Consultancy for International Humanitarian Needs Assessment Training Consultant

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Papua New Guinea faces myriad humanitarian consequences from regular natural disasters (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flash flooding, landslides, tsunamis, drought, frost), conflicts, refugee emergencies, health emergencies, and governance issues. PNG frequently experiences localized disasters, but also less frequent large-scale disasters such as the 2015/16 El Niño-induced drought and frost and the 2018 Highlands Earthquake. National and sub-national capacities for and investment in disaster management remain weak. There is broad variation in national, provincial, and local capacities to plan for and effectively respond to humanitarian emergencies.

Since June 2015, UNDP has assumed the role of humanitarian coordination in addition to its overall responsibility to conduct operational activities for disaster mitigation, prevention, and preparedness. The Humanitarian Advisory Team serves as the secretariat for the Disaster Management Team and provides critical humanitarian coordination, support, and advice to the Government, UN agencies, the Resident Coordinator, civil society, and faith-based organisations to better prepare for and respond to emergencies and crises. The team supports the mobilisation and coordination of effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international entities to alleviate human suffering in emergencies. The team also supports the National Disaster Centre to address key goals, including updating the Disaster Management Act, enhancing communication and coordination between national and provincial disaster management bodies, and providing technical support on contingency planning and needs’ assessments.

Following the 2018 Highlands Earthquake, the National Disaster Centre, with support from UNDP, established a National Assessment Standby Team and adopted standard post-disaster rapid needs assessment forms for direct observation, key informant interviews, and focus group discussion. In 2019, training materials were developed and a 5-day training workshop and table-top exercise using these forms were delivered to NDC staff and international humanitarian organizations with operations in PNG who comprise the Disaster Management Team. There is a need to strengthen and standardize initial needs assessments that are conducted at the provincial level following disasters.

In this context, UNDP is seeking two consultants to facilitate the updating of the training materials and forms and deliver a 5-day training workshop and exercise to Provincial Disaster Centre staff, National Disaster Centre staff, and Disaster Management Team members.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK AND SPECIFIC TASKS

Under the overall supervision of Humanitarian Coordination Specialist and in consultation with the Humanitarian Advisory Team and the National Disaster Centre, and drawing from primary and secondary sources, the consultant is expected to do the following tasks.

Working remotely, the two consultants shall review and update the training and exercise materials previously developed for a 5-day training and table-top exercise delivered in 2019 on the conduct of post-disaster rapid disaster needs assessments. Fabricated assessment data for use during the exercise will need to be developed and uploaded to Kobo Toolbox. The nationally adopted assessment for for direct observation, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, will also need to be reviewed and updated as needed. UNDP will provide the relevant files in electronic format.

The two consultants will travel to Port Moresby to deliver a 5-day training and exercise to approximately 40 participants including 21 Provincial Disaster Centre staff and 19 others from national organizations including the National Disaster Centre and members of the Disaster Management Team.

Working remotely, the two consultants will draft and submit a final report that summarizes the training, including evaluation feedback and participants.

DELIVERABLES
Updated training and exercise materials in electronic format (PowerPoint, etc.)
Relevant exercise materials uploaded on Kobo Toolbox
Updated assessment forms in electronic format (Word) and uploaded on Kobo Toolbox.
Successful delivery of the 5-day training and exercise on humanitarian needs assessment
A final report that summarizes the training, evaluation, and participants.

Key milestones or deliverables

Duration

Due

Payment Percentage

Review and Approvals

Updated training and exercise materials in electronic format (PowerPoint)
Relevant exercise materials uploaded on Kobo Toolbox
updated assessment forms in electronic format (Word) and uploaded on Kobo Toolbox.

15 days

(remote)

30 Sep 2022

45%

Humanitarian Coordination Specialist

Successful delivery of the 5-day training and exercise on humanitarian needs assessment

5 days

(in Port Moresby)

3-7 Oct 2022

50%

Humanitarian Coordination Specialist

A final report that summarizes the training, evaluation, and participants.

1 day

(remote)

14 Oct 2022

5%

Humanitarian Coordination Specialist

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS / REPORTING LINES

The work will be undertaken between 12 September and 7 October in a mixture of remote and in-person modalities. The consultants will discuss and closely coordinate the scope of work with the Humanitarian Advisory Team project team and National Disaster Centre focal points and be supervised by the Humanitarian Advisory Team project manager.

REPORTING AND PAYMENT TERMS

The assignment will cover the period 12 September to 14 October 2022. The assignment workplan will be discussed and agreed with the supervisor. Payment will be made in accordance with the Individual Consultant contracting modality. The consultant may be required to work remotely and to conduct planned travel.

Competencies

Competencies:

Corporate Competencies

Proven coordination, advocacy, and strategic engagement/negotiation skills, including donor relations.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; and
Treats all people fairly without fear or favour.

Functional Competencies

A good understanding of information management (including data flows, protection, and analysis), as well as qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.
Leadership qualities, including the ability to make sound judgment, meet challenges constructively and creatively.
Ability to quickly adapt to change, and to remain calm under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Academic qualifications:
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in disaster management, humanitarian affairs, social sciences, or related field is required.
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in disaster management, humanitarian affairs, social sciences, or related field is required in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Years of experience:
Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in disaster management, humanitarian response, or other related area is required.
Experience in designing and conducting multi-sectoral post-disaster rapid needs assessments is required.
Experience in designing and delivering training to adults using participatory approaches is required.
Field experience in Papua New Guinea or Pacific contexts is preferred.

Language:
English (required), Tok Pisin (desirable)

EVALUATION

The proposals will be evaluated using the cumulative analysis method with a split 70% technical and 30% financial scoring. The proposal with the highest cumulative scoring will be awarded the contract. Applications will be evaluated technically, and points are attributed based on how well the proposal meets the requirements of the Terms of Reference using the guidelines detailed in the table below:

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract may be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical criteria weighting; 70%
Financial criteria weighting; 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for the financial evaluation. Interviews may be conducted as part of technical assessment for shortlisted proposals.

Criteria

Points

Percentage

Qualification

10%

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in disaster management, humanitarian affairs, social sciences, or related field OR
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in disaster management, humanitarian affairs, social sciences, or related field in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

10

Experience

40%

Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in disaster management, humanitarian response, or other related area is required.

10

Experience in designing and conducting multi-sectoral post-disaster rapid needs assessments is required.

10

Experience in designing and delivering training to adults using participatory approaches is required.

10

Field experience in Papua New Guinea or Pacific contexts is preferred.

10

Competencies

20%

Proven coordination, advocacy, and strategic engagement/negotiation skills, including donor relations.

3

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

3

Treats all people fairly without fear or favour.

4

A good understanding of information management (including data flows, protection, and analysis), as well as qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.

4

Leadership qualities, including the ability to make sound judgment, meet challenges constructively and creatively.

3

Ability to quickly adapt to change, and to remain calm under pressure.

3

Technical Criteria

70%

**If necessary, interviews shall also be conducted as part of the technical evaluation to ascertain best value for money.

Financial Criteria

30%

Total

100%