Consultant, Business Continuity and the Red Cross Network

Background

The Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) looks to offer a scalable and adaptable suite of business continuity tools and services, developed in partnership with committed stakeholders and subject matter experts, for use globally by Red Cross and Red Crescent (RC/RC) National Societies (NS).

• The primary aim is to build the disaster resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises.
• The secondary aim is to better position NS among business communities to facilitate multi-faceted investment toward safer communities.

In order to achieve these aims, the GDPC will build on work done by the American Red Cross as part of its Ready Rating self- guided assessment tool, which provides a benchmark for indicating disaster readiness within the United States. Globally, the ambition is to develop a recognizable Red Cross branded certification tool, similar to Energy Star, Good Housekeeping, Five-Star Safety or LEED.

The GDPC is working closely with a number of different stakeholders from academia, the private sector and the Red Cross and Red Crescent network as part of a multi-stakeholder group to develop this initiative. This group has been convened to ensure the development of key elements of the initiative are technically sound, meet applicable standards, respond to needs of different stakeholders and are relevant in different contexts.

During the proposed consultancy, this advisory group will play a role in reviewing and vetting the materials developed. Participation will inform viable opportunities for NS to support resilience building with the private sector as well as NS who are willing to pilot the proof of concept that will be generated by this collaboration, to meet the needs of different NS and business communities.

Consultancy

The GDPC seeks consultancy services to contribute to the overall design and implementation of the business continuity initiative. This role will be focused on providing direct input into the development and prototyping of tools and services.

The consultant(s) will support the project for an initial three month period with the possibility of extension based results and ongoing needs as outlined in an operational plan. Engagement on this project will include a combination of desk work including research, virtual meetings as well as in person collaboration. This role will support the review and refining of concepts and ideas put forward by working groups facilitate by the GDPC and IFRC.

Specific outputs will include:

1. Inception report to better define the following deliverables
2. Drafting and revision of the business continuity assessment to be used in the pilot
3. Design of pilot guidance and materials for national societies
4. Piloting of the business continuity assessment in selected countries
5. Review of findings from pilot activities, including possible improvements/revision to pilot tools
6. Development of Strategic Plan and Operational Model

Requirements/Skills and experience sought:

• The GDPC seeks expertise and knowledge of business continuity and risk management particularly as it relates to small and medium size enterprises.
• The qualified consultant will have demonstrated interest in developing community resilience and a willingness to support the development of a suite of tools and services to support national society engagement in the area of business continuity with the local business community.
• Experience with different markets and cultures will be important.
• As this work will likely interact with representatives from different lines of business and potentially competitors, a standard non-disclosure agreement may be required.

All activities related to this project will be subject to the principles and values of the Red Cross /Red Crescent movement.