Background
Lao PDR is exposed to a range of disasters as a result from natural and manmade actions such as typhoons, floods, landslides, droughts, strong winds, disease outbreaks, as well as earthquakes in the northern parts of the country. The country is seeing an increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events resulting in droughts and floods during increasingly unusual periods throughout the year. The majority of floods occur in the central and southern parts of the country along the Mekong plain in 2018 and 2019.
In late August 2019, a tropical storm and low pressure over Lao PDR caused flooding in six provinces: Khammouan, Savannakhet, Champasak, Saravan, Sekong and Attapeu. As per available estimates from the National Disaster Management Organisation on 8 September 2019, almost 400,000 people are affected, 14 people lost their lives and there’s significant damage to agriculture, houses and infrastructure. Estimated capital exposure is about US$ 753.4 million. According to preliminary assessment from UNITAR-UNOSAT, within 60,000 sq.km. of Southern Lao PDR, about 1,000 sq.km. appears to be flooded where over
- 6 million people live.
In 2018, floods affected all 18 provinces in Lao PDR resulting in loss and damage equivalent to
- 6 percent of the Government budget in that year. The Government led Post Disaster Needs Assessment provided the recommendations to develop a National Disaster Recovery Framework, incorporating measures to reduce risks and into the country’s 9th National Socio-economic Development Plans.
The United Nations Development Programme in Lao PDR in partnership with Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare is implementing the project: Building Capacities for Resilient Recovery – Phase 2 (BCRRII). The project seeks to support the National Disaster Management Organization (NDMO) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MoLSW) in the recovery efforts and long-term disaster risk reduction.
The development of this Guideline will help define institutional arrangements, financing mechanisms, implementation and monitoring arrangements, partnership strategy for recovery and local systems for recovery during small and large-scale disasters, to address recovery needs of the affected communities holistically, build back better and to reduce communities’ vulnerability in the next disaster.
The Government of Lao PDR endorsed the Disaster Management Law which is a critical initiative and support towards recovery ‘Build Back Better’. In order to translate the disaster management law into actions, the Disaster Recovery Framework was developed based on the foundation of the Disaster Management Law, as well as the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment conducted following the devastating floods of 2018.
Both legal instruments take into account the key lessons learnt and issues identified in the 2018 and 2019 floods and ensure legislation of relevant aspects of Disaster Risk Management (DRM).
Through the ‘Building Capacities for Resilient Recovery-Phase II’ initiatives will contribute to the strengthening of national capacities and systems to plan and manage recovery processes. Strengthening national capacities will result in ‘building back better and safer’ thus contributing to building the resilience of the country and its communities in the face of disaster and restoring sustainable development pathways.
Output 1 of this project aims to improve the enabling environment for recovery by formulating National Disaster Recovery Guidelines that will enhance institutional arrangements and streamline mandates for recovery in the country including defining partnership strategies for recovery.
Duties and Responsibilities
With the technical guidance of the Disaster Risk Management Specialist, under the overall supervision of the Team Leader, NRM and Climate Change/DRR from UNDP Lao PDR Country Office, and support by Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the international consultant will be responsible to develop the National Policy and Guidelines for Recovery including developing Partnership Strategy for Recovery.
the consultant needs to guide and technically lead the discussions
It is expected, among others, that the Guideline will:
- Be a user-friendly practical tool for the government to be used in pre-disaster and post-disaster recovery phases;
- Be aligned with international and regional standards, principles and good practices adapted to the national context for different disasters;
- Reflect (or make reference to) local/indigenous processes and practices on disaster recovery as experienced or demonstrated by local communities in Lao PDR;
- Include ways and means to translate the gains of resilient recovery into longer-term risk reduction and resilient development;
- Integrate issues related to conflict sensitivity – to avoid recovery interventions exacerbating local tensions, mechanisms, including participatory methods, should be taken into account;
- Integrate considerations related to gender equality and inclusion. Those consideration should be an integral part of the Guidelines as well as in the process of formulation, including e.g. assuring a balanced representation in the consultation process;
- Include elements of innovation (applicable to the Lao PDR context);
In developing the Guideline, the consultant will have to coordinate with UNDP and MLSW with aligned workplans and timelines between the two institutions. The consultant is expected to:
- Support MLSW in the preliminary work, necessary for formulating National Recovery Guideline, including, but not limited to:
- Guiding and technically leading the discussions
- Making due reference on the desk review already undertaken, identifying good practices from other countries that can be relevant and applied in the Lao PDR context.
