Disaster management curriculum adviser

Overview of organisation & assignment

The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (formerly Camarines Sur State Agricultural College) is an institution of higher learning focussed on instruction, research, production and enterprise development. The university plays a key role in regional and national development through contributing to food security environmental and agricultural related learning and research.

Overview of the program:

The university is positioning itself as the centre for disaster risk reduction and management in Bicol and in the whole of the Philippines. Currently, CBSUA is the only university offering a master’s program in disaster risk management (DRM) in the country. Not surprisingly, given the frequency of natural disasters in the Philippines, there is a significant demand for the course.

The CBSUA DRM program commenced in June 2008 with the aim of enhancing and professionalising DRM practice in the country. Currently, the university is focussed on developing the technical capacity of faculty educators across the entire cycle of DRM including disaster risk mitigation, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The graduate faculty is supported by a DRM expert through UNDP and also, during the initial program implementation period, an expert from the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Office (APSEMO). Notwithstanding this technical support, the development and enhancement of master’s level study in DRM is a substantial endeavour and there is need for additional contributions from an Australian volunteer with suitable experience.

Overview of the assignment:

The volunteer will help review and assess the existing Diploma in DRM and Master of Science in DRM programs and identify areas for improvement. The volunteer will then work with faculty staff to develop the curriculum and provide training to the educators in delivering the course. While the entire cycle of DRM is a focus, particular attention will provided to the mitigation, prevention and preparedness end of the spectrum.

Additionally the university is also keen to develop a quick response team, comprising faculty and student volunteers to be trained to provide early response activities in the event of a disaster. The volunteer will also assist in setting up this team.

Expected outcomes and key relationships

The key expected outcomes are:

• Development of the Disaster Risk Management graduate courses (diploma and master’s level)
• Training of educators in disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness
• Development of a quick response team in the university

Capacity building outcomes:

• Improved DRM capacity of the university and its educators and strengthened curriculum
• Strengthened learning outcomes for DRM students
• Improved capacity of the university faculty and students to respond to disasters

Volunteer’s supervisor

• Director, Institutional Planning, Resource Generation and Linkages

Counterpart / other staff

• Dean, Graduate School

Volunteer requirements

Essential

• Personal attributes · Self-awareness and cross-cultural sensitivity

- Commitment to sharing knowledge and skills
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Resilience and ability to manage stress
- Ability to cope with a standard of living different to that of Australia
- Willingness to work with limited resources within a challenging and tropical environment

• Skills or experience relevant to assignment

- Experience in developing training programs and education materials
- Experience in disaster management, particularly in implementing community based disaster risk reduction strategies (such as community education and awareness programs)

• Qualifications

- Qualifications in disaster management, community development OR equivalent professional experience

Any further attributes, experience, skills or qualifications that are desirable

• Patience and willingness to learn and adapt to local culture and practices
• First aid certificate
• Experience teaching or tutoring at university level
• Experience within a disaster response team

Location and facilities

Pili is a major municipality and the capital town of the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. It is the second largest municipality of Camarines Sur. It is politically subdivided into 46 barangays (villages). According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 76,496 people.

Pili has the major airport of the province and is a well developed town with access to numerous restaurants, shops, accommodation options, banks and recreational facilities. It is located in the centre of the province.

The volunteer will be based at the university, which contains the appropriate resources for the assignment including access to internet, phone, fax and other office supplies.

Camarines Sur has rich and fertile rice lands (which is the main agricultural activity of the province) and claims to be famous for having the world’s smallest edible fish!

Support mechanisms

• Quarterly review with the In-Country Manager
• Will be invited to attend team meetings with school staff and faculty
• Will function as a part of the faculty of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA)