Afghanistan: DISASTER MANAGEMENT POLICY DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

Background and Context:

Afghanistan has for decades been exposed to multiple hazards that have adversely affected its population. Key among them are extreme winter conditions, landslide avalanches, earthquakes, floods as well as droughts and sand storms which threaten the Afghan population in most of the provinces in the country. In addition, the country that has been ravaged by prolonged conflict is now facing multiple man- made disasters including explosions that have caused more deaths and heavy injuries in the country. More than 500 square km of Afghan land in 1,700 villages are still cultivated with remnants of war and mines which pose a huge threat to the local population. Such humanitarian situation calls for policies that reflect long term implications of such hazards.

Afghan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), the government agency responsible for coordination of humanitarian activities in the country cites poor early warning systems, lack of sufficient attention to DRR and resilience, data and information gaps among others as having led to poor planning and hampered effective disaster management in general.

The Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) was established in 1934, and is the only country-wide humanitarian organization with the aim to alleviate human suffering and provide support to the victims of man-made and natural disasters all over Afghanistan. In fulfilment of its auxiliary role to the government, ARCS has been delivering humanitarian services through its volunteers and staff to the most vulnerable people of Afghanistan, including those who are not easily accessible due to conflict, by providing health care, relief assistance among others.

The ARCS Strategic Plan (2012-2015) ranks DM as one of its programme priorities covering activities based on strategic objectives that include: building disaster preparedness and response capacity, integrated disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, strengthening existing coordination and cooperation with ANDMA, improving contingency planning, development of a knowledge management system, Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VCA), Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR), Disaster Response Units (DRUs) and Early Recovery. ARCS DM programme activities are supported by ICRC, Canadian Red Cross and Danish Red Cross projects with activities ranging from emergency response, preparedness to disaster risk reduction/mitigation to institutional and community capacity building.

The ARCS’ Annual Operational Plan (AOP) 2015 has defined its priorities in disaster management to include; disaster preparedness, disaster response, community based disaster preparedness, community based disaster risk reduction and disaster recovery. These components are being implemented through a more comprehensive and realistic approach that further integrates with health, organisation development (OD), gender and various support services

While ARCS’ DM programme has over the years defined its programme priorities from strategic plans, reviews and vulnerability capacity assessments, the programme has had no DM policy in place as part of ARCS tools to provide overall strategic direction for achieving desired outcomes on DM. The development of the DM Policy is necessitated by the following reasons: a) to incorporate disaster management into ARCS development goals, b) to give direction on the implementation of the DM programme activities especially at local level, c) to address the plight of the most vulnerable communities, d) to reinforce the wider DRR issues and their linkages to other development policies and e) to reflect ARCS’ commitments to global and regional DM frameworks relevant to Afghanistan context. The DM policy will be an integral part of the ARCS’ Strategic Plan (2016-2020).

Besides the regular disaster preparedness & relief works, a clear working policy regarding prevention, mitigation, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities should be established to accomplish the humanitarian mission of ARCS. The DM policy will guide ARCS in determining the disaster related major working areas/activities that should be performed, set criteria and order to implement & coordinate disaster management activities, prioritize the DM activities and determine the basic procedure. It is against this background that the objectives for this consultancy have been developed.

2. Alignment to the IFRC’s objectives and strategy

(IFRC’s Strategy 2020)

2.1Strategy for Implementation:Strengthen National Society capacities and ensure sustained and relevant Red Cross and Red Crescent presence in communities.

2.1.1Outcome:National Societies programmatic and operation objectives are supported

2.1.1.1Input:Development of policies, standards, and tools.*disaster response services (specifically PMER)*

3. Broad Objective of the Consultancy

To develop a draft ARCS Disaster Management Policy that is informed by ARCS’ mandate, analysis of Afghanistan humanitarian context and current trends in the field of disaster management taking into account the global, regional and national DM frameworks ARCS is committed to.

4.Specific Objectives:

4.1 Identify the baseline of current disaster risk management in Afghanistan and support provided by the various development agencies, including but not limited to emergency response capabilities.

4.2 .Assess ARCS activities, responsibilities and the external environment in order to identify needs/issues for policies and procedure

4.3 .To provide general directions based on Afghanistan DM context (needs or issues) that require policy to be made for ARCS implementation.

4.4 To ensure that identified policy needs are interpreted into proposed actions and are debated.

4.5 To set relevant policy directions that meet ARCS DM context.

4.6 .To define in the DM policy the relevant role ARCS plays in National DM policy..

