Consultant for the mapping and assessment of domestic International Disaster Response Laws (IDRL) of Central Asian countries

• • Objectives of the IDRL Mapping Research for Central Asia

  The Central Asia International Disaster Response Law (IDRL) mapping research for Central Asia seeks to map the national legal frameworks of Central Asian states which guide the facilitation and regulation of international disaster assistance. These states are the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan. The national legal framework of each Central Asian state will be assessed in terms of how they enable the enforcement of the 2021 Central Asia Regulation on the Regional Emergency Response Coordination Mechanism (“Regulation”) as well as best practice standards on international disaster assistance that are recommended by the Guidelines on the Facilitation and Regulation of International Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Assistance, more commonly known as the International Disaster Response Law Guidelines (“IDRL Guidelines”), and its accompanying tools.

  It is important to establish a baseline mapping and assessment of each state’s national legal framework on international disaster response in order to provide country-level recommendations on how the Regulation and the IDRL Guidelines can be implemented through national laws. Moreover, the research recommendations will be submitted for the consideration of the emergency management authorities of Central Asia through the annual Regional Forum – Meeting of the Heads of Emergency management Authorities of Central Asian States[1] to ensure ministerial-level support which will be necessary to carry out the recommendations for the longer term.

  In addition, there is also a need to understand how CESDRR can fulfill the role of an emergency response coordination center (ERCC) for the region. Currently, CESDRR hosts the emergency situation room that was established under the Regulation, but it does not hold the full mandate, capacities and resources which a fully-functioning ERCC would have in order to provide disaster preparedness and response coordination for the region. Thus, the IDRL mapping research will include a section on best practices on the establishment and operation of regional humanitarian coordination bodies that support states in the facilitation and regulation of international disaster assistance, focusing on the AHA Centre and the EU ERCC.

The key outputs of this consultancy are as follows:

1. Inception report containing the research framework and research methodology. This should include:
• Research methodology
• Research template for the international disaster law mapping in Central Asia (CA). The Disaster Law Delegate for Central Asia will provide the consultant a research template that have been used in past International Disaster Response Law (IDRL) mappings. The research template should be improved and adjusted by the consultant based on the context of Central Asia countries’ legal systems for disaster risk management and the provisions of the 2021 Central Asia Regulation on the Regional Emergency Response Coordination Mechanism.
2. IDRL Country Factsheets: This contains the legal mapping of domestic disaster laws, policies and agreements of Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan) relevant to international disaster response / international disaster assistance, in relation to supporting the implementation of the 2021 Central Asia Regulation on the Regional Coordination Mechanism, including laws, policies, and agreements on the following thematic areas:
• Disaster risk management or emergency management for all kinds of disasters
• Civil defense
• Public health emergency
• Tax and customs regimes for humanitarian goods
• Entry of special humanitarian goods and equipment (e.g. medicines, medical equipment, transportation)
• Transportation of humanitarian goods, equipment and personnel (land, air, sea)
• Use of telecommunications
• Use of drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
• Immigration / Visa regimes for humanitarian personnel
• Practice of foreign profession (e.g. foreign emergency medical teams)
• Currency and banking
• Volunteering
• Humanitarian access

“Mapping” includes the following: (1) collection of the laws, regulations and policies and uploading soft copies in an accessible cloud database, (2) organization of such data based on themes / questions in the research template, (3) identification of the relevant provisions in such laws/policies/agreements as they relate to international disaster assistance, and (4) in-depth analysis of how such provisions impact on each country’s facilitation and regulation of international disaster assistance for all kinds of disasters, as well as analysis of gaps or weaknesses. Specifically, the analysis should also show strengths and gaps in domestic laws as they relate to the implementation of 2021 Central Asia Regulation on the Regional Emergency Response Coordination Mechanism.

3. Presentation of results of the draft IDRL country level factsheets and draft IDRL regional report to the regional consultation workshop organized by IFRC together with CESDRR and emergency management authorities of Central Asia.

4. Participation in and documentation of the proceedings and outcomes of the regional consultation workshop.

5. Final Central Asia IDRL Report : This will be based on: (a) the results of the IDRL country level factsheets and the comparative analysis of such findings, and (b) the results of the regional consultation workshop. The report should show the trends in terms of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges in domestic legal frameworks of each CA country, and recommendations on how domestic laws can be improved to support the effective implementation of the 2021 Central Asia Regulation on the Regional Emergency Response Coordination Mechanism.

6. Executive Summary of Central Asia IDRL Report

7. Powerpoint presentation on the final report; preparation of other required Powerpoint presentations relevant to the research and the regional workshop.

8. Participation in all relevant meetings between the consultant and IFRC, CESDRR, National Societies, government, regional disaster risk management institutions, and other stakeholders involved in the research and workshop.

9.Unofficial translation from local language to English language of all referenced documents in the research. Machine translation is acceptable. The consultant is responsible for reviewing the accuracy of said translation.

1. Time Allocation, for budget purposes

This consultancy is output-based. Below is a table for the suggested allocation of person-days to comply with the overall project timeline identified in the Concept Note.

• Degree in Law

• At least 10 years work experience in legal work
• Substantial experience in legal research and analysis
• Has a good understanding of legal frameworks in Central Asia

Required:

• Excellent writing and verbal skills in Russian and English
• Able to meet deadlines

Preferred:

• Experience in supporting law reform is preferred
• Experience working in Central Asia is preferred