National consultant for urban disaster risk reduction

Background:

CDMP II (2010-2014) is a vertical and horizontal expansion of its Phase I activities designed based on the achievements, lessons learned and the strong foundation laid during CDMP I (2004-2009) by continuing the processes initiated and deriving actions from the lessons learned. The overall goal of CDMP II is to further reduce the country's vulnerability to adverse natural and anthropogenic events through technical assistance in risk reduction and comprehensive disaster management activities. Supports are being channeled in and mainstreamed through the different forms of activities with the disaster management committees, government agencies, local authorities, civil societies and NGOs.

CDMP is pioneering the microzonation mapping and based on these it provides recommendations to the principal and major cities to develop scenario-based spatial contingency plans for response locations and routes. The Urban Development Directorate (UDD) with CDMP support uses the microzonation maps to develop the land use plan for some pilot municipalities.

In terms of mitigation, CDMP through HBRI trains and certifies 2,200 masons and bar-binders. With the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME) it conducted safety drills in more than 100 schools along with provision of Guidebooks and other IEC materials as well as drill equipment for schools.

Urban landslide, fire hazard, and water logging are also being addressed though hazard assessment and early warning pilot projects in a number of cities including community based early warning simulation mechanisms and response Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) for the community and municipal authority.

Along this line, CDMP also provided technical support to the Municipality Association of Bangladesh (MAB) in the Making Cities Resilient: 'My City is Getting Ready!' campaign that addresses the issues of local governance and urban risk. With the support and recommendation of many partners and participants, and a Mayors Statement made during the 2011 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Making Cities Resilient campaign will carry on beyond 2015. The campaign was launched in Bangladesh with the participation of 140 Municipalities in the occasion of the 2012 National Disaster Preparedness. It contains the 10 essentials to make the city resilient in natural and man-made disaster. Subsequently, an MOU was signed by CDMP and the MAB to formalize the collaborative efforts.

To this end, CDMP is engaging the short-term services of National Consultant to ensure the effectiveness, quality, and sustainability of the urban risk reduction initiatives.

Duties and responsibilities:

Objectives:

Urban risk reduction is one of the principal outcome areas of CDMP Phase II. There have been various advances accomplished since the beginning of the Programme to date. Among those major activities are the earthquake assessment, the utilisation of its findings to improve city planning in major cities, and the global campaign on Safer Cities participated by 140 Municipalities It is important that the initiatives continue to be pursued in line with the target outputs set in the Project Document. In this regard a National Consultant on Urban Risk Reduction is being recruited to perform the following tasks.

- To organize workshops on earthquake assessment involving CDMP project and the Geological Survey of Bangladesh and other experts
- To assist in the preparation of CDMP reports to the project Technical Advisory Committee based on review of the interim and, as appropriate, the final findings from the earthquake assessment project
- Based on the project findings, assist the development of CDMP recommendations for the authorities of the targeted cities through the conduct of technical deliberation and dissemination sessions involving the relevant experts
- To support the implementation of the provisions in an agreement between CDMP and Municipality Association of Bangladesh in conjunction with the Safer Cities global campaign
- To organize a series of workshops involving universities and training institutions in advancing and institutionalizing the urban risk reduction initiatives
- To provide, as required, necessary technical inputs in the identification and implementation of urban risks reduction under the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (LDRRF)
- To provide necessary input in developing disaster related policies, plans, and technical proposals or study reports
- To organize consultative meetings between CDMP and city authorities as required
- To provide technical inputs, as required, in the area landslide, tsunami and other geological and urban hazard management
- To perform other tasks as embedded in the above-listed works from time to time as required

Scope of work:

Under the direct supervision of the Urban Risk Reduction Specialist, the incumbent is expected to perform the following tasks spread over a period of 11 months:

Major activities:

- Submit workshop reports between CDMP, the contracted firm and the Geological Survey of Bangladesh to document the progress of the earthquake assessment project
- Submit a quarterly analytical report from the earthquake assessment project to CDMP to be transmitted to the Project’s Technical Advisory Committee
- Submit documentation of CDMP’s engagement with the authorities of the targeted cities and municipalities in the areas of developing risk-informed city / municipality plans, designing and implementing appropriate risk reduction interventions, and conducting public awareness/vulnerability reduction measures.
- Provide progress reports regarding the technical backstopping to the Municipality Association of Bangladesh (MAB) in the implementation of the provisions in its agreement with CDMP in conjunction with the Safer Cities global campaign.
- Submit workshop reports from the periodical academic colloquium on disaster risk reduction with universities or training institutions and academics that offer programmes and or researches in this subject matter and publish the documentation on behalf of CDMP

Supervision and performance evaluation:

CDMP’s Urban Risk Reduction Specialist will supervise the consultant and certify his/her works as the basis of the payment of the monthly salary along with the endorsement of a timesheet by Operations Manager.

Reports:

The Consultant will deliver his output to Urban Risk Reduction Specialist of CDMP in monthly basis/as on when necessary. The consultant is also liable to handover the documents to his supervisor which is needed to accomplish the activities. He will keep all information confidential within CDMP/UNDP. The consultant will finally submit a report on his works and outputs at the end of his assignment.

Inputs:

CDMP will provide necessary logistic supports which will be needed for the working time.

Competencies:

- Good communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multicultural environment.
- Proactive and able to work with minimal supervision and high degree of initiative, reliability, flexibility, motivation, and resourcefulness
- Professionalism: flexibility to make ad-hoc changes as and when the need arises; ability to perform under stress; willingness to keep flexible working hours.
- Teamwork: ability to establish and maintain effective working relations as a team member, in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect
- Demonstrated creativity for graphics design and writing skills.

Required skills and experience:

Academic:

The National Consultant must have honors/master degree in geology from a reputed institute.

Experience:

- At least 10 years professional experiences in substantive and programme management in urban risk reduction
- The Consultant will have professional experience in designing and implementing structural and nonstructural interventions in urban areas of Bangladesh.
- He/she must have practical experience with DRR/LGED/DPHE/Water Development Board or other government departments, reputed NGOs/INGOs or in similar/higher position;
- Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing disaster risk reduction programmes in urban settings;
- Computing skills (word processing and spreadsheets) with ability to design and estimate using computer software shall be an added advantage;