Back Consultant

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Dakar

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 05-MAY-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

CONTEXT

Liberia and Sierra Leone, on the Atlantic Coast of West Africa, are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability and change, particularly the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, flooding, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and windstorms. The combination of poor sewage systems, inadequate building regulations, and a heavy reliance of their economies on climate-sensitive sectors (agriculture, forestry, mining) exacerbates these vulnerabilities. In Liberia, the predominantly flat landscape and heavy rainfall patterns, coupled with projected increases in rainfall and temperature, further heighten the risk of flooding. Similarly, Sierra Leone experiences frequent floods, landslides, mudslides, and coastal flooding, leading to infrastructure destruction and epidemic outbreaks. Both countries face challenges related to institutional capacity, data gaps, and coordination in disaster risk management. Recognizing the urgent need to strengthen flood response and preparedness, this consultancy aims to assess existing systems, identify gaps, and develop a comprehensive action plan for capacity building.

OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this consultancy is to strengthen response and preparedness to flooding in Liberia and Sierra Leone by:

• Assessing the effectiveness of existing Early Warning Systems (EWS) and identifying areas for improvement.
• Identifying knowledge gaps in risk data, monitoring, and decision-making for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies
• Evaluating the coordination and crisis management mechanisms among relevant stakeholders.
• Developing a comprehensive capacity-building action plan for EWS, monitoring tools, and enhanced coordination for Disaster Risk Management.

  TASKS

  3.1 Assessment of Early Warning Systems (EWS):

  • Conduct a thorough review of existing EWS for flood forecasting and warning in both countries, including consultations with relevant government agencies, local communities, and technical institutions, as well as a desk review of existing policies and operational frameworks.
  • Evaluate the technical capacity and operational effectiveness of current EWS, including data collection, processing, dissemination, and community engagement.
  • Identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the existing EWS.
  • Recommend specific measures for strengthening EWS, including technological upgrades, improved data collection, and enhanced communication strategies.

    3.2 Identification of Knowledge Gaps:

    • Assess the availability and quality of data on flood risks, including meteorological, hydrological, and socio-economic data. This with an emphasis on utilizing GIS, remote sensing, and historical flood records to identify gaps in data collection and analysis.
    • Identify gaps in data collection, monitoring, and analysis for effective risk assessment and decision-making.

      Long Description

      • Evaluate the capacity for data management and utilization for DRR planning and implementation.
      • Recommend strategies for improving data collection, analysis, and dissemination, including the use of remote sensing, GIS, and other relevant technologies.

        3.3 Evaluation of Coordination and Crisis Management Mechanisms:

        • Conduct consultations, map and analyze the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders involved in flood risk management, including government agencies, local authorities, civil society organizations, and communities.
        • Evaluate the effectiveness of existing coordination mechanisms for disaster preparedness and response. A focus should be given to inter-agency collaboration between national DRR authorities, local governments, civil society organizations, and international partners. (The objective will be to identify opportunities for improving multi-stakeholder coordination, information sharing, and response protocols)
        • Identify challenges and bottlenecks in inter-agency coordination and information sharing.
        • Recommend measures for strengthening coordination and crisis management, including the establishment of clear protocols, regular simulation exercises, and improved communication channels.

          3.4 Development of capacity-Building Action Plan

          • Based on the findings of the assessments, develop a comprehensive capacity-building action plan for EWS, monitoring tools, and enhanced coordination.
          • The action plan should include specific activities, timelines, responsible parties, and resource requirements.
          • The action plan should address the specific needs of vulnerable groups, including women and children.
          • The action plan should prioritize the development of sustainable and locally appropriate solutions.
          • The action plan should include a section for the improvement of meteorological and hydrological data gathering capabilities.

            DELIVERABLES

            The consultant will submit the following deliverables:

            • Deliverable 1: Inception Report-