Concern Worldwide, Pakistan: Concern worldwide, Pakistan: is an international humanitarian organization focusing on the eradication of extreme poverty. Response to emergencies and works to address the underlying causes of extreme poverty through long-term development programming, humanitarian Aid, food security and nutrition, capacity development of partners, disaster risk reduction and the building of community resilience.

Concern Worldwide Pakistan is hosting the Disaster Risk Financing (DRF) and FOREWARN Programme for Start Network under separate contractual arrangements.  The DRF program, aims to create a proactive, resilient, people-centered, locally led, and innovative humanitarian ecosystem. It plans to address emerging challenges through strengthened preparedness and response to any predictable crises.

Purpose of the Assignment

Concern Worldwide, Pakistan, Disaster Risk Financing (DRF) Program Pakistan mission is to transform disaster response through early and fast humanitarian financing, innovative ways of working, and a radical shift of resources and decision making to communities and organizations at the frontline of crises.

The assignment will Support and facilitate the DRF program risk model review and localisation of heatwave, flood and drought models in cooperation with NDMA and PMD.

Specific Objectives of the Assignment

1. Review the data sources included in the models to identify gaps and increase alignment with PMD forecasts.
2. Identify areas for model improvements and make any relevant recommendations e.g. geographical expansion, incorporation of new datasets.
3. Assist with setting up local ownership of the drought and heatwave models.
4. Assist in establishing dedicated unit in PMD for specialized meteorological services as per need of the hours and international practices and collaborate. 

Scope of Work

List the specific tasks and activities to be undertaken during the localization process. This may include:

• Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment for the target region.
• Customizing model parameters and algorithms based on local risk factors.
• Collaborating with local experts and stakeholders for input and validation.
• Integrating local data sources into the model.
• Testing and validating the localized model against historical events and hypothetical scenarios.

•  Validation and evaluation of each of the three hazard models:
  • Review of previous hazard seasons and performance review since 2020, assessing whether the models triggered action correctly and whether positive and negative basis risk events occurred.
  • In consultation with local experts, review model datasets in comparison to locally available datasets.
    • Review PMD forecasts, conduct KIIs to identify gaps including missing or more appropriate model & vulnerability indicators e.g. flood defences.
    • Make recommendations for alterations/improvements to model datasets.
    • Survey the local members to determine which model improvements should be prioritised e.g. geographical expansion, use of additional indicators/datasets and improved modelling capabilities.
    • Produce an implementation plan for model improvements/updates.
  • Transfer of ownership of the drought and heatwave models to Pakistan:
    • Keep liaison with UK consultant for training on system.
  • Tailoring of meteorological models’ products for impact-based forecasts as per community requirements:
    • Tailoring of weather models’ output for product development.
    • Establishing dedicated centre for specialized meteorological services.
    • Wide dissemination of weather information to all stakeholders.

• Identify model improvements and expansion opportunities:

Deliverables

Deliverables will be finalised in conjunction with identified consultant:

• A fully customized and validated disaster risk financing model.
• Documentation of model adjustments and rationale for localization decisions.
• Training materials for local stakeholders on model maintenance and updates.
• Communication materials to raise awareness about the localized model.

• Report outlining outcome of model reviews and recommendations to take forwards, including transfer of ownership.
• Workshop to summarise findings and finalise recommendations with NSC, TWG, members, PMD and other relevant stakeholders.

Experience and Qualifications

               Experience:

• Demonstrated 7 years of working experience with humanitarian/development organizations and/or relevant government organizations such as academia, disaster management authorities, and meteorological departments.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting hazard and model forecasting analysis.
• Robust understanding of hazard forecasting modalities and methods.
• Advanced knowledge in GIS based software and/or Computer Sciences.
• Good understanding of virtual machines and cloud computing (e.g. cloud servers such as those issued by Vultr (https://www.vultr.com)).
• Experience in coding with Python.

              Education:

• Preferably PhD/M.Phil/ Master Degree in a relevant field i.e. Climate Change, Environmental Science, GIS / Remote Sensing, Risk Modelling ( Flood/Drought/Heatwave), Disaster management, Climatology, Geology , Geography or any other relevant field.
• Prior experience in developing research papers (published) and/or hazard models including hazard and vulnerability assessments.
• Practical experience in building/designing a hazard forecasting system.
• Previous experience working with National Disaster Management Organizations like the NDMA and PMD in the context of hazard, risk, vulnerability, forecasting and modelling.
• Experience in handling gridded datasets and the netCDF file format.
• Experience with managing operational systems.
• Experience with web services.
• Experience with using Github (code repository).
• Good knowledge of the Unix operating system.

Lines of Communication

Crisis Anticipation and Risk Financing Advisor will be the primary contact

Contract Duration

The total duration of the assignment is 8 weeks from June 2024 to August 2024.

Selection Process and Criteria

The EOI will be evaluated through a competitive selection process. The following overarching criteria will be followed:

• Consultant (s) previous similar experience; 
• Staff skills, credentials, and knowledge as reflected in the EOI and CVs;
• Justification and suitability as reflected in the EOI;
• Relevancy of the proposed course outline and training methodology
• Quality and relevancy of previous work

Concern will review the EOI/CVs/previous experiences, and only shortlisted consultants will be called for a presentation/meeting (where required) to clarify the requirements and Scope of Work. After the presentation/meetings, Concern will finalize the list of shortlisted consultants, and the financial proposal/ budget will only be requested from the shortlisted consultant(s). Note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to demonstrate previous experience and justification of the proposed consultancy. The panel will review the documents and evaluate capacity based on the information in the above-required documents. The panel will only review/evaluate the documents that are stated above. Additional documents will not be considered during review/evaluation.

Note:

• Please make sure that you have submit self-declaration (attachment available) of previous criminal conviction along with technical EOI as part of the application process.
• The selected company or individual consultant has to accommodate the changes incurred in the ToR in terms of scope and scale of activities.

Applications Submission Process

Interested consultants should send the following documents in a sealed envelope, clearly marked “Consultancy for Training on Disaster Management and Response” and it should reach the HR department, Concern Worldwide head office at Plot # 144, Street # 30, G9/1 Islamabad, Pakistan, before 16:00 Hrs May 24, 2024. The following documents are to be submitted:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI) per the attached format/template. If the EOI is not received as per the attached template, if its format is altered/amended in any way, or if it exceeds the given page limit (as detailed in the template), Concern will not consider the application for further review.
2. CV(s) of staff who will be engaged for this assignment reflecting at least the academic qualification, previous relevant experience, contact number, current location, etc. Each CV should not exceed four (4) pages in MS Word format – font size Times New Roman 11 – A4 size page – margin one inch on all sides – alignment justified;

3.     Documented evidence, e.g., copy of reference materials  previously developed, contract award or reference letter from the clients stating the scope of services and deliverables related to previously completed similar assignments (Maximum two previous related documents/sample);

4.     Registration certificate of the Consultancy Firm, clearly mentioning the date of establishment;

5.     NTN of the Consultancy Firm.

The EOI and the required documents should be submitted through courier/post or in person and reach the specified location within the specified deadline and in the appropriate format. The cost proposal/budget is not required at this stage.

For any questions and queries, the applicant can email [email protected] by 15:00 Hrs May 17, 2024. Concern will respond to the queries within two (02) working days.

Safeguarding at Concern: Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern's core values and mission. Any candidate offered a consultancy opportunity with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their consultancy contract. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to do consultancy work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, being hired as a consultant with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.