Background

Myanmar is committed to implement the Sendai Framework for Action on Disaster Risk Reduction and meet its targets. Myanmar is co-chair of ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management Working Group on Recovery along with Indonesia and led the process of developing the ASEAN Disaster Recovery Reference Guide. To improve planning and management of recovery processes, the Government constituted the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Working Committee. However, all the functions relating to disaster recovery were not established and defining clear roles in recovery assessments, planning, implementation, monitoring and funding has been a challenge. Lack of technical capacity, human and financial resources, awareness, lack of inter-ministerial convening power and limited presence below State /Region level make it challenging for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Working Committee to perform wide-ranging responsibilities and coordinate the work of line ministries. In addition, there is a high reliance on international experts for several aspects of recovery planning and implementation.

The initiative “Building Capacities for Resilient Recovery – Phase 2”, under the Governance for Resilience and Sustainability Project in UNDP Myanmar, aims to support the Government of Myanmar’s efforts, already initiated at regional level, to strengthen the country’s preparedness for assessing, planning, implementing, monitoring and financing sustainable recovery processes, able to integrate Build Back Better principles.

Output 1 of this project aims to improve the enabling environment for recovery by formulating National Disaster Recovery Guidelines. The development of this Guideline will help define institutional arrangements, financing mechanisms, implementation and monitoring arrangements, and local systems for recovery during small and large-scale disasters, to address recovery needs of the affected communities holistically, build back better and to reduce communities’ vulnerability in the next disaster.

Output 2 of the project aims to enhance technical capacities for recovery planning and implementation, including adapting PDNA guidelines to the national context. Myanmar has already conducted PDNAs (after 2008 Nargis cyclone and 2015 floods), there is no standard methodology approved by the national government for assessing recovery needs. A Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) training was organized and conducted in the end of August 2018 in Naypyidaw, involving 40 representatives from key sectorial ministries along with representatives from NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies and ADB. The training was organized in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management, under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, and in partnership with the European Union and the World Bank.

The project will support the adoption of the national contextualized PDNA methodology by consolidating baseline data for all sectors; developing standardized templates for data collection and analysis, including using mobile technology; establishing a central database for information in all PDNA sectors; developing standard operating procedures for conducting the assessment and defining roles and responsibilities; and considering peculiarities for specific disasters.

The international consultant will support the project in the preliminary work needed for adapting PDNA guidelines to the Myanmar context.

Duties and Responsibilities

With the technical guidance of the Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist, under the overall supervision of the Project Manager/Chief Technical Advisor from UNDP Country Office, and supported by a National Recovery Officer, the international consultant will support the country office in the preliminary work necessary for adapting PDNA guidelines in the Myanmar context, specifically on collecting and consolidating the pre-disaster baseline data.

The consultant will support UNDP and Department of Disaster Management in the preliminary work needed to adapt PDNA guideline to Myanmar, including:

1. Based on the EU, WB and UNDP developed PDNA Guidelines Volume A and B, to build consolidated pre-disaster baseline data at national level, including:

• Collect and compile from different relevant sources of information (Myanmar 2014 Census report, sectorial reports and studies, etc.) existing relevant data
• Identify missing relevant information, integrate it by collecting data from direct government sources
• Build a simple user-friendly and updatable database.  It is expected that the pre-disaster baseline database will include:

• Pre-disaster demographic, socio-economic, geographic, ethnic and cultural information, poverty and education levels, food security, etc.
• Pre-disaster data for each sector
• Detailed pre-disaster information for one selected sector that will be identified from Department of Disaster Management
• Geographic location of basic infrastructure, energy, potable water, including demand and service capacity of utilities
• Nature and extent of pre-disaster hazards, vulnerabilities and risks
• National as well as state/regional development plans, socio-economic goals in the short term, and poverty reduction strategies, land-use plans
• Data disaggregated by sex and if possible, age, ethnical or cultural/religious characteristics

2. Analyze existing practices and tools (e.g. post-2015 floods PDNA, post-Nargis Cyclone PDNA) for conducting PDNA in Myanmar and produce detailed recommendations for adapting PDNA methodology in the country

The international consultant is expected to deliver:

1. Detailed workplan, agreed with UNDP and DDM
2. Consolidated pre-disaster baseline database, including detailed information for one selected sector (to be agreed with DDM)
3. Based on analysis of practices, gaps and needs for conducting previous PDNA processes in the country, sets of recommendation for adapting PDNA methodology to the Myanmar context, including on how to promote and integrate use of innovation

For these tasks, the international consultant’s inputs will be up to: 30 working days (which include both home based and in country work). During his/her assignment the consultant is expected to conduct one mission in Myanmar (Naypyitaw and Yangon) to be scheduled in agreement with UNDP and Department of Disaster Management. 

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.

Functional competencies:

• Development and Operational Effectiveness:
• Ability to contribute to strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Demonstrates practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP. 

Client Orientation:

• Maintains relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; 
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Professionalism:

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
• Excellent reporting skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Educational background:  

• Masters’ Degree or higher in the field of Disaster Risk Management, Development Studies, Social Science, Geography, or a related field

Relevant Experience:  

• At least 7 years of relevant work experience in Disaster Risk Reduction, with a focus on recovery planning and implementation and Post-Disaster Needs Assessment 
• Previous experience in data collection and consolidation and in developing database 
• Previous experience in conduction of Post-Disaster Needs Assessment 
• Previous experience in conducting PDNA in Myanmar and/or in the ASEAN region will be considered an asset 

English language skills: 

• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Knowledge of Myanmar language will be considered an asset