Consultancy for the Implementation of Impact-based Forecast and Warning Services (IBFWS) Pilot Project in the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS)

Background

Impact-based forecast and warning services (IBFWS) allow for information on the likely impacts of forecasted severe weather to be communicated.  This approach to warning has proven to be very effective and its adoption by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) has steadily increased. After the successful hosting of the Solomon Islands Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Canada Sub-Project Workshop on Impact-based Forecast and Warning Services (IBFWS), in October 2020, there is now a need to support the implementation of an IBFWS pilot project in the country, to  consolidate IBFWS in the Solomon Islands, through an IBFWS pilot project. It is hoped that this action will also serve as a good example and accelerate the adoption of IBFWS in the wider Pacific Region (RA V).

More specifically it will be important to provide training in IBFWS, promote strategic partnerships between SIMS and key stakeholders, implement mechanisms for impacts data collection and use in IBFWS, and assist with activities for public awareness and education.

The IBFWS pilot project in the Solomon Islands is funded through the CREWS project and WMO is seeking the services of a consultant to facilitate the development and implementation of the project, in compliance with WMO guidelines.

Scope of Work

The Consultant will be engaged for a period of sixty-five (65) non-consecutive days to develop and implement the IBFWS Pilot Project, covering an area and for a hazard or hazards to be agreed upon with SIMS.  The key objective of this consultancy is to facilitate the articulation and development of an IBFWS framework based on the collective knowledge and experience of the forecasters at SIMS, the staff of the National Disaster Management Office and other personnel of key stakeholder organizations, and to help put in place a functional IBFWS project.  More specifically the Consultant will:

Prepare an Inception Report

Attend an inception meeting with key personnel at the WMO Secretariat and SIMS on the Terms of Reference to confirm the scope of the work. This will be followed by a period of deeper consultations with SIMS to prepare for the inception of the project.

Prepare and submit for approval, an Inception Report detailing the approach to be used in the execution of the Consultancy. The report should demonstrate an understanding of the required work and should include

• An outline of the IBFWS Framework
• An Implementation Plan of IBFWS at SIMS, which should be compliant with WMO guidelines, and comprise inter alia the proposed method and resources to be utilized. The approach for capturing the lessons learnt and sustaining the results of the plan should also be highlighted.
• A Work Plan for the consultant

Provide on-site assistance to SIMS for a period of 3 months to:

1. Facilitate a follow-up workshop on IBFWS providing refresher training on IBFWS, including the basic knowledge of IBFWS,
2. Carry out the groundwork of identifying the best location to base the pilot project and the hazard(s) to be covered,
3. Conduct meetings, table-top simulation exercises and working sessions between SIMS and stakeholders for the development of impact, hazard and response matrix tables which are primary to an IBFWS system,
4. Help develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and any other instruments as necessary (e.g. MOUs) to enable a successful collaborative partnership between SIMS and stakeholders
5. Put in place an end-to-end IBFWS framework and conduct test warning exercises between SIMS and Disaster Management (and other stakeholders), with a view to bringing it to an operational IBFWS framework

Plan for public awareness and education activities

Outputs/Deliverables

An Inception Report describing the intended IBFWS pilot project, the IBFWS Framework outline and the Implementation Plan for SIMS and the consultant’s work plan, as stated in sub-section 2.1.

The Workshop training materials and a report summarizing the outcomes of the Workshop.

Final pilot project report including:

1. The IBFWS Framework for SIMS and its status of implementation, including records of test warnings conducted in project
2.  The outcome of review on impacts recording practices for future development of an impacts database
3. Lessons learnt and recommendations for sustaining and scaling up the project in other parts of RA V

Duration

The Consultant shall be engaged for a period of sixty-six (66) days commencing 1 July 2022 and ending 30 September 2022 and will be based in Honiara, Solomon Islands, to enable on-site support in the project implementation process.  The total value of the consultancy is USD28,644.00.  WMO will make the travel arrangements in compliance with WMO rules. A lumpsum to cover meals and accommodation for the first 7 days will be provided.

Payments will be based on the submission of deliverables as follows:

• Lumpsum for meals and accommodation for 7 days, at the signature of the contract (TBD)
• First payment deliverable: “Inception Report”: USD 9,548
• Second payment deliverable: “Workshop Report and materials”: USD 9,548
• Third and final payment deliverable: “Final Pilot Project Report” USD 9,548

Expert Profile

The Consultant should possess the following:

1. At least three (3) years’ experience in implementing pilot projects in IBFWS
2. At least five (5) years’ demonstrated experience in conducting workshops, developing frameworks and implementation plans.
3. Qualification and/or demonstrated experience in meteorology, disaster risk reduction, IBFWS or a related field.
4. Strong communication, presentation and reporting skills.

Application for consideration

Experts willing to be considered for this task may write an application and send their CV to Ms Adanna Robertson-Quimby (ARobertson@wmo.int) with a copy to Mr S Muchemi (SMuchemi@wmo.int) before 22 April 2022.