Terms of Reference (TOR)
Consultancy for the Development of District Drought Disaster Contingency Plan for District Ziarat

Project Title: Supporting Disaster-Affected Communities in District Ziarat
Location: District Ziarat, Balochistan

1. Objective of the Consultancy

The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive Drought Disaster Contingency Plan for district Ziarat, which includes strategic measures and guidelines to reduce the impact of future droughts on local communities. The plan should cover key aspects of disaster management, preparedness, response, and recovery.

2. Scope of Work

The consultant(s) will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Conduct Situation Analysis:
• Review the existing drought disaster management frameworks, policies, and plans at the district and provincial level.
• Assess the vulnerability of the district to drought, including historical data, key sectors impacted, and affected communities.
• Identify key stakeholders involved in disaster management and establish their roles and responsibilities.
2. Consultation with Stakeholders:
• Organize and facilitate consultations with local authorities, community leaders, farmers, livestock owners, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders to gather input and ensure the contingency plan reflects the needs and priorities of the affected communities.
3. Develop the Drought Disaster Contingency Plan:
• Outline specific early warning systems (EWS), preparedness actions, response strategies, and recovery plans for drought situations in Ziarat.
• Develop guidelines for community-level disaster preparedness, including the roles of farmers, livestock owners, and other stakeholders.
• Recommend SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) techniques for drought preparedness and resilience building.
4. Capacity Building and Training:
• Provide a detailed strategy for strengthening local capacities to implement the contingency plan, focusing on local institutions and communities.
• Design training modules and awareness programs for local stakeholders, particularly farmers and livestock owners, to effectively respond to drought situations.
5. Develop a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework:
• Create a mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the contingency plan, including key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Suggest ways for periodic review and updates to the plan based on evolving drought patterns and lessons learned from previous experiences.
6. Reporting:
• Prepare a final report summarizing the findings, methodologies, and the developed contingency plan.

3. Deliverables

1. A comprehensive “District Drought Disaster Contingency Plan” for Ziarat.
2. Stakeholder consultation reports documenting the process and key inputs.
3. A capacity building and training strategy for stakeholders.
4. A Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework.
5. Final report detailing the methodology, findings, and recommendations.
6. Approval of the District Drought Disaster Contingency Plan by PDMA and DDMA(s)

4. Required Qualifications and Experience

To qualify for this consultancy, the following criteria must be met:

• Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree in environmental science, Disaster Management, or Development Studies. However, candidates with a master’s degree in other social science disciplines may also be considered as a secondary option for this assignment.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in disaster management, particularly related to drought preparedness and climate resilience.
• Proven experience in developing disaster contingency plans or similar documents.
• Previous work in Balochistan or similar contexts, with knowledge of local issues related to drought and agriculture.
• Experience working with community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR), agriculture, and livelihood management.
• Strong understanding of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and Water SMART practices.
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders, including local government authorities, community leaders, and NGOs.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Urdu (knowledge of Pashto is an asset).
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

5. Duration of Consultancy

The consultancy is expected to take approximately 3 weeks  starting from the date of signing the contract. The exact timeline may be adjusted depending on the consultant’s proposal and project needs.

6. Application Process

Interested organizations must submit the following documents:

1. A technical proposal outlining the approach, methodology, and work plan for developing the contingency plan.
2. A financial proposal detailing the consultant’s fees and any other associated costs.
3. A portfolio or evidence of previous work related to similar consultancy services, especially in disaster management and agriculture in drought-prone areas.
4. CVs of key staff involved in the project, including their qualifications and relevant experience.

7. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Understanding of the scope and objectives of the assignment.
• Quality of the methodology and approach to the development of the contingency plan.
• Relevant experience in disaster risk management and agriculture in drought-prone areas.
• Previous experience working in Balochistan or similar contexts.
• Financial feasibility of the proposal.
• Proposed timeline for completing the consultancy.

8. Payment Terms

The payment will be made in instalments based on the completion of the following deliverables:

• First instalment: Upon signing the contract and submission of the inception report.
• Second instalment: Upon submission of the draft contingency plan and consultation report.
• Final instalment: Upon submission and approval of the final report, contingency plan, and all associated documentation.

9. Confidentiality

The consultant is expected to maintain the confidentiality of all information shared during the consultancy period, including data collected from stakeholders and any sensitive project documents.