Consultant, Development of Toolkit to Support the Institutionalization of Anticipatory Action into National Disaster Risk Management Systems

Anticipatory action is a proven approach to reduce the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. By linking risk analysis and forecasts to pre-agreed plans, triggers and financing, it enables timely action ahead of hazards, reducing disaster risks, saving lives and protecting livelihoods.

The past decade has seen real progress in planning and pre-arranged financing for anticipatory action: by 2024, 154 anticipatory action frameworks were active across 48 countries, backed by USD 248 million in pre-arranged financing, coordinated by UN, NGO or the IFRC network (Anticipation Hub Overview Report 2024).

Embedding anticipatory action within national systems – laws and policies, planning and budgeting, operational structures, and financing and social protection mechanisms – is essential for maximizing its impact, scale and sustainability.

Examples of government leadership and ownership of the approach are emerging. According to the Anticipation Hub’s Anticipatory Action in 2024: A Global Overview report and IFRC’s 2025 report ‘Strengthening national disaster risk management systems through the integration of anticipatory action’, an increasing number of countries are integrating anticipatory action in laws and policies, strategies or operational plans. Some governments are leveraging national social protection systems to deliver anticipatory action, while two countries (Mongolia and the Philippines) have used domestic budgets to implement anticipatory actions beyond evacuations. Governments are also increasingly leading technical working groups. Full integration, however, remains incomplete.

At the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, 196 States and International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement components committed to scaling up anticipatory action (adopted resolution available here).

This consultancy builds on that commitment. The goal is to support governments in embedding anticipatory approaches into national disaster risk management systems. Building on findings from the 2025 IFRC report ‘Strengthening national disaster risk management systems through the integration of anticipatory action’, this consultancy will develop a practical, user-friendly toolkit to guide governments and partners in advancing this integration.

Supporting governments to embed anticipatory action into national disaster risk management systems is a top priority for IFRC as global lead for Pillar 4 (Preparedness to respond to warnings) of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative.

To design a practical and user-friendly toolkit that supports governments and partners to integrate anticipatory action into domestic disaster risk management systems namely into legal frameworks, forecasting systems, financing mechanisms, operational capacities and coordination structures.

The toolkit is intended to compile and make available actionable products such as short guidance notes, templates, examples/case studies, step-by-step primers, checklists, SOPs or slide decks that can be contextualized in different contexts. We do not want a lengthy narrative guidance document.

The toolkit is also intended to give insights on how local and national processes interact and how these can be aligned to support sustainable institutionalization.

While the format is still to be determined, we are considering a digital, web-based format (with downloadable components), organized by pathway for institutionalization (e.g. laws and policies, forecasting systems, financing mechanisms, operational capacities) and tailored to different user groups (e.g. NDMA, NMHS, Ministry of Finance, NS and partners).

Inception phase

• Conduct a desk review of existing guidance and tools relevant to institutionalizing anticipatory action – including examples of existing government tools, templates, SOPs and other operational instruments used to institutionalize anticipatory action (including those compiled in IFRC’s 2025 report) – to identify a) which existing guidance and tools could be compiled as-is into the global toolkit, b) which could be used as a basis but required adaptation, and c) which gaps exist that will require the development of new guidance/tools.
• Based on the above, develop a concise inception report outlining the proposed methodology, work plan and timeline; identification of tools to be developed or adjusted directly by the consultant vs. pathways/tools requiring specialized expertise; proposal for toolkit structure and preferred format (including digital format options).

Development of the toolkit

• Propose the toolkit structure.
• Compile and/or adapt existing guidance, tools and country examples.
• Develop new tools, as agreed with IFRC.
• Coordinate inputs from any other staff or consultants developing specific technical tools, ensuring overall coherence and consistency.

Validation and refinement

• Facilitate a review and consultation process of the draft toolkit with relevant stakeholders, including governments, Anticipatory Action Task Force (AATF), EW4All Pillar 4 group, Anticipation Hub and REAP Secretariat, and regional IFRC Anticipatory Action focal points. The consultation approach is open for discussion – e.g. whether to do a validation workshop and/or whether to test certain tools with certain interested countries already before the toolkit is finalized, and/or to obtain feedback during upcoming regional/national Anticipatory Action Dialogue Platforms.
• Revise and refine the toolkit contents based on consolidated feedback.
• Provide direction and feedback for the digitalization of the toolkit.

Key deliverables

• Inception report
• Toolkit outline with pathways, user groups and proposed tools
• Draft toolkit including all tools, templates, examples and guidance
• Summary of stakeholder consultations and feedback analysis
• Final toolkit content incorporating feedback

Timeframe

The consultancy is expected to last approximately 6 months, with the possibility of completion in a shorter timeframe.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can dedicate substantial time to the assignment and work full-time whenever possible to ensure timely delivery of outputs. Flexibility in scheduling will be appreciated, but responsiveness and availability during key periods will be critical.

The proposed number of days and timeline for key milestones and deliverables should be outlined in the technical proposal.

Reporting and communication

The consultant will report to the IFRC Anticipatory Action focal point and work closely with relevant experts within IFRC, the Anticipation Hub, REAP and partners such as WFP, FAO and OCHA.

If additional staff or consultants are brought on to support the development of new tools, the consultant will ensure integration and coherence across all products.

Regular meetings will be held to discuss progress, plans and challenges, and for any strategic decision-making. The consultant will also be expected to share progress updates in a proactive and timely manner outside of these meetings.

Location 

This consultancy is home-based/remote, with potential in-person consultations as required.

Budget and payment

The consultancy fee will be negotiated based on the scope of work, estimated level of effort, consultant’s qualifications, relevant experience and alignment with IFRC’s remuneration policies. Payments will be made in accordance with agreed-upon milestones and deliverables outlined in the inception report.

Required

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in disaster risk management and anticipatory action, preferably within the context of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and/or within the context of government systems.

Required

• Fluency in English.
• Proven track record in developing guidance, tools, toolkits or frameworks for governments or international organizations.
• Strong skills in stakeholder engagement across diverse actors.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Familiarity with international standards and best practices in anticipatory action and disaster risk management.
• Familiarity with national disaster risk management systems, social protection mechanisms and/or financing models.

Preferred

• Fluency in French and/or Spanish are strong assets.

Application Instructions

• Please submit your application in English only.
• Please include the following in your application:
  • CV highlighting relevant experience and including references from at least two previous clients/employers.
  • Portfolio of relevant work.
  • Technical proposal (max 3 pages) in accordance with the requirements of this TOR. The proposal should clearly explain the consultant’s approach to delivering the assignment, methodology and timeline. The proposal should also already project which pathways/tools would require specialized expertise.