The consultant will contribute to improved recognition, documentation, and application of indigenous and traditional knowledge in disaster preparedness and resilience, leading to enhanced relevance, trust, and effectiveness of early warning systems at community level in Lao PDR. The assessment will generate validated evidence and practical recommendations for integrating indigenous knowledge into formal early warning and preparedness systems under the CREWS 2.0 project.

Lao PDR

1 Apr-30 Sep 26

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG/ASG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses, and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. It supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. One of the UNDRR’s strategic areas of work in Lao PDR is to support the country’s efforts to strengthen disaster risk governance and risk knowledge for planning and implementation of disaster risk reduction and early warning systems. In this context, UNDRR promotes climate risk management as a core approach to disaster risk reduction, ensuring that climate and disaster risk information is systematically used to inform planning, preparedness, early action, and investment decisions across sectors and administrative levels. In Lao PDR, UNDRR supports the Government, particularly the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) under the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MoLSW), to strengthen disaster risk governance and early warning systems. Under the CREWS 2.0 project, UNDRR is supporting improvements in climate risk and early warning systems, including the systematic documentation and integration of indigenous, local, and traditional knowledge into community-based disaster risk management and early warning dissemination. Indigenous, local, and traditional knowledge held by communities across Lao PDR represents an important and often underutilized resource for disaster preparedness and resilience. Findings from the 2025 National Early Warning System (EWS) Perception Survey in Lao PDR indicate that while communities generally recognize the value of early warnings, gaps remain in trust, comprehension, and confidence in taking timely action. Variations in message clarity, language accessibility, and preparedness participation, particularly among ethnic communities, persons with disabilities, and elderly populations, highlight that technical forecasting capacity alone does not guarantee effective early warning. The survey also underscores the importance of trusted last-mile communication channels such as village loudspeakers, face-to-face dissemination, and local authorities, emphasizing that EWS effectiveness depends on social credibility and cultural relevance as much as scientific accuracy. In this context, indigenous and local knowledge systems represent a critical yet underutilized asset for strengthening end-to-end EWS effectiveness. Traditional environmental indicators, community coping practices, and locally trusted leadership structures influence how risks are interpreted and when action is taken, even if not always formally recognized as “knowledge sources.” Systematically documenting and integrating these insights can enhance the credibility, inclusiveness, and actionability of warnings, supporting culturally grounded messaging, improving translation into local languages, and embedding early action guidance in familiar community practices. This consultancy will support the Government of Lao PDR to integrate indigenous knowledge to promote more people-centered, trusted, and responsive early warning system in the country. The consultant will work closely with DSW of MoLSW, Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, UNDRR, and relevant stakeholders at national and subnational levels to conduct the assessment of indigenous, local, and traditional knowledge relevant to disaster resilience and early warning. The consultant will be based in Vientiane or any province in Lao, PDR and work closely with UNDRR’s Climate and Disaster-Resilient Development Specialist based in Vientiane, Lao PDR under supervision of Programme Management Officer, UNDRR Regional Office for Asisa and the Pacific (ROAP). Specific Tasks: The Consultant will be responsible for leading and coordinating the assessment of indigenous, local, and traditional knowledge in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Tasks are divided into four distinct phases. Phase I: Inception, Desk Review, and Research Design (15 working days) - Conduct a comprehensive desk review to map existing policies, strategies, community preparedness plans, CREWS Phase I documentation, studies, project reports, and guidance related to indigenous, ethnic, local knowledges and practices. - Map existing institutional frameworks, guidance and documented indigenous knowledge practices relevant to EWS and disaster resilience.Review national policies, community preparedness plans, CREWS Phase I documentation, and relevant regional and global guidance. - Develop the assessment framework, methodology, and research tools (FGD guides, KII protocols, mini household/community survey tools). - Prepare and submit an inception report outlining the study design, site selection criteria, stakeholder engagement approach, ethical considerations, work plan, and timeline. - Convene inception meetings with DSW, DMH, UNDRR, and relevant stakeholders to validate the assessment framework and fieldwork arrangements. - Coordinate closely with designated focal points throughout implementation. Phase 2: Field Data collection and Documentation (18 working days) - Conduct field visits in selected communities to document indigenous, local, and traditional knowledge and practices, using the following methods: o Household and community mini surveys to capture locally used indicators, coping strategies, and early action practices o Focus group discussions (FGDs) with ethnic groups, elders, women, persons with disabilities, and representatives of diverse socio-cultural groups o Key informant interviews (KIIs) with community leaders, traditional knowledge holders, local authorities, religious leaders, and practitioners - Direct observation and documentation of practices and physical indicators during field visits - Document selected case stories illustrating how indigenous knowledge and traditional practices have informed early action and disaster response in real events, highlighting practical lessons, community innovation, and complementarities with scientific warnings. Phase 3: Data Analysis, Integration Assessment, and Validation (19 working days) - Transcribe, clean, and organize qualitative and survey data. - Analyze findings to identify patterns, strengths, contextual variations, and gaps. - Analyze verified knowledge and practices to identify complementarities and synergies between indigenous knowledge and scientific forecasting and early warning systems. - Identify practical entry points for integration of indigenous knowledge into early warning dissemination, preparedness planning, and early action protocols, with attention to feasibility and scalability - Prepare preliminary findings and facilitate multi-stakeholder validation workshops at community and/or subnational levels. - Incorporate validation feedback into refined analysis. Phase 4: Reporting and Final Deliverables (8 working days) - Consolidate findings into a comprehensive assessment report including practical recommendations for integration into early warning and preparedness systems. (English and Laotian)

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social science (anthropology, sociology etc.), climate change, disaster risk management, environmental science, development studies, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with additional relevant experience may be accepted. At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the followings areas: disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, community-resilience, early warning systems, anthropology, sociology, or community-based research related. is required xperience in conducting qualitative and participatory research, including community-based assessments. Is required. Experience in analytical writing and documentation of indigenous, local, or traditional knowledge, or working with diverse ethnic communities in Lao PDR or similar contexts is desirable. Experience with national DRR frameworks, early warning systems, and community-based disaster risk management approaches in Lao PDR, including experience working with government institutions at national, provincial, and/or community levels is desirable. Experience working with UN agencies or similar international development partners is desirable.

Fluency in English and Laotian is required.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

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