Closing date:

Consultant for harmonization of the training curriculum

Organization:
ActionAid - Bangladesh

This job posting has closed

Background

European Commission Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection– DG ECHO has set up disaster risk reduction program to improve the capacities of communities at risk to better prepare and protect themselves. These program interventions are designed as pilot strategies for their region: their impact is multiplied when the strategies are systematically integrated into long-term development projects.

In Bangladesh, European Commission is supporting a project under the Sixth Action Plan which is being carried out by the NARRI Consortium. National Alliance for Risk Reduction and Response Initiatives (NARRI) is a national level consortium consisting of six leading INGOs working in Bangladesh for increasing community capacity, awareness and skills to reduce disaster risks. The NARRI partners are ActionAid Bangladesh, Concern Universal, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB and Plan International. In addition, Handicap International (HI) and HelpAge International (HAI) are working as technical partners to mainstream issues of persons with disabilities and elderly people respectively. All these pioneers in the DRR sector are working in the most disaster-prone areas across the country with a multi-hazard approach covering both rural and urban areas.

Bangladesh is one of the few countries in the world, which is highly vulnerable to different types of disasters. In the last thirty years there has been more than 225 natural disasters killing more than 2,000,000 people and affecting more than 300 million people. The Government of Bangladesh through the Disaster Management Bureau is mandated to build the capacities of various stakeholders for disaster risk reduction. Different agencies like international and local level NGO are also working on the same issue. Based on a study conducted by the CDMP, it was found out that different agencies are building the capacities of key stakeholders based on the modules and reference materials designed by them. There has been little congruence between conducted provided by different organizations. This has led to differential capacity building of different stakeholders.

In order to streamline the whole process, the Disaster Management Bureau is in the process of harmonizing capacity building initiatives being carried out by various agencies. The first step towards is the standardization of curriculum, training modules and develop a set of trainers based on the designed curriculum and training modules. The current assignment seeks agencies to come out with a harmonized training curriculum for Disaster Management Committee Members focusing on their roles and responsibilities.

The rationale for harmonization 

In the light of formation of around 6000 DMCs at various levels, which are an interface between the government and the community for issues related with disaster risk reduction and response, it becomes imperative to ensure that the DMCs have required knowledge and capacities to fulfill its roles and responsibilities.

Amidst the proliferation of capacity building initiatives there has been no set norm of what the DRR/CCA is all about, what the minimum standards of knowledge, skills and attitude associated with it and how that should be imparted to new learners and practitioners. Consequently there is the plethora or interpretations of what the DRR/CCA subject matters are; no yardstick to measure the coherence and consistence of the capacity building practices and the lack of knowledge management feedback loop to facilitate the refinement of the practices. The net result is a DRR/CCA field of practice that is unruly and produces inconsistent and unpredictable results and thus making it near impossible to promote and safeguard the public welfare and safety against the low quality or even erroneous DRR/CCA practices and services. The most problematic of all is that there is no assurance that DMCs officials and members are sufficiently trained and even if they do, the assurance of the quality and sustainability of the training. There is no viable coordination platform to facilitate the synergy between the government and non government proponents of the capacity building of the DMCs.

There are various types of training materials developed and being using by many organization to improve skills and knowledge of the relevant actors. But process, contents, duration & methodology of the training are different from issues to issues, organizations to organizations. Due to unavailability of the list of the resource materials, it was not possible to harmonize and ensure that the collective similar messages are being delivered to the community and the DMCs to enrich their knowledge and skills. The process is also hindering different level target audience to get complete, updated and synchronized information to manage their risk & vulnerability.

The purpose of this training curriculum is to ensure that various capacity building inputs for the Disaster Management Committees are taken up in such a way that there is coherence between it. Harmonization also sets a minimum standard for training for the DMC members.

Content of the training curriculum 

The training curriculum will comprise of the overall curriculum focusing on a particular issue. Based on the curriculum, three types of training modules viz, basic, advanced and adjunct modules will be involved. The basic training module will focus on the essential capacity building inputs to be provided to the target audience in form of raising their awareness level. The advanced training module will be for the group of target audience who has already completed the basic training module and is ready to take up higher level of capacity building inputs. The adjunct training module will be optional in nature and will be focusing on special issues that can be provided as per the needs of the target audience.

Expected deliverables for the DMC training curriculum 

• Standard curriculum for the DMCs differentiated by the DMCs’ level and training types
• Standard principal, optional, and reference modules for the DMCs capacity building
• A document focusing on the importance of the study, key challenges and way forward (not more than 10 pages)
• A power point presentation in English on the assignment 

Expected deliverables and methodologies

• Consultative meeting with Disaster Management Bureau and other key stakeholders to fine tune the outcome of the assignment
• Review secondary literature on capacity building of the Disaster Management Committee.
• Consultation with the primary stakeholders at the field level

Funding contribution

• European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO): 85%
• NARRI consortium members: 15 %

Withdrawal/termination 

This agreement shall be effective between dates mentioned in agreement, unless otherwise earlier terminated. The NARRI Secretariat may terminate this agreement with immediate effect on occurrence of any irregularities, anomalies relating to project implementation and non-compliance of any terms and conditions as agreed upon in this agreement. In the event of a major natural disaster, war or major civil or political unrest this agreement may be renegotiated and jointly revised between the two parties recognizing any consequent change in the environment for implementation. 

Competence required 

• Excellent technical knowledge and proven working experience on Disaster Risk Reduction
• Excellent understanding of Bangladesh context
• Good understanding on capacity building related with DRR for key stakeholders
• Established working relationship with DMB, DMRD and CDMP
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience on conducting similar nature of assignment
• Relevant academic background
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, communication and reporting skills
• Fluent in English and Bengali

Supervision

The external consultant shall be under the supervision of the Consortium Manager, NARRI Secretariat in close coordination with DIPECHO managers.

Confidentiality

The above mentioned outputs or any part of it can’t be sold in any manner, but can be used or reproduced by the assigned organization/individual with proper acknowledgment of DG ECHO and NARRI.

Miscellaneous

• All the terms & conditions of this agreement are binding upon the parties and once executed this agreement no provision of this agreement can be questioned.
• After the termination of the project, all rights described in this agreement will automatically be transferred to an organization designated by NARRI.
• Any modification and amendment to the present agreement shall be made in writing with the consent of both the parties.
• Both parties assume that this assignment does not go against the rules and regulations of the Government of Bangladesh.
• This agreement shall be subject to Bangladeshi Law. Jurisdiction shall be Dhaka. Before undertaking legal steps the parties shall enter into discussion in order to find an acceptable settlement of such dispute by direct negotiation.

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