UNDP Jobs - 69364- Re advertisement-Disaster Loss and Damage Informat

Re advertisement-Disaster Loss and Damage Information System National Consultant

Location :

Kampala with Visits to Relevant Districts, UGANDA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

29-Sep-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

*The candidates who have previously applied to this position need not to reapply

Disasters are, for many Ugandans, an all too common occurrence. In the last decade alone, Uganda has experienced over 2,500 disaster events, causing death, destruction and lost opportunities. Over 70 per cent of natural hazards in Uganda are related to extreme hydro-meteorological events such as droughts, floods, severe thunder and lightning storms, among others. The impact this has had on the economy has been considerable, with a reduction in GDP of 3.5 percent on average from 2010 to 2014, according to the World Bank. While over half the country is vulnerable to drought, and a third to floods, communities along the fragile dryland cattle corridor, mountainous regions and informal urban settlements are at particular risk. It is estimated that 43 per cent of Ugandans could regress into poverty during shocks.[1]

Recurring small-scale and slow-onset disasters particularly affect communities, households and small and medium-sized agriculture-related enterprises, and constitute a high percentage of all losses. All countries – especially developing countries, where mortality and economic losses from natural disasters are disproportionately higher – are faced with increasing levels of hidden costs. However, until now all this goes largely unaccounted for despite its potential effects on national planning for disaster management. Moreover, even when farmers choose to take risk transfer options that make partial or complete compensation for the losses, it is mostly not reported and compensation is not commensurate with the value of the losses.

The national ‘Desinventar’ database[2] used to collect and analyze damages and losses is generic and not tailored to Uganda’s context. It does not provide enough flexibility to the Government of Uganda to configure it as per emerging needs and priorities of the country.

Objective of the consultancy:

UNDP is seeking to recruit a Project Associate to strengthen Uganda’s disaster and damage information system. Necessary support for strengthening the national disaster loss and damage information system will be provided by UNDP, including capacity development of relevant institutions and organizations for managing disaster data. The goal is to provide useful information and analysis based on the occurrences and impacts of the past disaster events to support policy and decision-making for preparedness, mitigation, response, and risk reduction. Appropriate linkages among existing institutions will be strengthened so as to ensure that data sharing across institutions is facilitated by the disaster management information system and the database provides inputs to support sustainable development in the country.

[1] Government of Uganda. Second National Development Plan (NDPII) 2015/16 – 2019/20. Kampala, 2015. Print.

[2] http://www.desinventar.net/DesInventar/profiletab.jsp?countrycode=uga

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work and methodology:

UNDP through the project “Supporting Developing Countries to Integrate the Agricultural Sectors into National Adaptation Plans” intends to recruit a Project Associate with the requisite expertise and experience to strengthen Uganda’s disaster and damage information system.

Summary of key functions:

Assess the availability of disaster-related data and identify gaps (source, format, data holder, consistency), and prepare a work plan for the strengthening of the disaster loss and damage information system;
Collect historical disaster data from identified national, district, and local entities and strengthen the disaster loss and damage information system at the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Centre;
Organize learning and knowledge sharing events on the information system for key stakeholders in close collaboration with UNDP and with guidance from the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries;
Lead the analysis of disaster data to assist in identifying vulnerable areas to various disasters in the country to inform policy and to support decision-making;
Present the resultant information in packages that are easy for different ministries/stakeholders to use in the different fields of operation.

Assess the availability of disaster-related data and identify gaps, and prepare a work plan for the strengthening of the disaster loss and damage information system:

Familiarize with the DesInventar tool (a disaster information management system open source software);
Support the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Centre in the assessment of the technical capability, requirements and needs regarding the setup of a disaster loss and damage information system;
Liaise with the Office of the Prime Minister, key line ministries and Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries on data, standard data collection formats and collection procedures acceptable for collection and compilation of disaster related data;
Based on the consultation and information collected from stakeholders, develop a report which includes a detailed stakeholder map, information needs and work plan for building the disaster loss and damage information system.

Collect historical disaster data from identified national, district, and local entities and strengthen the disaster loss and damage information system at the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Centre:

Based on the consultation with the Prime Minister and Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and inputs from key stakeholders, strengthen the existing disaster loss and damage information system to meet the needs and disaster context of Uganda;
Strengthen the information system using appropriate data hosting infrastructure and services;
Undertake pilot collection of disaster data and develop a strategy for collection of disaster data from various agencies for the entire country;
Lead and supervise collection and entry of disaster data in the information system as per agreed protocols and procedures with appropriate quality control and data validation system.

Organize learning and knowledge sharing events on the information system for key stakeholders in close collaboration with UNDP and with guidance from the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries:

Support organization of technical training workshop under the direct guidance of UNDP for key stakeholders on the disaster loss and damage information system;
Lead the technical training for various stakeholder groups at national and sub-national levels;
Develop necessary knowledge products (such as manuals, how-to guides, data collection formats) to promote learning.