5. Scope of Work:

5.1 Develop detailed plan to include appropriate methodology for DM policy development of ARCS.

5.2 Review and consolidate relevant global and local documents necessary for the development of ARCS DM Policy; desk review of relevant documents.

5.3 Assess/analyse external environment, the vulnerable people, priority DM needs; the mandate of ARCS and RCRC Movement in DM and directions; RCRC Movement Global, IFRC DM and country-level DM policies;

5.4 Consult with the DM Policy Working Group (DMPWG with IFRC DM support in the implementation of the plan, recommendations and finalization of the required document/reports. The DMPWG will support ARCS senior leadership in decision making and bring clarity in the scope of disaster management.

5.5 Engage in interviews and consultations with ARCS stakeholders to determine areas for inclusion in ARCS DM policy and positioning DM projects of ARCS in Afghanistan.

5.6 Organize and facilitate DM policy development workshop with key stakeholders from national and local levels to identify roles and responsibilities of ARCS in National DM policy and define ARCS DM policy in developing and implementing DM programmes and services.

5.7 Draft and finalize ARCS DM policy document for the presentation and approval of ARCS

governance and leadership in coherence with the following:

• IFRC DM policies.


• Any relevant Government documents on DM. e.g Strategic Position on DM in Afghanistan 2015-2019, DM Strategy 2014-17


• ARCS Mission-Vision 2016-2020 on DM

6Expected Deliverables:

6.1 Presentation of first draft (electronic and hard copy) to ARCS Leadership.

6.2 Final draft DM policy for ARCS approval

6.3 A cover sheet identifying the steps used in developing the draft DM Policy

6.4 Mission report incorporating stakeholder consultations with recommendations for finalization and implementation of the Policy.

7Methodology

7.1 The consultant will carry our his/her consultancy tasks in Afghanistan.

7.2 The Consultant is expected to carry out a desk review of relevant literature obtained from various sources.

7.3 Conduct stakeholder analysis. Target participants/stakeholders include; ARCS (Red Crescent members, Volunteers, Governance and Staff), Beneficiaries, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), Participating National Societies (PNS), ANDMA/Gov’t, Line ministries e.g Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), United Nations (UN) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

7.4 Use a consultative approach (e.g brainstorming)

7.5 Meetings and discussions.

7.6 Some in-country travel may be required, depending on location, distance, security clearance and time available.

7.7 Consultant compiles data and analyses it

7.8 Presents to ARCS senior leadership which makes comments/amendments for attention.

7.9 Draft Policy revised according to proposed amendments and finalized.

8Support to be provided to the consultant

8.1 ARCS will:

8.1.1Nominate DM Policy Committee/WG with relevant fields of technical

expertise and experience to support the consultant in decision making

during the consultative process.

8.1.2 Provide the Consultant with all relevant documentation to facilitate

achieving the consultancy objectives.

8.1.3 Circulate the draft policy among stakeholders for comments.

8.1.4 Mobilise relevant ARCS organs/stakeholders for approval of the draft DM

policy.

8.1.5 Incorporate the approved DM policy into its policy and procedures framework.

8.1IFRC will:

8.1.1 Provide logistical support.

8.1.2 Coordinate relevant stakeholders within the RCRC Movement for participation in the DM policy making process.

9.0 Management of consultancy

· The consultant will report to IFRC Programme Coordinator.

10.0 Indicative Timeframe:

The consultancy is estimated to commence in January,2016 and is expected to be completed within a period of 30 working days. The final output and report of this consultancy work should be submitted no later than ^t 15 March, 2016.

11.0 Budget and Payment:

The detailed work plan and total costs of the consultancy will be negotiated with the consultant. The payment schedule will be based on milestones agreed with the Consultant.

Or (KL to advise on suitable choice)

You detail the cost allocated for consultancy fees, and mention that travel/per diem will be covered by the contracting party, as well as in country costs for meetings etc.

12.Required Qualifications and Experience of the Consultant:

12.1 The consultant should have the following experience and qualifications:

12.2 A degree in DRM, Political Science, Law, Development Studies or a related

discipline from recognised University.

12.3 Minimum of 5 years work experience in Disaster Management. More

specifically, has experience in DM in complex environments including both

conflict and natural disasters. Experience working with RCRC Movement and

particularly with a developing National Society is an added advantage.

12.4 More specifically, has experience in DM in complex environments including

both conflict and natural disasters.

12.5 Strong analytical skills and ability to complete in-depth analytical research.

12.6 Proven experience of similar consultancies/assignments performance.

12.7 Experience of working in Afghanistan/South Asia in the area of disaster

management would also be an advantage.

12.8 Excellent spoken and written English language and interpersonal

communication skills.