- Review the existing legal, policies and institutional arrangements related to recovery in the country, relying on both legal instruments – DM Law and Disaster Recovery Framework by MLSW, UNDP and ADB
- Review roles and responsibilities of relevant working committees of the National Disaster Management Committee and other actors, involved in recovery functions
- Review government rules and regulations recovery-related tasks, including financial rules and regulations
- Review and analyze tools developed till date on rehabilitation and reconstruction
- Conduct multi-stakeholder’s consultations, through formal and non-formal mechanisms
- Identify practices, gaps and needs and conduct one to one consultation with key representatives from different departments
- Based on the baseline information, develop in consultation with the government an outline for the National Recovery Guideline
- Organize meeting with technical working groups representatives to collect inputs as well as to validate collected information
- Collect inputs from other activities, under the same project (e.g. trainings and community-based recovery interventions)
2. Develop a draft of the National Recovery Guideline (policy and guidelines for recovery)
3. Review and support MLSW and UNDP in the process of finalization of the National Recovery Guideline, assuring the quality as well as compliance with international standards
During this assignment, the international consultant is expected to deliver:
- Inception report covering a detailed workplan agreed by UNDP (in consultation with MLSW and UNDP)
- Draft Outline of the National Policy and Guidelines for Recovery
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- Draft content of National Disaster Recovery Guidelines
- Second draft of the Guideline, after incorporating inputs and feedbacks
- Finalized version of the Recovery Guidelines submitted to UNDP and MLSW.
The consultant will be paid based on the lump sum contract, which will include the international travel, fees, insurance, living allowance, in-town transportation, and other related costs, upon satisfactory delivery, according to the Payment structure shown in the table of this section of the Terms of Reference.
The consultant will build on the existing work already initiated by the CO and MLSW. The CO will share all the produced documents, including 1) the approved Disaster Management Law 2) Post Disaster Needs Assessment and Disaster Recovery Framework 2018 and 3) TOR of the Technical Working Group, for the consultant to conduct his/her assignment
Competencies
- Proven understanding of disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management, with a particular focus on recovery coordination, planning and implementation.
- Experience in drafting guidelines, strategies, toolkits, etc.
- Experience in coordination with different range of stakeholders and mostly government counterparts.
- Experience in conducting similar assignment will be considered a strong asset
- Excellent communication, writing and inter-personal skills
- Previous experience in the region and in Lao PDR will be considered an asset
Required Skills and Experience
Masters’ Degree or higher in the field of Disaster Risk Management, Development Studies, Social Science, Geography, or a related field
At least 10 years of relevant work experience in Disaster Risk Reduction, with a focus on recovery
Interested persons are requested to submit the following documents as part of their application:
- Brief description/ cover letter of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment. Please paste the letter into the ‘Resume and Motivation’ section of the electronic application
- Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP
- P11 Form indicating all relevant experience as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references. Please use the P11 form provided by UNDP
- Financial Proposal that indicates the daily fees as per the template provided by UNDP
A.CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFER
The following criteria shall serve as basis for evaluating offers: Combined Scoring Method:
- Where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a maximum of 70% and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a maximum of 30%
Technical Evaluation of Proposals:
- All applications comprising the information/documentation provided will be evaluated to ascertain the suitability of the applicants to carry out the assignment. Candidates who obtain the minimum of 49 points of the full mark (70 points) will be considered technically compliant and their financial evaluations will be evaluated thereafter. Applications will be scored as per the following breakdown (Total 70 points):
Technical Evaluation
Points (70)
1
Educational background:
- Masters’ Degree or higher in the field of Disaster Risk Management, Development Studies, Social Science, Geography, or a related field
10
2
Relevant Experience: 55 points
- Proven understanding of disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management, with a particular focus on recovery coordination, planning and implementation.
10
- At least 10 years of relevant work experience in Disaster Risk Reduction, with a focus on recovery (20 points)
20
- Experience in coordination with different range of stakeholders and mostly government counterparts (10 points)
10
- Experience in drafting guidelines, strategies, toolkits, etc. (10 points)
10
- Experience in conducting similar assignment will be considered a strong asset (5 points)
5
- Previous experience in the region and in Lao PDR, will be considered an asset
3
English language skills: 5 points
- Excellent command of written and spoken English
- Knowledge of Lao PDR language will be considered an asset
5
4
Total
70
Financial Evaluation of Proposals:
- The financial proposals of all the applicants who pass the technical evaluation will be scored. The maximum 30 points will be allotted to the lowest financial bid, and all other bids shall receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest fee e.g. [30 Points] x [USD lowest] / [USD other] = points for other proposer’s fees
The contract shall be awarded to the applicant who receives the highest cumulative score.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
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