Lead the analysis of disaster data to assist in identifying vulnerable areas to various disasters in the country to inform policy and to support decision-making:

Support the analysis of data to help identify the most disaster prone areas in Uganda;
Plan launch of the findings of the analysis with wider group of stakeholders to ensure its usage by all;
Retrieve and provide user specific data from the information system and make it available to those who need it at national and sub-national levels;
Institutionalize the information system within the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Centre with adequate staff capacity and skills for maintaining and updating the system.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to the UN’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; and
Ability to maintain effective rapport with different kinds of people.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Strong analytical skills and the ability to master new material quickly;
Ability to manage priorities in order to meet tight deadlines;
Good communications, interpersonal and report writing skills;
Creativity and innovation abilities.

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Ability to manage the work of teams, subordinates and consultants;
Proven ability to work flexibly and independently as part of an interdisciplinary and/or multi-cultural team; and delivery quality results against tight deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

Bachelor or equivalent degree in information Technology or Informatics is preferred;
Knowledge on Disaster Management and Statistics is an advantage.

Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in setting up and maintaining information management systems;
Knowledge of Java, web based applications and relational database will be an advantage;
Experience of working with government institutions is desirable.

Language requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English.

Deliverables:

Assessment of the technical capability, requirements and needs undertaken- within 4 weeks of engagement;
Standard data collection formats and data collection procedures established- within 4 weeks of engagement;
Report, including a detailed work plan for strengthening the disaster loss and damage information system submitted- within 4 weeks of engagement;
Information system using appropriate data hosting infrastructure and services identified- within 4 weeks of engagement;
Within 8 weeks of engagement -Strategy for collection of disaster data from various sectors developed;
Within 12 weeks of engagement- Collection of disaster data piloted;
Within 16 weeks of engagement- Technical training for various stakeholder groups at national and sub-national levels held;
Within 20 weeks of engagement- Based on analysis, disaster prone areas in Uganda launched;
Within 24 weeks of engagement- Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures for information system in place.

At the completion of the Project Associate’s assignment, the overall result is the customization of the national damage and loss database, housed and managed by the Office of the Prime Minister in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries:

Specifically, the Project Associate will ensure:

Indicators on agriculture-related damage and losses due to the impacts of disasters and climatic events are included and integrated into the data base;
The DesInventar database is transferred to the NECOC server housed within OPM;
The database is contextualized to Uganda’s needs;
National and sub-national capacities for supporting the operations of the database (collection, analysis, and dissemination) in place; and
Analysis of the database to derive high-risk areas based on the past disaster events is in place.

Working Arrangements:

Institutional Arrangement:

The Project Associate will work under the guidance of a senior officials of the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. S/he will work in close collaboration with officials at the National Emergency Operations and Coordination Centre (NECOC) and will seek technical guidance from UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH), Thailand for planning and implementation of the activities. Within UNDP Country Office, the Disaster Risk Management Advisor, the Information Management Specialist, and the Climate Change Programme Officer will provide the overall supervision and monitoring of the Project Associate’s performance, as well as assisting in the coordination and contact with relevant stakeholders.

Duration of the Work:

The assignment is expected to take a period of 6 months in accordance with the scope of work and indicative period for submission of draft reports above.

Duty Station:

Kampala with visits to relevant districts.

Price Proposal and schedule of payments:

A lump sum payment, in six tranches, shall be made upon successful completion and certification of work done as indicated in this Terms of Reference. Payment is based on the consultant submitting a detailed monthly progress report against the agreed milestones, as agreed in the inception report, and a final report at the completion of the assignment.

15% Upon submission of an inception report, with detailed work plan for the assignment. Completion of the following expected milestones include:

Assessment of the technical capability, requirements and needs undertaken;
Standard data collection formats and data collection procedures established;
Report, including a detailed work plan for strengthening the disaster loss and damage information system submitted; and
Information system using appropriate data hosting infrastructure and services identified.

15% Upon submission of detailed progress report. Completion of the following expected milestone includes:

Strategy for collection of disaster data from various sectors developed

15% Upon submission of detailed progress report. Completion of the following expected milestone includes:

Collection of disaster data piloted.

15% Upon submission of detailed progress report. Completion of the following expected milestone includes:

Technical training for various stakeholder groups at national and sub-national levels held.

15% Upon submission of detailed progress report. Completion of the following expected milestone includes:

Based on analysis, disaster prone areas in Uganda launched.

25% Upon submission of final report. Completion of the following expected milestone includes:

Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures for information system in place.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Cumulative analysis:

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and;

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 candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria – Maximum 70 points:

Criteria:

Relevant degree – 15;
Previous experience in disaster management and statistics - 10;
A minimum of 5 years relevant experience - 20;
Knowledge of Java, web based applications and relational database – 5;
Previous experience working with government institutions – 5;
Demonstrated skills in communication and facilitation - 15.

Application Procedure:

he candidate is required to submit an electronic application directly uploaded on the UNDP jobs website with all the requirements as listed here below. Annexes and further information may be downloaded on http://procurement-notices.undp.org/. (Reference #34015).

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document to this website - http://jobs.undp.org (Ref no.69364).

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II);
Personal CV, 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.

Technical proposal:

Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment;
Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (Annex II);
Annexes 1 and II - may be downloaded from the UNDP Procurement Notices Website -http://procurement-notices.undp.org/ - under reference #34015. For further clarifications, please contact; janet.anyango@undp.org; moses.lutwama@undp.org;

Interested applicants should submit applications through uploading of all their required documentation in one single pdf document on this website only.