reconstruction, improvements in building codes, and land-use planning incorporating the knowledge of disaster-prone zones; (iv) enhancing disaster preparedness through support to emergency response functions, emergency management coordination, emergency communication and information systems, and raising public awareness; (v) catastrophe risk financing through introduction of innovative risk transfer tools, such catastrophe risk insurance; (vi) supporting resilient recovery, that is, recovery and reconstruction efforts that follow the principle of “build back better” rather than recreating the original risk.

Global Practice for Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience of the World Bank assists our clients through lending (including sector investment loans), implementation support (supervision), and advisory, knowledge, technical assistance, and fee based services.

Assignment Description

To work as the Senior Emergency Preparedness Expert at the World Bank to assist the Task Team Leaders of ECA DRM team through:

• Understanding and providing rapid analysis of emergencies from natural events in ECA region;
• Providing technical guidance and inputs for emergency preparedness, including but not limited to: establishing and/or improving crisis management systems, centers and operations; strengthening search and rescue capacities; improving collection, analysis and dissemination of data for better decision-making for emergencies; and legal and institutional framework for improved emergency response.
• Explaining the value and importance of emergency preparedness to government clients under the supervision of Task Team Leaders;
• Developing terms of references for various activities on emergency preparedness in consultation with government clients under the supervision of Task Team Leaders within World Bank lending operations and technical assistance programs;
• Providing technical guidance and support for supervision of the implementation of activities related to emergency preparedness under World Bank lending operations and technical assistance programs;
• Reviewing technical reports of the outcomes of implementation of activities related to emergency preparedness to verify if they are technically sound under World Bank lending operations and technical assistance programs;
• Preparing reports, presentations, brochures, guidance notes, etc. related to emergency preparedness, centers and operations for meetings, seminars, forums etc.; and,
• Any other relevant tasks requested by the Task Team Leaders.

This support could be provided remotely or as part of a mission.

Consultant Qualifications and Competencies

The consultant should have:

• Master’s degree in emergency management, ICT, or other related discipline;
• At least 8 years of professional experience or equivalent combination of education and professional experience on emergency preparedness;
• Demonstrated familiarity and work experience on emergency preparedness;
• Strong organizational, research, and oral presentation skills;
• Ability to develop and deliver multiple tasks against strict deadlines and work independently; and,
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentational skills in English. Fluency in Russian is an advantage.

Assignment Details

Starting date: ASAP

Assignment duration: until June 30, 2018 (with possibility for multiple year engagement)

Number of days: Minimum 30 days until June 2018. For following years, 90 to 120 days per fiscal year, depending on expertise of candidate and business portfolio.