Background

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is the United Nations office responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. UNOOSA serves as the Secretariat of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and is also responsible for implementing the United Nations Programme on Space Applications and the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER).

 

The current assignment is related to the UN-SPIDER Programme Office based in Beijing which primarily focuses on Asia but also contributes to the work in the Pacific and Africa since 2011. The following are the mandates of the UN-SPIDER Beijing Office:

  1. Technical Advisory Support Asia, the Pacific and support Africa
  2. Outreach – International and regional conference/workshops
  3. Capacity building
  4. Support during emergencies
  5. Contribute to knowledge portal www.un-spider.org (which is managed by UN-SPIDER Bonn office)

 

The UN-SPIDER is supporting the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) since 2011 and an expert from UN-SPIDER visited of Sri Lanka in 2019. After consultation with DMC and other stakeholders, the expert created a geospatial dashboard. The dashboard identifies indicators of the Sendai Framework that can be supported by Earth observation data and compiles key data sources available in the public domain and within Government agencies in Sri Lanka. This dashboard is available through the following link:

https://public.tableau.com/profile/unspiderbeijing#!/vizhome/SpatialRepositoryforSendaiFrameworkMonitoringintheSAARCRegion/Story1

 

The next step is to collect the data needed for monitoring targets of the Sendai Framework are available and feed it in the dashboard. The experience from Sri Lanka may be taken by preparing an improved dashboard to the South Asia region through ongoing cooperation between the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Disaster Management Centre and the Office for Outer Space Affairs.

For more information on UNOOSA and UN-SPIDER, please visit our websites: www.un-spider.org and www.unoosa.org.

 

 

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES   

Sri Lanka, a signatory of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework), requested the assistance of UN-SPIDER to support preparation of baseline information for reporting the Sendai Framework. Archives of Earth observation data covering the period of Hyogo framework (2005-2015), in combination with socio-economic and other in-situ data, provide past records of hazards and vulnerability to determine risks needed for disaster risk management. It also provides data on disaster events happened in past years. Thus, compiling spatial databases would provide baseline needed for monitoring and facilitating implementation of Sendai Framework.

The consultant will be based at the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), of the Ministry of Defense, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head, UN-SPIDER Beijing Office and overall supervision of the Director, UNOOSA, the tasks will include, but be not limited to the following:

  1. Update the desk review done in 2019 by the DMC and UN-SPIDER of existig data sources from end users (government departments, research institutions, the private sector and NGOs) and publicly available daat (satelite data, socioeconomic data, hazard information etc.) and identify data gaps for the compilation of baseline database for reporting the Sendai framework. This will require the consultant to visit several stakeholders that generate geo-spatial information needed for disaster management in Sri Lanka;
  2. Work with the DMC to review the needs of geospatial data compilation;
  3. To develop a repository of all compiled data sources and prepare geospatial data for specific hazards (such as flood, landslide, drought) to support monitoring of indicators and targets of the Sendai Framework;
  4. To prepare a manual and outreach communication materials needed for such activities at the DMC
  5. To liaise with International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a regional support office of UN-SPIDER, to get guidance to strengthen the proposed tasks and use their research products based on mutual understanding.

 

Duration

The duration of the consultancy will be 5 Months.

 

Expected Output/Deliverables

  1. Inception report containing the overall work plan and sources of data/information;
  2. Compiled spatial data repository for Sri Lanka and disseminated through electronic media;
  3. Make manual and communication material available online.

 

Measurable Output(s)/Deliverable(s)

1. Expected tangible and measurable output(s)/deliverable(s)

A. Inception report;

B. Spatial data repository; and

C. Publications related to the products defined in section 4 (includes manual and communication products).

 

2. Dates and details of deliverables/payments:

Upon submission of the report with addressed comments from the UN-SPIDER, below are details of deliverables and dates:

  • 15 October 2020         Inception report indicating the plan of collecting data from stakeholders   and step by step creation of the spatial data repository in consultation with the DMC
  • 15 November 2020          Spatial data repository – Monthly progress report based on the inception report
  • 15 December 2020          Spatial data repository – Monthly progress report based on the inception report
  • 15 January 2021              Spatial data repository – Monthly progress report based on the inception report
  • 15 February 2021,           Spatial data repository – Monthly progress report based on the inception report
  • 28 Feruary 2021,             Final report

 

Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion and/or submission of deliverables.

 

Competencies

  • Comprehensiveness;
  • Timeliness;
  • Innovative ways to analyse gather information needed for the evaluation;
  • Quality of documentation; and
  • Communication with stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in natural sciences or engineering or similar in one or more areas of disaster management, geo-spatial technologies, earth observation, sustainable development etc.

 

Work experience:

3 years of professional experience in areas related to Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing, experience in the application of earth observation and space technologies in disaster management. Skills in using GIS and satellite data processing software are desirable.

 

Languages:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

 

Other skills (desirable): 

Experience of working with GIS and remote sensing data and software programmes.

 

HOW TO APPLY

To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should contain:

  • Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.
  • Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR
  • Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP.
  • Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: consultants.lk@undp.org  stating the vacancy number/position  in the subject line.

 

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL   

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (_______________________________________)

Or

All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR (_____________________________________)

Amount in words: (Rs._________________________________________________________)

 

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

 

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided.  Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts. 

 

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on milestones certified by Head of UN-SPIDER Beijing office.

Upon submission of the report with addressed comments from the UN-SPIDER, Payment Milestones will be as follows: .

15 October 2020      10% installment

15 November 2020   20% installment

15 December 2020   20% installment

15 January 2021       20% installment

15 February 2021     20% installment

28 February 2021     10% installment