Consultant - disaster preparedness

Background

The need of a contingency plan WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) that will be used both by DINEPA (Direction Nationale de l’Eau potable et Assainissement) and DPC (Direction de la Protection Civile) has been identified due to the fact that meteorological events such as floods and hurricanes occur periodically in the country and no specific preparation in WASH contingency planning and emergency preparedness exist. For the first time in the history of the country, the endimicity of cholera has to be taken into account in current and future interventions.

The UCCW (Unité de Coordination du Cluster WASH) has been working in the elaboration of a contingency plan; however, a general lack of knowledge in Contingency Planning has been identified amongst partners. Special interest in the process has been expressed by the Co-leader of the Wash Cluster, UNICEF’s national counterpart DINEPA. The objective of the workshop is both: to produce the Wash Contingency Plans and to capacitate stakeholders in the process of contingency planning and emergency preparedness.

The workshop will be conducted according to the IASC (Inter Agencies Standing Comity) guidelines and methodology in contingency planning. The focus and outputs of the workshop will be adapted to the needs of the DINEPA and DPC having into account that the product of the workshop will be a risk reduction management tool that will be a key element for the DRU (Département de Réponse aux Urgences) of the DINEPA and a product of the strategy of transition of the UCCW

Duties and responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• To design, develop and facilitate a workshop for disaster preparedness and contingency planning;
• To provide technical assistance to the DPC and DINEPA to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response practices at the national and/or departmental level.
• To provide technical assistance for improving risk identification amongst all partners.
• To facilitate a process steering the group of stakeholders before and during the workshop
• To advise the UCCW on the process of the workshop
• To take in charge all the previous data collection for the production of the final document.
• To review and support the preparation of the WASH contingency plan and to ensure that meets quality Standards and conforms to IASC and Wash Cluster guidelines
• To co-ordinate with the UCCW and implementing partners any relevant action and measures

The expected output

The output is a final workshop report that includes the Wash Contingency Plan that will be the emergency response tool of the newly created DRU (Département de Réponse aux Urgences) of the DINEPA.

UCCW’s responsibilities

The UCCW will provide the consultant with:

• All relevant programme strategy related information.
• Liaison and assistance in communicating with stakeholders. The consultant will be required to liaise closely with the national department of DINEPA, the DPC and National and International NGOs working in the field of WASH as well as other UN agencies, donors, etc.

Skills and competence

• Significant experience with contingency planning processes and other emergency preparedness measures.
• Masters or similar degree in a disaster risk management-related discipline. Preferably, the facilitator will be familiar with the Cluster Approach and the IASC guidelines of contingency planning.
• Ability to analyse complex emergency scenarios and to apply concepts of preparedness, humanitarian response, rehabilitation and transitional programming.
• Ability to facilitate the coordination with diverse agencies, including government and non-government organizations/agencies.
• Strong facilitation skills and experience.
• Working knowledge of computers is essential.
• Good written and spoken skills in French. English language skills an asset.