About the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center:

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is an autonomous international organization established for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes with a vision of safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific.

Established in 1986 as a technical capacity-building center, ADPC has grown and diversified its expertise across social and physical sciences to support sustainable solutions for risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas. With over 100 staff from 19 different nationalities and a wide range of professional expertise from atmospheric scientists to social scientists with experiences from all levels of engagement typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) in an effective manner. ADPC has six strategic themes supported by seven departments: the ADPC Academy, Risk Governance, Climate Resilience, Urban Resilience, Health Risk Management, Preparedness for Response and Recovery, and Geospatial Information. These are supported by Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Strategic Planning departments. In addition to the departments, ADPC also works on three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Diversity, Poverty and Livelihoods, and Regional and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees.

ADPC Strategy 2020 guides the organization in providing comprehensive risk reduction support to countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC recognizes the importance of examining the linkages between disaster risk management, poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainability, rights-based approaches, climate change, and regional cooperation. For details, please refer to the ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net/

Department Introduction:

The Preparedness for Response and Recovery (PRR) Department of ADPC focuses on enhancing the preparedness and response management capacities of governments, response organizations, volunteers, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, communities, and other traditional and non-traditional actors of the Disaster Risk Management Ecosystem. It also strives to strengthen the capacity of institutions and at-risk communities for faster and more efficient disaster recovery. The department works with the above-stated actors to ensure that the regional, national, sub-national, and local disaster preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks and implementation plans are in place well before disaster strikes.

Purpose and Objectives:

ADPC is co-implementing and facilitating Phase 2 of the Bangladesh Preparedness Partnership under the overall leadership and guidance of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), Bangladesh. BPP is an innovative partnership instrumental in supporting the Government of Bangladesh in leading and operationalizing its flagship policy of SOD 2019 through a multi-stakeholder partnership model. Phase 2 of the BPP will strengthen the multi-stakeholder partnership platform at the national and sub-national levels, building operational and technical capacities, research applications, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms.

The main focus of BPP is the operationalization of SOD2019 as per the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) mandate. Bangladesh has introduced the establishment and functioning of the Disaster Management Fund at the district level as per the provision of the Disaster Management Act 2012 (Chapter 4 and Section 32.1-32.9). However, the district disaster management fund is not either activated or not well functioning.

As per the requirement of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) as the lead of the Bangladesh Preparedness Partnership (BPP), the program has taken the initiative to conduct a study on the District Disaster Management Fund to know the current status, of identify the gaps and develop a proposal with concrete recommendations to make the fund functional. The study report is to be submitted to the policymaker for activation of the district disaster management fund.

ADPC seeks a consultant to conduct an evidence-based study and develop a proposal to improve the activation of the District Disaster Management fund in three working districts of Bangladesh such as Kurigram, Bagerhat, and Bandarban.

The overall objectives of this study are to (i) Identify the scopes, challenges, and way forward and field-level study (ii) prepare a Proposal for the District-level Disaster Management Fund Operationalization (iii) dissemination of the updated study recommendations to sensitize the stakeholders at the district level and (iv) submit the proposal to the policymaker for implementation.

The study will contribute to the effective implementation of Standing Orders on Disasters (SOD) 2019 addressing the provisions of the District Disaster Management Fund stated in the Disaster Management Act 2012 of Bangladesh.

Expected Outputs:

The consultant will work closely with the program team, sectoral focal points from BPP partners, relevant stakeholders The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), respective District Administration and District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO).

Responsibilities and Tasks: The following are the indicative responsibilities and tasks illustrated to complete the assignment but not limited to.

• Desk Research: Conduct desk research to understand the existing provisions and identify the strengths, gaps, and scope of work on the District Disaster Management Fund.
• Finalizing Methodologies and Tools: Finalizing the methodologies and tools for conducting the study at national and local levels through consultation with key stakeholders/BPP sectoral partners.
• Conducting Study: Conduct the field interviews at national and local levels.
• Preparing Technical Report: Preparing draft report and sharing it with the program team for technical review and inputs.
• Sharing the draft report with stakeholders to validate: Conducting multi-sectoral stakeholder meetings to disseminate the findings and collect feedback
• Finalizing the technical report: Finalizing the study report in printable format incorporating comments in Bangla and English.
• Preparing proposal: Developing a proposal stating clear findings and recommendations for activating the District DM fund in three working districts in consultation with Ministry.
• Submission of proposal: Drafted proposal to be submitted to the Ministry for approval and further action.

Working Principles:

The consultant will work closely with the Senior Project Manager based in Dhaka and the Project Management Specialist based in Bangkok, Thailand, under the overall guidance of the Director of preparedness for Response and Recovery.

The consultant will report to the Senior Project Manager based in Dhaka for day-to-day coordination.

Qualifications:
Education and Expertise:

• A master’s degree in Public Policy and Planning, Information Management Systems, International Development, Disaster Management, Emergency Management, Urban and Rural Planning, Public Administration, or any other relevant university degree. Ph.D. is desirable.
• At least ten years of experience in working with national and international organizations; Working in the Disaster Management field will be an added advantage.
• Extensive expertise, knowledge, and experience in the field of Disaster Information Management, emergency preparedness and response, multi-sectoral engagement in DRR, and institutional strengthening and policy formulation;
• Knowledge and understanding of the disaster management ecosystem of Bangladesh, baseline and capacity assessments, and functioning of emergency preparedness system, climate financing, Disaster Fund Management in the South Asian Region, specifically in Bangladesh;
• Excellent English language skills, both oral and written;
• Proven working experience with national and local level government agencies such as the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), District, Upazila, Municipalities and Unions, Disaster Management Committees and multi-sectoral stakeholders in the Asian region.

Personal Qualities:

• Self-motivated, proactive, and ability to meet deadlines;
• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize work and time independently;
• Verbal and written communication skills in English and Bangla are essential;
• Excellent writing and communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience working in a multicultural environment;
• Works well in a team;
• Demonstrated facilitation and coordination experience;
• Work in a diversified, multi-dimensional, and changing environment

General Requirements:

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

Duty Station: Home based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with field missions to program districts as required.

Duration: October 2024 – January 2025

Itinerary: To be finalized in consultation with the program team.