Consultant: Resilience Handbook Development and Training

Malteser International in Myanmar is seeking consultancy proposals to synthesise several handbooks in one practical handbook on “Building Resilience of Rural Communities in Myanmar” for its German government-funded project “Strengthening of DRR capacity and community-based management of the mangrove forest ecosystem for adaptation to climate change in high-risk areas of Rakhine State, Myanmar”. Based on the developed handbook, the consultant(s) shall provide one training for members of local organizations and local authorities involved in disaster risk management and climate change adaptation in Myanmar.

Background and Rationale

Malteser International is the relief agency of the Sovereign Order of Malta for humanitarian aid. With over 100 projects annually in some 25 countries throughout Africa, Asia and the Americas, we provide emergency relief after disasters and support recovery efforts with a focus on sustainable development. Malteser International has been operational in Myanmar since 2001 and is currently implementing Health, WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) and DRR (disaster risk reduction) programs in Rakhine, Shan and Kayin States.

The objective of the project is to develop a community-based, replicable model to strengthen local capacities for climate change adaptation through the development of disaster preparedness plans and the introduction of early warning systems in combination with the reforestation of mangroves for improved coastal protection.

A series of different handbooks on community-based disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and inclusive DRR have been developed by Malteser International in Myanmar and shall now be combined and operationalized in one practical Handbook for field practitioners.

Purpose, Objectives and Use

The Handbook will serve both as a field guide for practitioners and local authorities responsible for disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. The Handbook will present participatory methodologies for climate-related hazard, vulnerability and capacity assessments, as well as how to develop climate change adaptation plans at the community and township level in an inclusive manner with a focus on the most vulnerable. The material will build up on existing resources on inclusive community-based disaster risk management and climate change adaptation developed by Malteser International in previous projects. It will integrate the two approaches of CBDRM and CCA and be oriented towards building community resilience and mainstreaming DRR and CCA into development planning.

Scope of Work

The consultant(s) will review available handbooks and combine them in one practical handbook with session guides for each method or module and materials for trainings. Based on the handbook, session guides and training materials, he/she will provide one training for participants from local partner organizations and local authorities responsible for disaster risk management and climate change adaptation in Sittwe, Rakhine State, Myanmar.

Malteser International will:

• Provide the draft “Training Manual on Resilience for Rural Communities in Myanmar” and previously developed handbooks on inclusive DRR and CCA
• Provide an outline of the handbook to be developed
• Regularly coordinate with the consultant(s) and provide guidance
• Organize the training, including translator/facilitator, venue and invite participants
• Provide international transport, in-country transport and accommodation

The consultant(s) will be responsible for:

• The further development and operationalization of the handbook in English and Myanmar language in close cooperation with a representative of Malteser International
• Sharing regular drafts and outlines of the materials that are being developed, at least on a bi-weekly or monthly basis
• Development of session guides for a training in English and Myanmar language
• Development of training materials in English and Myanmar language
• Provision of one training

Outputs and Deliverables

The required outputs and deliverables of the consultancy will be as follows:

• Practical handbook on “Building Resilience for Rural Communities in Myanmar” that includes session guides for each method or module in English and Myanmar language
• Training materials in English and Myanmar language
• One 3 day training for local organizations and local authorities in Sittwe, Rakhine State
• Training report in English language

The handbook, materials, training report and all background documentation will remain the property of Malteser International and will be promulgated as appropriate by Malteser International.

Expert Profile of the Consultant

For the development and operationalization of the Handbook and the facilitation of one training for DRR practitioners an independent consultant or consultant team shall be contracted. Essential qualifications:

• Proven ability to develop practical handbooks for field practitioners in DRR, CCC, development or a related field is essential
• At least 5 years of working experience in community-based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation
• Proven experience in conducting trainings for practitioners
• Excellent English skills, both written and verbal

Tentative Timetable

The consultancy shall begin in July 2015 and be completed by end of November 2015 over a period of approx. 20 working days.