Disaster Management Consultant, Lao PDR (LAOS NATIONALS ONLY)

About Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), established in 1986, is a non-profit, autonomous, regional organization, international in status and non-political in management, staffing, and operations. The ADPC has been established for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes that work to build the resilience of people and institutions to disasters and climate change impacts in Asia and the Pacific region. The ADPC has more than 34 years of working experience in Asia along with the national and local Governments of its founding charter member countries as well as countries of the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) on Disaster Management. The ADPC works to strengthen disaster risk reduction at all levels, from regional to national, sub-national, and even to community levels. Further details on the ADPC and its programs can be found at www.adpc.net. The ADPC, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (the Foundation) and United States Agency for International Development, Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID BHA), has been implementing the ‘Asian Preparedness Partnership’ (APP). The APP is a unique multi-stakeholder partnership formed with representation from the Government, Local Humanitarian Networks, and Private Sector Networks from the six countries, namely, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Sri Lanka. The APP strives to improve the interface and partnership between the Government, Local Humanitarian Organizations, and the Private Sector Networks for enhancing capacities through partnerships, knowledge resources, and south- south exchange, training, and networking opportunities. Further information on APP can be found at https://app.adpc.net/

Background

Through consultation between the ADPC and relevant partners, the ADPC has identified an opportunity to establish a multi-stakeholder platform in Lao PDR by adapting the APP model. In this context, it aims to bring together relevant stakeholders from the government, non-profit associations (NPA), and the private sector network in the country to strengthen multi-stakeholder cooperation between the different stakeholders on areas relevant to disaster preparedness and response. This initiative, as part of the wider APP approach, will be supported through the project on “Strengthening Preparedness for Emergency Response through Multi- Stakeholder Cooperation in Southeast Asia” funded by the BMGF and USAID/BHA.

Statement of Intent

The Preparedness for Response and Recovery Department (PRR) of the ADPC is implementing the aforementioned project in Lao PDR as one of the project target countries. The Consultant will be responsible for leading the planning and implementation of project activities at the national and sub-national levels in Safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction. Page | 2 close coordination and consultation with respective partners from the Government, NPA (Local NGO) groups, Private Sector Networks in Lao PDR as well as the project team in Bangkok. This consultant position is open for Laos Nationals only. This is a full-time position and the Consultant will be based in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Note: It is not the intent of this Terms of Reference to cover every aspect of the position requirements, rather to highlight the most important areas of personal and joint responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a focal person for the project at the country level for coordination with Government, NPAs/ civil society groups, Private Sector Networks and other stakeholder agencies;
• Coordinate with the project team in ADPC HQ in implementing the project activities on a regular basis;
• Regularly coordinate with the government, NPAs/ civil society groups and the Private sector focal points for forming the national preparedness platform represented by all three sectors, and planning and implementing the activities for strengthening local capacities for preparedness for response based on the project work-plan;
• Facilitate the process of developing the governance structure of the national preparedness platform and Country Roadmap for promoting localization through strengthening multi-stakeholder partnership for preparedness for emergency response in Lao PDR;
• Assist in developing/adapting training curriculum required according to local needs and review training designand training materials for capacity building & training programs being implemented;
• Serve as a facilitator/resource person for the capacity building activities under the project at the national and sub-national levels;
• Provide technical support in other project activities, including but not limited to simulation guideline development, adaptation of toolkits for assessing humanitarian standards and engagement of local actors developed under APP regional activities, and knowledge management & promotion of learning among thestakeholders;
• Manage the south-south knowledge management and exchange component of the project for the country, and provide necessary support in south-south knowledge management activities under overall APP initiative in coordination with other members of ADPC program team and in-country Managers in APP focus countries;
• Review the activity reports and technical documents developed by consultants and coordinate with the consultants for timely submissionof the reports required to the national partners and the ADPC HQ;
• Manage the day-to-day local project activities and oversee the financial management;
• Conduct monitoring of project activities and prepare progress reports required to the national partners and the ADPC HQ;
• Represent ADPC at relevant coordination meetings as needed and provide assistance in increasing the project outreach through development of new projects/programmes, engagementin advocacy, assistance in leveraging support from other organizations and fund mobilization at the country level;
• Perform other relevant tasks as assigned by the PRR Director and Project Manager.

Qualifications and Experience

The Candidate should at least have:

• An advanced university degree (at least Masters) in Disaster Risk Management, Public Policy, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, or any other related fields is essential.
• At least 10 years of proven experience in project management and coordination, and capacity building programs on related topics such as Emergency Management or Disaster Risk Management.
• Proven experience in Emergency Response Management such as scenario based contingency planning, incident command system development, application of specific technical information and Safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction.
• Familiarity and at least 5 years of experience of working with the Provincial/National Governments in the field of Disaster Risk Management or Climate Change in Lao PDR.
• Experience in working with Humanitarian NGOs or international organizations in similar programs.
• Knowledge of working ethics of national or state government agencies, international NGOs/NPAs, private organizations, and international organizations would be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication skills in English and local languages.

Personal Qualities:

• Self-motivated, pro-active, and take initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize work and time independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience in working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Strong networking capacity and understanding of development work at local, national, and regional levels.
• Strong desires to learn, undertake new challenges, must be a creative problem-solver, and have self- confidence, willingness to work hard, good sense of humor, but with seriousness about the quality and excellence of work.

General Requirements

• Operate within all ADPC Guidelines & Procedures/ Policies;
• Operate within specific program needs.

Reporting Relationships

Under the overall guidance of the Director, PRR, the Consultant will report to the following managers for day to day reporting/work: - Project Manager of “the “Strengthening Preparedness for Emergency Response through Multi- Stakeholder Cooperation in Southeast Asia” project - Work closely with Program Lead of the APP Program - Work closely with other staff in of ADPC as required.