Disaster information and early warning system engineer/consultant

Background:

The READI (Resilient Environment through Active DRR Initiatives) program addresses the needs of the most populated coastal communities of Sumatra (Bengkulu, Padang, Meulaboh, Nias and Mentawai) and views resilience as the capacity of households, communities and institutions to reduce the likelihood and mitigate the impact of natural hazards, as well as their capacity to take swift action should a disaster occur. The objective of this project is to implement interventions that contributes to saving lives, alleviating suffering, and reducing the economic impact of future disasters by building local capacity for disaster management, increasing risk and mitigation awareness, and improving early warning systems.

Purpose/project description:

The purpose of the consultation is to solidify the linking mechanism between government officials and populations to provide useful real-time information during an emergency. Mercy Corps intends to collaborate with existing commercial and governmental radio stations to expand their services to include emergency preparedness and warnings in the event of disaster. Mercy Corps will focus on the creation of preparedness messages and the establishment of communication protocols to be adopted during emergencies to enable government agencies to directly reach populations with real-time information. Ultimately, the connection between BPBD (Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah – District Disaster Management Agency) and existing radio channels should be automatized and accessible without relying on phone networks or other means of communication that may not be fully functional during an emergency. Pre-determined VHF channels will link adhering radio networks with satellite connections, landlines, internet and other linkages that will be investigated to provide backup and the highest degree of automation without losing reliability and ease of maintenance. Finally, Mercy Corps recognizes this as an opportunity to engage both private and public sectors in the creation of a functional and easily maintained system and will strive to involve the upward possible number of partner radios (community, public, and private networks).

Consultant objectives:

To provide technical recommendations and program strategy to develop AM/FM radio emergency system and emergency mast construction with the primary objective of connecting BPBD’s early warning systems with the community’s preparedness to take swift action during an emergency.

Consultant Activities:

• Site visits to Bengkulu, Padang, Meulaboh, Nias and Mentawai cities.
• Meetings with relevant stakeholders in the target districts such as BPBD, ORARI-Organisasi Radio Amatir Republik Indonesia/Indonesian Amateur Radio Organization, PRSSNI-Persatuan Radio Siaran Swasta Nasional Indonesia/Indonesian Private Broadcast Radio Association, local NGOs-Non Govermental Organizations, and telecommunication provider(s).
• Assessing the existing early warning systems and disaster risk reduction related infrastructure (hard and soft).

Consultant deliverables:

The Consultant will produce a report (in English) that will include the detailed technical assessment, scope of project with deliverables in Bengkulu, Padang, Meulaboh, Nias and Mentawai Islands, but not limited to:

• Assess condition and location of the existing AM/FM Radio Community.
• Assess condition and location of the existing Emergency Mast.
• Identify suitable locations to develop AM/FM Radio Community.
• Identify suitable locations to construct Emergency Mast.
• Provide engineering design and graphic model(s) to erect Emergency Mast.
• Bill of Quantity for the construction of Emergency Mast(s).
• Budget (including equipments) for the installation of AM/FM Radio Community.
• Recommendations for the Plan of Action.

Knowledge and experience:

The Consultant should possess:

1. A university degree in engineering or closely related field.
2. Five years of work experience in consulting, designing and installing disaster-related hardware.
3. Experience working with disaster risk reduction, early warning systems and emergency preparedness projects.
4. Strong command of both spoken and written English for producing a quality technical report.
5. Effective time management and organization skills including priority setting and responding to program needs.
6. Sound interpersonal skills.
7. Knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia is a plus.