Technical Consultant for Strengthening of DMICs

About the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center:

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is an autonomous international organization established for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes with a vision of safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific.

Established in 1986 as a technical capacity-building center, ADPC has grown and diversified its expertise across social and physical sciences to support sustainable solutions for risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas. With over 100 staff from 19 different nationalities and a wide range of professional expertise from atmospheric scientists to social scientists with experiences from all levels of engagement typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) effectively. ADPC has six strategic themes supported by seven departments: the ADPC Academy, Risk Governance, Climate Resilience, Urban Resilience, Health Risk Management, Preparedness for Response and Recovery, and Geospatial Information. These are supported by Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Strategic Planning departments. In addition to the departments, ADPC also works on three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Diversity, Poverty and Livelihoods, and Regional and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees.

ADPC Strategy 2020 guides the organization in providing comprehensive risk reduction support to countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC recognizes the importance of examining the linkages between disaster risk management, poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainability, rights-based approaches, climate change, and regional cooperation. For details, please refer to the ADPC website.

Department Introduction:

The Preparedness for Response and Recovery (PRR) Department of ADPC focuses on enhancing the preparedness and response management capacities of governments, response organizations, volunteers, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, communities, and other traditional and non-traditional actors of the Disaster Risk Management Ecosystem. It also strives to strengthen the capacity of institutions and at-risk communities for faster and more efficient disaster recovery. The department works with the above-stated actors to ensure that the regional, national, sub-national, and local disaster preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks and implementation plans are in place well before disaster strikes.

Purpose and Objectives:

ADPC is co-implementing and facilitating Phase 2 of the Bangladesh Preparedness Partnership under the overall leadership and guidance of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), Bangladesh. BPP is an innovative partnership instrumental in supporting the Government of Bangladesh in leading and operationalizing its flagship policy of SOD 2019 through a multi-stakeholder partnership model. Phase 2 of the BPP will strengthen the multi-stakeholder partnership platform at the national and sub-national levels, building operational and technical capacities, research applications, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms.

ADPC seeks to recruit a technical consultant to conduct an in-depth, evidence-based study and develop a technical proposal to improve the Disaster Management Information Centers (DMIC) functioning in three working districts of Bangladesh such as Kurigram, Bagerhat, and Bandarban. The DMICs were established to enhance Bangladesh's disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. However, currently, DMICs are highly underutilized. As a need expressed by the MoDMR from the government sector, BPP will facilitate the strengthening and operationalization of three DMICs to develop a proof of concept.

The study will articulate the gaps and needs and propose recommendations to prepare a comprehensive proposal identifying the current strengths and scope of work for the functioning and further strengthening of the DMIC in three working districts of BPP. The Consultant will work closely with the relevant stakeholders to develop and finalize the operational guidelines, SOPs, and other relevant technical reports for the operationalization of the DMICs.

Expected Outputs:

The Consultant is responsible for working closely with the program team, BPP partners, senior officials from the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), respective District Administration officials and District Relief and Rehabilitation Officers (DRRO).

Responsibilities and Tasks:

The following are the indicative responsibilities and tasks illustrated to complete the assignment, but not limited to.

• Desk Research: Conduct desk research to understand the existing provisions and identify the strengths, gaps, and scope of work on DMIC.
• Finalizing Outline, Methodologies and Tools: Finalizing the methodologies and tools for conducting the study at national and local levels through consultation with key stakeholders/BPP sectoral partners.
• Conducting Field Assessment: Conduct the field study at national and local levels.
• Preparing Technical Report: Preparing draft report and sharing it with the program team for technical review and input.
• Sharing the draft report with stakeholders to validate: Conducting multi-sectoral stakeholder meetings to disseminate the findings and collect feedback.
• Finalizing the study report: Finalizing the study report in printable format incorporating comments from the Ministry and BPP partners.
• Preparing proposal: Developing proposal stating clear findings and recommendations for functioning DMIC in three working districts.
• Technical Assistance: Provide technical assistance, and handholding support to the relevant partners in the implementation of hardware and software support to DMICs.
• Development of SOP: Preparing separate Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as the stepwise guidelines to enable the team to perform the assigned activities for functioning DMIC in three working districts.

Working Principles:

The Consultant will work closely with the Senior Project Manager based in Dhaka and the Project Management Specialist based in Bangkok, Thailand, under the overall guidance of the Director of preparedness for Response and Recovery. The consultant will report to the Project Management Specialist based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Qualifications:

Education and Expertise:

• A Master’s degree in Emergency Management, Information Management Systems, International Development, Disaster Management, or any other relevant university degree. Ph.D. is desirable;
• At least ten years of experience in working with national and international organizations in the area of Disaster Management, Emergency Management will be an added advantage;
• Extensive expertise, knowledge, and experience in the field of Disaster Information Management, emergency preparedness and response, multi-sectoral engagement in DRR, and institutional strengthening and policy formulation;
• Knowledge and understanding of the Disaster Management ecosystem of Bangladesh, baseline and capacity assessments, and functioning of emergency preparedness and coordination systems in the South Asian Region;
• Excellent English language skills, both oral and written;
• Proven working experience with national and local level government agencies in the Asian region is desirable;

Personal Qualities:

• Self-motivated, proactive, and ability to meet deadlines;
• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize work and time independently;
• Verbal and written communication skills in English are essential;
• Excellent writing and communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience working in a multicultural environment;
• Works well in a team;
• Work in a diversified, multi-dimensional, and changing environment

General Requirements:

• Operate within all ADPC Guidelines & Procedures/ Policies
• Operate within specific program needs

Duty Station: Home based with field missions to program districts as required.

Duration: October 2024 – March 2025 (06 months)

Itinerary: To be finalized in consultation with the program team.

How to apply

Interested Candidates can submit the completed ADPC application form (downloadable from www.adpc.net) resume, copy of degrees/certificate(s), and cover letter to [email protected].

Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

ADPC encourages diversity in its workplace and supports an inclusive work environment.

Note: Applicants who submit incomplete documents required as listed above will not be considered.