Background

The geographical location, land characteristics, multiplicity of rivers and the monsoon climate render Sierra Leone highly vulnerable to disasters. The country is exposed to a large range of natural and man-made hazards such as floods, epidemics, windstorms with thunderstorms, mass movements including landslides and mudslides, drought/dry spells, coastal erosion, fires and water sources pollution are frequent occurrences. Disasters have caused great loss to lives and infrastructure, and substantially contribute to increased poverty challenges in the country. The impacts of global climate change are expected to result in an amplification of hazards in both frequency and intensity.
 
In a bid to address these emerging trends the Government of Sierra Leone established the Disaster Management Department with the Office of National Security (ONS/DMD). The country has developed a draft Disaster Management Policy in 2006, which is yet to be endorsed by Parliament. This draft Policy states the aims, objectives, strategies, roles and responsibilities of coordinating institutions and implementing agencies, and emphasizes the need for a holistic approach, and improving the integration of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) into sustainable development programmes and policies.
 
The Sierra Leone Government has committed itself to review the National DRM Policy through a participatory process with a clear definition of strategic actions and activities, through the development of National DRM Strategy and Action Plan. The strategy should provide unambiguous guidelines, and set national priorities for disaster risk reduction. The cohesion of the strategy should encourage complementarities, remove duplication, and ensure mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction into development planning.
 
In this context, ONS/DMD with support from UNDP intends to engage a team comprised of an international and a national consultant to update the National DRM policy as well as to develop National DRM Strategy and Action Plan for Sierra Leone.
 
 Justification
 
A national DRM policy serves as requisite institutional capacity tool for disaster reduction at all levels, and increase the use of knowledge, education, training, innovation and information sharing to build safe and resilient societies.
 
To operationalize and update the draft 2006 Disaster Risk Management Policy, there is a need to develop a multi-dimensional strategy that provides for disaster mainstreaming in development, the strengthening of the institutionalization of disaster management, the strengthening of disaster management analytic skills, research, and the development of an information system, advocacy, partnership and policy dialogue.
 
There is a critical need for the Disaster Management Department in the ONS to have a comprehensive strategic plan that will guide the effective implementation of its mandate. The Plan is a critical instrument to establish, build capacity of the national disaster management office, and create the conditions to effectively execute its mandate. The strategic plan will serve as the roadmap for operationalizing and reaching disaster management goals and objectives. It will further serve as an integrated document for stakeholders’ participation in this urgent and important national task.
 
The strategic plan will be in line with the national priorities and will contribute to implementation of the Agenda for Prosperity programme, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Platform, and Hyogo Framework for Action 2005 – 2015, as well as the UNDP Country Program Action Plan 2013-14.  
 
Objective
 
The main objective of the consultancy is to review and update the draft DRM policy and development of DRM Strategy and its Action Plan. This will provide the logical steps and actions required to bring about efficient and effective disaster risk management in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Results Expected
  • The key expected results of this consultancy are a DRM Policy document as well as a DRM Strategy and Action Plan. It is expected that the work will be done through intensive consultations, interviews and discussions with all relevant stakeholders as well as review of existing DRM documents;
  • In order to ensure national ownership, the Consultant will produce a DRM Policy and Strategy document including specific plan of action, in close collaboration with the Disaster Management Department of the Office of National Security, Sierra Leone. Collaboration is also expected to take place with the Sierra Leone Red Cross, WHO, FAO, UNICEF, World Bank and other relevant stakeholders.
Deliverables
 
The Consultant will be expected to deliver:
  • An updated Disaster Risk Management Policy for Sierra Leone;
  • A National Disaster Risk Management Strategy and Action Plan for Sierra Leone, including flowchart;
  • Facilitation of a National workshop to validate and disseminate the key findings with stakeholders, including brief training of how to respond to the protocol;
  • To achieve the above mentioned deliverables, the consultant team will be responsible for the following:
  • Assemble and analyse information relevant to DRM in Sierra Leone, including disaster risks, hazards, and vulnerable areas;
  • Identify relevant stakeholders, and liaise with government institutions, UN agency, NGOs and CSOs;
  • Organize and facilitate stakeholder consultations, interviews, and validation workshop;
  • Evaluate and integrate relevant comments received during validation workshop into the final versions of the updated Disaster Risk Management Policy, Disaster Risk Management Strategy and Action Plan.

Competencies

  • Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Practical knowledge of DRM in a developing country context;
  • Strong analytical skills, particularly applied to policy development and strategic planning;
  • Demonstrate excellent communication skills;
  • Build strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Demonstrated experience in the development of policies and strategic plans;
  • Experience working in Sierra Leone or a similar developing country context.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Advanced University degree or higher in disaster management, environmental studies, natural resource management, or other relevant disciplines.
Experience
  • At least 7 years of relevant professional experience;
  •  International experience in disaster risk management, including hazard and risk assessments.
Language Requirements
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.     
Reporting Mechanism
  • The International Consultant will work under the supervision of the UNDP Programme Manager, Environment, in close collaboration with the Disaster Management Department of Office of the National Security.
Duration
  • It is expected that the completion of the deliverables will take 45 days;
  • The International Consultant will be expected to start within 10 working days of signing the contract.
Location and Travel:
  • The International Consultant will be based at the UNDP Country Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone, and the consultants are expected to use their own computer. Logistical support will be provided by UNDP. It is expected that the International Consultant will spend a total of 45 days in Sierra Leone, including Freetown and districts outside of the Western Area.
Payment Modalities
Payment to the consultant will be made in three instalments upon satisfactory completion of the following deliverables:
  • 1st Instalment: 20% upon start of work;
  • 2nd Instalment: 30% upon submission of the draft documents to the UNDP;
  • 3rd Instalment: 50% upon submission and approval of the final documents.
Evaluation criteria
 
The application will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum score is 100% out of a total score for technical criteria equals 70% and 30% for financial criteria. The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per the weightings provided:
  • Background: 10%;
  • Methodology of approach in accomplishing the consultancy including though not limited to (a) timelines, (b) data collection and sources, (c) strategies addressing possible risks and barriers and management responses: 50% 
  • Professional Experience with respect to TOR: (a) Demonstrated experience in disaster risk management (b) A good understanding of the process of DRM strategy and policy formulation 10%;
  • c) Strong analytical skills, particularly applied to policy and strategy development: 20%;
  • Substantial professional knowledge and experience in Sierra Leone and / or in similar geographic conditions: 10%;
  • Financial proposal: 30%.
Application Procedure
  • Cover letter;
  • Completed P11 form http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_personal_history_form.doc;
  • Detailed achievement based CV;
  • Brief technical proposal on how the consultant plans to conduct the work;
  • Financial proposal, including breakdown of consultancy fee inclusive of travel and other costs.
NB: Applications will only be considered if they include ALL the above mentioned documents