National Consultant – Project Development Expert, Disaster Preparedness

Background

A. Background:

A total of 745,000 Rohingya have fled violence across the border from Myanmar into Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong Hill Tracts since August 2017. They have joined over 300,000 Rohingya who took refuge in Bangladesh in earlier. While benefiting from the generous hospitality offered to them by the people of Bangladesh, the scale of the crisis is such that Bangladesh cannot be expected to single-handedly meet the most acute needs of the Rohingya. Substantial additional support from the international community is required.

Bangladesh is ranked among the top ten most disaster-prone countries in the world, and Cox’s Bazar district is exposed to numerous hazards including cyclones, landslides, flash floods, and earthquakes. The location, living conditions and status of the Rohingya make them highly vulnerable to disastrous impacts from these hazards. To manage the threat to life and health posed by these risks and hazards, the humanitarian actors in Cox’s Bazar have stepped up their disaster risk reduction and preparedness efforts. An Emergency Preparedness Task Force has been formed to support sectors. UNDP has been asked to play a technical advisory role within this task force, with a particular focus on disaster risk reduction and coherence with national systems and capacities.

In support of the Government and humanitarian actors’ efforts to manage the seasonal and extreme weather events associated with the cyclone and rainy season, UNDP is implementing a multi-year, multi-donor program for strengthening Disaster Risk Management in Cox’s Bazar (January 2018 to March 2021). The program focuses on strengthening local government capacity to manage disaster and extreme weather events, improving forecasting, risk modeling, and mapping for key stakeholders, supporting community-based disaster risk reduction for landslide and flash floods, and providing disaster risk management technical advisory services to the humanitarian community, enhancing capacities for managing residual risks and inclusive COVID-19 response and recovery.  

However, UNDP has been reviewing and evaluating the project, collecting lessons learned, and good practices to designing the next phase. In this connection, UNDP is seeking a Project Development Expert who will develop the project proposal and necessary annexes on Disaster Preparedness focusing on Forecast-Based Early Actions and work with the Brussels team for the submission of a project proposal to DG ECHO (aimed to submit a proposal prior to 15 March 2021)

B. Objectives:

The consultant is tasked with the development and delivery of full project proposals and necessary annexes of Disaster Preparedness focusing on Forecast-Based Early Actions in line with UNDP and DG ECHO HIP 2021 guidelines. This will require consultation and taking input from all relevant stakeholders to produce the Project Document (DRM team, UNDP Cox’s Bazar Sub-Office staff, government officials, NGO representatives, local communities etc.) both in-person and remotely. Travel to project locations will be required to meet and consult with communities, local governments and potential partners of this project. The consultant may require reviewing forecast-based early action projects and early action protocols developed and implemented by different stakeholders in Bangladesh. The proposed package should cover all sections of DG ECHO Single Form.  Finally, the consultant will support the project and Brussels team for the submission of a project proposal to the DG ECHO (aimed to submit a proposal prior to 15 March 2021) and will address any feedbacks that arise during the submission process. 

Duties and Responsibilities

C. Scope of Work:

Under the overall strategic guidance of the UNDP Cox´s Bazar Head of Sub-Office, the supervision of the Programme Coordinator, and in close collaboration with the Chief Technical Advisor and National Disaster Risk Specialist, the Project Development Expert will be responsible for the following tasks and ensuring the timely delivery and quality of the following outputs:

• Develop and submit a detailed work plan with clear milestones to accomplish the assignment
• Traveling to Cox’s Bazar District as necessary for meetings, consultation, taking inputs from staff, key stakeholders and local communities. However, the assignment is home-based with short field visit around 5 working days.  
• Consultation and taking inputs from all relevant stakeholders to produce the Project Document (DRM team, UNDP Cox’s Bazar Sub-Office staff, government officials, NGO representatives, local communities etc.) both in person and remotely.
• Taking stock of the existing project documents and reports in Cox’s Bazar.
• Taking stock and literature review of existing forecast based early actions projects, early action protocols and documents developed and implemented by different stakeholders in Bangladesh.
• Preparation of a comprehensive Project Document on Disaster Preparedness focusing on Forecast-Based Early Actions for DG ECHO HIP 2021 funding. The Project Document should reflect the outputs produced as a result of implementation of the previous Disaster Risk Management phases in Cox’s Bazar financed by DG ECHO and other donors. The preparation of the full Project Document will include quality control and final formulation of the following indicative sections especially following DG ECHO Single Form document.
  • General information
  • Humanitarian Organization in the area of intervention (presence in the area, project synergies with other actions) 
  • Needs Assessment and Beneficiaries (assessment; problem, needs and risks analysis; response analysis, beneficiaries) 
  • Logic of Interventions/ Project Results Framework
  • Field Coordination
  • Management Arrangements
  • Quality Marker (Gender and Resilience)
  • Monitoring Framework and Evaluation
  • Communication, Visibility and Information activities
  • Financial Overview of the Action
  • Conclusion
  • Annexes
    • Financial Proposal/Budget
    • Work Plan
    • Staffing schedule
    • Early action protocol for disaster (cyclone)  

The above sections are indicative; as templates may be subject to change, the consultant will be required to obtain guidance from the UNDP team on applicable formats and templates to ensure that his/her work is compliant with DG ECHO Single Form. The development of this Project Document will include all inputs from the DRM team, consolidated by the consultant.

