National consultant – preparation of a manual for implementation of the risk and hazard assessment

Background

The project seeks to strengthen disaster and climate risk assessment capacities and identify priorities at the national level to inform country disaster risk and climate risk management strategies and program development. This will be done through preparation of a comprehensive Disaster and Risk Assessment, creation of a web-based software application and disaster risk maps. In parallel, actions will be taken at the local level to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen capacities to manage disaster and climate risks at local levels.

The general responsibility of the Crisis Management Centre (CMC) to coordinate disaster risk reduction through prevention, early warning and response activities at both the central and local levels makes it a best entry point for the project to effectively enhance the operational and technical capacities of the Crisis Management System in the country. Additionally, the CMC is responsible for preparation of the Integrated Assessment of all risks and hazards for purposes of planned, timely and coordinated decision-making, provision of guidance and recommendations for prevention and response to disasters and accidents. Consequently in January 2011 the Government adopted the Regulation on the methodology for preparation of the assessment from all risks and hazards (Official Gazette of RM, No. 13/2011). The Assessment is a document that is integrating knowledge, recommendations and conclusions of the responsible state institutions that are in charge for different assessment of different risks and hazards on national and local levels. Also, it is a foundation for planning of the preparedness and response of the institutions from the crisis management system.

The Assessment as a document providing qualitative and quantitative analysis of data on all disaster and climate-related risks and hazards represents the basis for development of possible response strategies and scenarios and a possibility for planning of concrete measures and activities toward preventive and reactive action of the responsible institutions and entities. Such an established process represents the basis for efficient management of all disaster and climate-related risks within the frames of the crisis management system of the country.

Objectives

The objective of this assignment is preparation of a Manual for implementation of risks and hazards assessments for the national and local institutions responsible for caring out assessments (the Manual) as per the Article 7 from the Regulation on the methodology for preparation of the assessment from all risks and hazards (Official Gazette of RM, No. 13/2011).

This Manual shall be a basis for development of an internal procedure within the CMC that shall facilitate the process for preparation of the assessment, shall ensure identical approach in the risks assessment process and identical understanding of the specific items of the content. Through this, uniform approach in the preparation of the local risk and hazard assessments (84 municipalities and the City of Skopje) and the national risk and hazard assessment (the Country) shall be achieved.

Tasks

Under the supervision of the UNDP Project Manager, the Consultant shall be responsible for following:

- Review the project document, institutional and legal framework of the crisis management system in the country.

- Review the risk and hazard assessment framework, especially the Law on crisis management and the Regulation on the methodology for preparation of the assessment from all risks and hazards (Official Gazette of RM, No. 13/2011).

- Prepare a draft-version of the Manual for implementation of the risks and hazards assessments for the national and local institutions responsible for caring out assessments and submit to UNDP for approval.

- Prepare a final version of the Manual for implementation of the risks and hazards assessments for the national and local institutions responsible for caring out assessments and submit to UNDP for approval.

- Present the Manual for implementation of the risks and hazards assessments for the national and local institutions responsible for caring out assessments to the CMC and other relevant stakeholders.

Deliverables of the report

The main output shall be the Manual for implementation of the risks and hazards assessments for the national and local institutions responsible for caring out assessments. It should present an analytical and operational tool detailing the scope of the content and structure of the Assessment that is presented in the Regulation.

Competencies

- Knowledge of the Macedonian crisis management system;
- Good presentation and communication skills, sense of initiative;
- Planning and organizational skills;

Required skills and experience

- University degree in the thematic areas relevant to the assignment (social sciences, security studies, natural sciences). Advanced university is an asset;
- At least 7 years working experience in areas relevant for the assignment (crisis management, strategic planning, security affairs);
- Previous experience in preparation of security or risks assessments, and/or comprehensive reports, and/or strategic plans, etc.
- Previous experience in projects from crisis management/human development/strategic planning/security affairs areas;
- Knowledge of the Macedonian crisis management system;
- Good presentation and communication skills, sense of initiative;
- Planning and organizational skills;
- Full working knowledge of English.