Consultancy: risk assessment & formulation of disaster risk reduction strategies for the flood affected areas of Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan

Purpose

Concern, as the lead agency for DRR within the alliance will hire a consultant/firm to undertake a study in Sindh and Punjab provinces to assist stakeholders in integrating appropriate DRR measures (preparedness, mitigation and prevention) and strategies in the on-going and future programmes. The study will come up with a DRR framework for operational guidance and identify priorities for action (operational scope) that will be shared more broadly with other stakeholders (including government agencies – NDMA, PDMAs & other departments, UN/NGOs & donors). The findings of the study will serve as an advocacy tool and the study report will be widely publicised and disseminated. The study is expected to support national and provincial decision makers in taking appropriate decisions for better preparedness and risk reduction. The findings of the study will assist flood affected populations to cope with and increase their resilience to withstand future disasters through adapting prevention, mitigation and preparedness measures which address present and future risks, with a special focus on the poorest communities.

Specific Objectives

• To identify the hazards, vulnerabilities and capacities of the communities in the target districts within Sindh and Punjab provinces including the assessment of exposure of people, infrastructure and livelihoods.
• To suggest context specific and efficient disaster risk reduction strategies to influence the on-going relief/recovery and future rehabilitation/reconstruction programmes.
• To identify and suggest DRR related advocacy priorities for influencing policies and institutions at the local and national level.

Outputs

• Submit a detailed work plan including a list of the institutions to be consulted
• Complete the review of existing DRR related local/national legal frameworks and plans through a consultative process with the relevant stakeholders and desk reviews, as appropriate
• Complete hazard, vulnerability and capacity assessment in the target areas of Sindh & Punjab
• Develop guidelines for integrating disaster risk reduction into relief/recovery/reconstruction plans for the target areas based upon vulnerability analysis
• Highlight DRR related short and long term advocacy priorities
• Conduct a workshop to share/discuss the study findings with Alliance partners
• Organise one national and two provincial workshops to share the findings and recommendations of the study with the stakeholders
• Share the draft report with Concern for feedback - submit the final report in hard & soft form

Qualifications & Experience

• Preferably an advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in disaster management, engineering, geography and economics
• Minimum 10 years' experience in the design, execution and/or management of multi-hazard risk and vulnerability assessments
• Experience on climate change, development planning or disaster risk reduction issues, particularly on mainstreaming efforts will be an advantage.
• Experience in conducting research
• Ability to deal sensitively in a multicultural environment and function effectively in diverse and multi-disciplinary teams;
• Ability to integrate different experiences, methodologies, and approaches;
• Ability to develop partnerships with a range of stakeholders in the field of disaster risk management and multi hazard risk and vulnerability assessment including the government, other UN agencies, NGOs and civil society
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills