Disaster management specialist

Background

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), established in 1986, is a non-profit, autonomous, regional organization, international in status and non-political in management, staffing, and operations. ADPC has been created for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes that work to build the resilience of people and institutions to disasters and climate change impacts in Asia and the Pacific region.

ADPC has more than 34 years of working experience in Asia along with the national and local Governments of its founding charter member countries as well as countries of the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) on Disaster Management. ADPC works to strengthen disaster risk reduction at all levels, from regional to national, sub-national, and even to community levels. ADPC aims at supporting governments, strengthening institutions, and building capacity for mainstreaming DRR into development processes. It includes developing institutional systems, assessing disaster risks, undertaking programs for disaster risk reduction and adapting to climate change, etc. Further details on ADPC and its programs can be found at www.adpc.net.

ADPC is currently implementing two programs, namely “Program for Strengthening Preparedness for Emergency Response and Recovery in India (PROSPER-India): and “COVID-19: PROSPER-India Program Support to Bihar Government (INCOV)” in Bihar, India with financial support from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

PROSPER-India is a three-year program focusing on providing technical support to the Government of Bihar in the implementation of DRR activities identified in the Bihar DRR Roadmap (2015-2030). The India COVID-19 Grant is being implemented from June 2020 – March 2021 to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response functions of the Government of Bihar (GoB) for COVID-19. These efforts are primarily targeted at the Disaster Management Department (DMD) and Department of Health (DoH) of Government of Bihar to strengthen Emergency Operations Centers for Response, Risk Communication, and Awareness-raising, and enhanced Knowledge Management for COVID preparedness. 

Statement of Intent

ADPC is looking to recruit a qualified consultant for the position of Disaster Management Specialist to be based in Patna, Bihar State of India. The selected consultant will join a dynamic team of ADPC professionals based in India, while working closely with the ADPC Headquarters experts in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Disaster Management Specialist will be responsible for leading the implementation of priority activities under the disaster management component of the programs. The activities include the development of tools for implementation of Government guidelines by various stakeholders and support the process of strengthening End-to-end Early Warning System (EWS) in Bihar for various priority hazards through multiple channels. 

This consultant position is open for Indian Nationals only. The position is based in Patna, Bihar State of India. 

Qualifications and Experience

• A Master Degree in Disaster Management, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, and Natural Resource Management, or any other related fields is essential. A Ph.D. in a related field would be an added advantage.
• At least ten years of proven experience in disaster management program implementation, coordination, planning, and capacity building.
• Proven experience in disaster preparedness and emergency response management such as mainstreaming disaster risk management into the sectoral planning process, end-to-end early warning system development, emergency operation center management, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) development, etc
• Proven ability to develop quality reports, manuals, guidelines, case studies, training modules, and deliver training.
• Familiarity and at least five years of experience working with the National and State Governments in the field of Disaster Management. 
• Previous experience in working with Humanitarian NGOs or international organizations in similar programs.
• Knowledge of working ethics of National or State Government agencies, International NGOs, National NGOs, the private sector, and International Organizations would prove to be an added advantage.

Personal Qualities

• Self-motivated, pro-active and takes initiatives;
• Demonstrated ability to plan, and organize work & time independently and proactively;
• Verbal and written communication skills in English and Hindi are essential;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience in working in a multi-cultural environment;
• Strong networking capacity and understanding of development work at national and regional levels;
• Strong desire and enthusiasm to learn, undertake new challenges including working during COVID-19 outbreak, must be a creative problem-solver, and must have self-confidence;
• Committed to timely delivery of outputs and willing to work hard, good sense of humor but with seriousness about the quality and excellence of work.

Purpose of the assignment

The primary purpose of the assignment is to lead the technical implementation under the disaster management component of the PROSPER-India and India COVID-19 grant in Bihar, India.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and implement program activities with partners from the Government, the private sector, and other stakeholder agencies in Bihar;
• Work with the Disaster Management Department to review and update Standard Operating Procedures for COVID-19 response;
• Support the process for strengthening End-to-end EWS in Bihar state through multi-channels;
• Lead the development of technical tools, case studies, and documentation according to the local context;
• Coordinate regularly with program manager/s and other ADPC staff for implementing the project activities;
• Develop regular progress reports and capture evidence-based good practices and case studies to highlight the project impacts on the ground;
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director, Preparedness for Response and Recovery Department, and or assigned Program Manager/s.

Key deliverables

• All-hazard SOPs for COVID-19 context
• Compendium of COVID-19 related GoB guidelines and technical tools designed for mass awareness and orientation of various stakeholders for COVID-19/outbreak of other diseases. 
• Design of solutions and protocols for strengthening multi-hazard End-to-end Early Warning System in the state linked through various dissemination channels
• Process documents on All-hazard SOPs for COVID-19 response, Compendium of COVID-19, strengthening multi-hazard End-to-end Early Warning System in the state linked through various dissemination channels
• DPRs of 3 preparedness/ risk reduction initiatives by DRR cells of priority departments 
• Progress reports 

Reporting Relationship

In performing the duties and responsibilities indicated above, the consultant will be supervised by the assigned Program Manager, under the overall guidance of the Director, Preparedness for Response and Recovery (PRR) Department of ADPC.

The consultant will closely work with other Project/Program Managers, and Project Coordinators of the PRR Department.

Contract Duration: September 2020 – February 2021 (6 months)