• Preparation and submission of a detailed work plan with clear milestones for the assignment approved by the Programme Coordinator.
• Preparation of early action protocol for disaster (cyclone) 
• Preparation of a comprehensive Project Document on Disaster Preparedness focusing on Forecast-Based Early Actions for DG ECHO HIP 2021 funding
• Provision of further project information or revisions in response to project reviews
• Support the project and Brussels team for the submission of a project proposal to the DG ECHO (aimed to submit a proposal prior to 15 March 2021) and support addressing any feedbacks arise during submission processes. 

D. DELIVERABLES (27 January to 15 March 2021)

• Preparation and submission of a detailed work plan with clear milestones for the assignment approved by the Program Coordinator
• Preparation of early action protocol for disaster (cyclone)
• Preparation and delivery of full project proposal with necessary annexes on Disaster Preparedness focusing on Forecast-Based Early Actions for DG ECHO HIP 2021 funding
• Provision of further project information or revisions in response to proposal reviews
• Support project and Brussels team for the submission of project proposal to the DG ECHO (aimed to submit proposal prior to 15 March 2021) and support addressing any feedbacks arise during submission processes. 

E. SUPERVISION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:

The consultant will report to the Programme Coordinator, UNDP Cox’s Bazar. He/she will also closely coordinate with Chief Technical Advisor and National Disaster Risk Specialist.

F. TIMEFRAME AND DEADLINES:

The duration of the assignment will be 30 Days during 01 February 2021 to 15 March 2021. 

Delivery/Outputs	Estimated Duration to complete	Payment
Submission of a detailed work plan with clear milestones for the assignment approved by the Programme Coordinator Preparation of early action protocol for disaster (cyclone) Submission of full project proposal with necessary annexes on Disaster Preparedness focusing on Forecast-Based Early Actions for DG ECHO HIP 2021 funding	23 working days (27 January 2021 to 01 March 2021)	70% upon submission of the project documents and time sheet.
Provision of further project information or revisions in response to proposal reviews Support project and Brussels team for the submission of project proposal to the DG ECHO (aimed to submit proposal prior to 15 March 2021) and support addressing any feedbacks arise during submission processes.	7 working days (05 March to 15 March 2021)	30% upon submission of the project documents and time sheet.

G. DOCUMENTS:

The Consultant will prepare and submit the above-mentioned documents during the assignment period.

H. INPUTS:

The Consultant will use his/her own personal equipment/laptop.  

I. Duty Station, Travel and DSA:

The consultant will undertake short field travel (5 working days) to Cox’s Bazar District as deemed necessary for the proposal development but is otherwise expected to complete most of the work at consultant’s home base. The financial proposal should encompass all costs related to these requirements. 

UNDP will facilitate the necessary introduction to the DC office, UzDMCs, UDMCs and local communities for consultation activities if required to complete the assignment. 

Competencies

J. Competencies:

•   Good interpersonal skills;

•    Ability to take initiative and promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;

•    Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships to facilitate work goals;

•    Demonstrable capacity to build knowledge through using various sources;

•    Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;

•    Positive, constructive attitude to work, effective problem solving, self-improvement, analysis and synthesis;

•    Openness to change and ability to responds positively to feedback and differing points of view and integrates & updates accordingly; adaptability, creativity;

•   Excellent presentation and facilitation skills;

•    Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;

•    Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity and adaptability;

•    Exhibit strong teamwork skills in a complex environment.

•    Confident in demonstration of work.

•    Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

K. Academic Qualifications:

I) Minimum master’s degree in disaster risk reduction, disaster management, development studies, social science, or any relevant field of study from a recognized university.

II) Experiences: 

• Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience in disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and/or humanitarian sector;
• Experience of leading and at least 02 preparation of successful funding proposals especially for DG ECHO
• At least 1 years’ Experience in forecast-based early actions or forecast based financing
• Minimum 4 years’ Experience working with UN agencies and international organizations

L. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Lump sum contracts

The financial proposal shall specify a total Daily Professional Fee, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this daily professional fee (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

M. EVALUATION

Individual Consultant will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

Cumulative analysis:

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight; [70]

* Financial Criteria weight; [30]

Only individual obtaining a minimum of 70% (i.e. 49 points out of 70 points) in the technical analysis would be considered for financial appraisal.

Criteria	Weight	Max. Point
Technical	70%	70
Minimum master’s degree in disaster risk reduction, disaster management, development studies, social science, or any relevant field of study from a recognized university.	10%	10
Relevant work experience in disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and/or humanitarian sector;	15%	15
Experience in leading and number of preparations of successful funding proposals especially for DG ECHO (Need to submit he evidence)	30%	30
Experience in forecast-based early actions or forecast based financing would be a strong advantage (Need to submit the evidence)	5%	5
Experience working with UN agencies and international organizations	10%	10
Financial	30%	30

N. RECOMMENDED PRESENTATION OF THE OFFERS

• Interested individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

• http://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/operations/jobs/

• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
• Financial Proposal: Financial Proposal has to be submitted through a standard interest and availability template which can be downloaded from the link below:

• http://www.bd.undp.org/content/dam/bangladesh/docs/Jobs/Interest%20and%20Submission%20of%20Financial%20Proposal-Template%20for%20Confirmation.docx