Short-Term Consultant for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Training

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Short-Term Consultant for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Training

Background:

Action for Nepal (AF Nepal), a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering development in Nepal’s remote communities, has partnered with the Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF) to promote health, education, and local empowerment in the Solukhumbu and Bajhang districts. Over the past nine years, AF Nepal has focused on improving maternal and child health by enhancing access to and utilization of healthcare resources. These efforts align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

The regions where AF Nepal operates are prone to disasters. To address these risks, incorporating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) training into ward-level activities is critical. Such training is also a requirement of the Minimum Service Standards (MSS) for health posts, which mandate disaster reduction orientation for health workers every six months. To ensure sustainability, AF Nepal plans to develop local-level trainers, including ward chairs, health post in-charges, health section, and DRR focal persons at the municipal and rural municipal levels. These trainers will facilitate ongoing orientations and establish ward-level DRR committees to strengthen local capacity for disaster preparedness and risk reduction.

Objective: The objectives of the consultancy are to develop local-level trainers in DRR, equipping ward chairs, health post in-charges, and DRR focal persons to conduct regular orientations for health workers in compliance with MSS. The consultant will prepare a comprehensive training manual tailored to the local context, focusing on community-based disaster management, preparedness, and response strategies. This initiative aims to strengthen disaster preparedness at the community level, enhance the capacity of health workers and local leaders to mitigate disaster risks, and institutionalize DRR training by forming or reactivating ward-level DRR committees. Furthermore, the consultancy seeks to promote the sustainability of DRR initiatives by establishing a robust framework for ongoing training and capacity building within the community, ensuring alignment with MSS requirements and the overall health system of Nepal.

Scope of Work:

The scope of work for the DRR Training Consultant includes the following key responsibilities:

• Training Program Design and Implementation
  • Develop a tailored DRR training program for local trainers, including ward chairs, health post in-charges, municipal health section and DRR focal persons.
  • Design interactive and practical sessions focusing on disaster preparedness, response, and management relevant to the local context.
  • Facilitate training sessions to build the capacity of participants, enabling them to conduct regular DRR orientations at the health facility.
• Preparation of Training Manual
  • Develop a user-friendly training manual incorporating community-based disaster management principles, MSS requirements, and localized disaster risks.
  • Include practical tools, visual aids, and guidelines to support effective training and orientation delivery.
• Support in Institutionalizing DRR Efforts
  • Provide technical guidance and capacity-building support to ensure these committees are prepared to integrate DRR into local health and development initiatives.
• Sustainability and Continuity Planning
  • Develop a framework for ongoing DRR training, ensuring compliance with MSS requirements and the continuity of capacity-building efforts.
  • Provide recommendations for sustaining DRR initiatives through local leadership and collaboration.
• Reporting and Recommendations
  • Document the outcomes of the training in a comprehensive report.
  • Provide actionable recommendations for sustaining and expanding DRR initiatives at the local level.

Deliverables:

• Tailored DRR training program developed for ward chairs, health post in-charges, municipal health sections, and DRR focal persons.
• Interactive training sessions conducted on disaster preparedness, response, and management specific to the local context, with participant evaluations included.
• User-friendly training manual created, integrating community-based disaster management principles, MSS requirements, practical tools, and visual aids.
• Technical guidance and action plans provided for integrating DRR into local initiatives.
• Sustainability framework developed for ongoing DRR training and capacity building, ensuring compliance with MSS and continuity of efforts.
• Comprehensive report documenting training outcomes, and actionable recommendations for sustaining and scaling DRR initiatives.

Duration: The consultancy is expected to be conducted over a period of 15 working days.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

1. Educational Background:

• Master’s Degree in Disaster Management or a related discipline.

2. Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in DRR training or managing DRR-related projects/programs in NGOs, INGOs, or government departments.
• Proven experience in preparing training materials and tools.
• Familiarity with development theory, community-based disaster management, Disaster Risk Management (DRM) frameworks, and Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment.
• Strong expertise in training, facilitation, capacity building, and organizational development for staff and local leaders.

3. Additional Skills:

• In-depth understanding of Nepal’s health system.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in both Nepali and English languages.

Reporting: The Trainer will report directly to the Program Director at Action for Nepal and collaborate closely with AF Nepal field staff.

Consultancy Budgeting: The consultant will be paid based on the agreed per-day remuneration for the specified workdays, with additional coverage for travel, accommodation, and other relevant expenses. 

Application Process: Interested individuals are invited to submit their applications, which should include a detailed resume, a cover letter describing their proposed approach to the training and manual development, references, and their expected per-day consultancy fee. Submissions should be sent to actionfnepal@gmail.com by January 20, 2025.

Criteria for Evaluation: The consultant will be selected based on several criteria. Forty percent will be based on relevant experience and expertise, as well as knowledge of community-based disaster management and Nepal’s health system. Thirty percent will be based on the clarity and feasibility of the approach to training and manual development. Twenty percent will consider the proposed per-day remuneration, assessing its competitiveness in relation to the scope of work. Finally, ten percent will evaluate the quality of previous work samples and references. The consultant with the highest overall score will be selected.

Contact Information: For inquiries and submissions, please contact at actionfnepal@gmail.com or at + 977 01 4915979/ 9801864454.