Consultancy: International Disaster Risk Management Specialist and Team Leader

Objective and Purpose of the Assignment

The Pacific Disaster Resilience Program will improve the resilience (including financial preparedness) of the Pacific Region to disasters triggered by natural hazards. The Program will support (i) regional collaboration on disaster risk financing, and (ii) priority long-term DRM activities in participating countries and at a regional level to strengthen the resilience of institutions and communities.. The attached technical assistance (TA) will support the further strengthening of effective disaster risk management (DRM) in the participating DMCs, and the assessment of options for, and potential costs of and benefits from, a collaborative multi-country mechanism to provide contingent financing in the event of disasters triggered by natural hazards.ADB is looking for an international disaster risk management (DRM) specialist and team leader to coordinate and implement the TA activities.

Scope of Work

The DRM specialist and team leader will be responsible for identifying the DRM priorities, preparing and supporting the TA activities in the participating countries, and coordinating overall TA implementation.

Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output

The DRM specialist will lead the following activities:

1. coordinate overall TA implementation, including coordination of inputs by other consultants;
2. consult with Pacific Department (PARD) project officers and participating developing member country (DMC) representatives and partner organizations on the DMCs’ DRM and climate change adaptation needs and priorities;
3. identify specific activities and opportunities to strengthen DRM and enhance disaster resilience in participating countries, as well as associated co-benefits, including gender, in accordance with national development plans and the regional Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP);
4. support assessment of options for regional contingent financing mechanisms, including facilitation of a discussion in each participating DMC and with ADB staff;
5. assess the regional and country specific political economy of disasters, including the role of the different development partners (bilateral, non-governmental, civil society) and regional organizations in disaster risk reduction, preparedness, disaster relief, early recovery and reconstruction, and identify opportunities to enhance regional coordination and incentivize investments in climate and disaster resilience, while mainstreaming gender considerations;
6. develop recommendations on and help mobilize the needed support from DRM, DRF and sector experts to strengthen DRM in participating countries;
7. contribute to capacity development and knowledge sharing events organized under the TA;
8. Provide guidance to strengthen DRM governance, institutional arrangements, and investment planning processes at the sector-level;
9. define baselines, targets and timelines for implementation; and monitor and evaluate progress; and 
10. prepare and submit reports and carry out any other relevant tasks, as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

The consultant will have at least a master’s degree related to climate and disaster risk management, and 10 years of relevant experience. The expert must have sound experience in implementing similar projects in developing countries, preferably in the Pacific, and strong writing and communication skills. The consultant should have previous experience in working through multilateral development bank processes.

Contract Type: Intermittent - 132 days for 12 months

Cost Estimate (Remuneration including Out-of-Pocket Expenses for Mission Travels: US$175,000