Back Technical Specialist

The consultant position is open only to Bangladeshi nationals. The position is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

About the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center:

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is an autonomous international organization established for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes with a vision of safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific.

Established in 1986 as a technical capacity-building center, ADPC has grown and diversified its expertise across social and physical sciences to support sustainable solutions for risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas. With over 100 staff from 19 different nationalities and a wide range of professional expertise from atmospheric scientists to social scientists with experiences from all levels of engagement typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) in an effective manner. ADPC has six strategic themes supported by seven departments: the ADPC Academy, Risk Governance, Climate Resilience, Urban Resilience, Health Risk Management, Preparedness for Response and Recovery, and Geospatial Information. These are supported by Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Strategic Planning departments. In addition to the departments, ADPC also works on three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Diversity, Poverty and Livelihoods, and Regional and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees.

ADPC Strategy 2020 guides the organization in providing comprehensive risk reduction support to countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC recognizes the importance of examining the linkages between disaster risk management, poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainability, rights-based approaches, climate change, and regional cooperation. For details, please refer to the ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net/

Department Introduction:

The Preparedness for Response and Recovery (PRR) Department of ADPC focuses on enhancing the preparedness and response management capacities of governments, response organizations, volunteers, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, communities, and other traditional and non-traditional actors of the Disaster Risk Management Ecosystem. It also strives to strengthen the capacity of institutions and at-risk communities for faster and more efficient disaster recovery. The department works with the above-stated actors to ensure that the regional, national, sub-national, and local disaster preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks and implementation plans are in place well before disaster strikes.

Purpose and Objectives:

ADPC is co-implementing and facilitating Phase 2 of the Bangladesh Preparedness Partnership under the overall leadership and guidance of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), Bangladesh. BPP is an innovative partnership instrumental in supporting the Government of Bangladesh in leading and operationalizing its flagship policy of SOD 2019 through a multi-stakeholder partnership model. Phase 2 of the BPP will strengthen the multi-stakeholder partnership platform at the national and sub-national levels, building operational and technical capacities, research applications, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms.

ADPC seeks a consultant to coordinate and provide technical inputs for implementing identified private sector and LNGO activities under BPP. The consultant will regularly coordinate, guide, and monitor for the successful delivery of identified activities within the mentioned timeframe in coordination and consultation with the sectoral focal points. The overall objective of sectoral interventions is to contribute to the effective implementation of Standing Orders on Disasters (SOD) 2019 and the National Plan for Disaster Management targets for strengthening the resilience of businesses and communities for sustainable development in Bangladesh.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

Program Management and Coordination

• Coordinate and support the sectoral focal points in the delivery of identified outputs.
• Review and provide inputs to finalize technical outputs and reports from the sectors.
• Coordinate and review activity budgets in line with the overall budget of the program.
• Ensure all information and data/statistics are collected, updated, maintained, and shared through regular progress reports, program performance monitoring sheets, and donor reporting, including the development of data collection tools and templates;
• Monitor sectoral progress against the endorsed BPP work plan and targets.
• Review and provide technical inputs to sectoral focal points in developing promotional materials such as factsheets, brochures, policy briefs, and other related materials as applicable.
• Ensure regular information flow and feedback sharing between the BPP partners.
• Document program activities through activity photographs, videos, and testimonials and disseminate content through various modes of communication.
• Take high-quality pictures and videos with due consent and credit.
• Ensure quality checks and compliance with government and partners’ communication protocols.
• Ensure cross-sharing of BPP activities and progress on various print and digital forums at the national level.
• Perform any other related tasks assigned by the designated project manager.

Working Principles:

The consultant will work closely with the Senior Project Manager based in Dhaka and the Project Management Specialist based in Bangkok, Thailand, under the overall guidance of the Director of Preparedness for Response and Recovery.

Qualifications:

Education:

• A master’s degree in Public Policy, International Development, Disaster Management, Emergency Management, Urban and Rural Planning or any other relevant university degree.
• At least ten years of experience in working with national and international organizations;
• Extensive expertise, knowledge, and experience in the field of Disaster management, emergency response, private sector engagement and institutional development;
• Knowledge and understanding of capacity assessments, business continuity, and functioning of emergency response teams during disasters in the South Asian Region, specifically in Bangladesh;
• Excellent English language skills, both oral and written;
• Knowledge of working ethics of national government agencies, NGOs, private organizations, and international organizations in the Asian region.

Personal Qualities:

• Self-motivated, proactive, and ability to meet deadlines;
• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize work and time independently;
• Verbal and written communication skills in English and Bangla are essential;
• Excellent writing and communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience working in a multi-cultural environment;
• Works well in a team;
• Demonstrated facilitation and coordination experience;

General Requirements:

• Operate within all ADPC Guidelines & Procedures/ Policies
• Operate within specific program needs

Duty Station: Dhaka, Bangladesh, with field missions to program districts when required.

Duration: July – November 2024

Itinerary: During official missions outside Dhaka, the Consultant will be entitled to local/international travel, daily subsistence allowance, accommodation, visa, and other related travel costs as per ADPC policy.