Consultancy for the Development of Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) ACT FORUM South Sudan 40 views0 applications

ACT South Sudan Forum is part of ACT Alliance which is a coalition of more than 140 churches and church-related organizations working together in over 100 countries to create positive and sustainable change in the lives of poor and marginalized people regardless of their religion, politics, gender, sexual orientation, race or nationality in keeping with the highest international codes and standards.

ACT Alliance is supported by 25,000 staff from member organizations and mobilizes about $1.5 billion for its work each year in three targeted areas: humanitarian aid, development and advocacy. ACT Alliance is deeply rooted in the communities it serves. It has earned the trust and respect of local people long before large international interventions scale up, and remains steadfast in its grassroots commitments for many years after world attention has shifted elsewhere. ACT Alliance is a signatory to the highest humanitarian codes and standards, including the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

The vision for ACT Alliance in emergencies is to enable an effective ecumenical response that saves lives and maintains dignity. An effective, quality response is well prepared, timely, coordinated, locally owned and at an appropriate scale to meet need. We strengthen the resilience of affected communities and are accountable to the people affected by crisis. Humanitarian needs define our priorities and the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence guide our actions. Our coordinated advocacy work – at national, regional and global levels – amplifies local voices from affected populations to help address root causes of injustice and promote the fulfilment of human rights and dignity for all.

For several months now, ACT’s Humanitarian Mechanism (HM) has recently been revised. The revised HM addresses the need for improved speed, quality and scale to enable a more effective ACT response to communities and people affected by crisis.

In regard to the above, ACT South Sudan Forum through funding from Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is recruiting for a short term consultancy service for the development of Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) for the South Sudan Forum. The EPRP will assist to develop a swift Emergency Response, through the concerted efforts of the ACT Forum members. Thus, the South Sudan ACT Alliance Forum is seeking a part time Consultant responsible for the development of an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.

The Consultancy is to work collaboratively with Forum members, supporting the Forum Coordinator to develop a functional Plan that will guide ACT members to be more effective and efficient to response to future emergencies.

1. Purpose of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP)

ACT Alliance South Sudan forum would like EPRP developed to serve the purposes of:

v Having preparedness actions in place which are carried out within the context of disaster risk management and aiming at build the capacities of churches and church Organizations associated with ACT Alliance to efficiently manage all types of emergencies and achieve orderly transitions from response through to sustained recovery. A good preparedness plan is based on a sound analysis of disaster risks and strong linkages with early warning systems, and includes such activities as contingency planning, stockpiling of equipment and supplies, the development of arrangements for coordination, evacuation and public information. The related term “readiness” describes the ability to quickly and appropriately respond if required. The consultant will ensure that this developing preparedness plans, there will be effective coordination and consultations and participation with all relevant actors and players.

v To have preparedness planning which identifies actions that can be taken before a crisis to facilitate an effective response once the crisis is under way.

v To establish existing preparedness capacity by ACT Alliance forum members to a range of different situations in South Sudan.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

The objective of this assignment is to facilitate the development of initial Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) and operational plan for ACT Alliance Forum for South Sudan that meets the initial humanitarian needs during the first three to six weeks of an emergency.

This plan shall address the anticipated issues before the onset of a crisis including the potential constraints, specific measures (protocols) in place ensuring readiness to response without delays, with the details of knowing who is doing what, how and where.

It also requires institutionalization and robust adoption of internal and external communications during emergencies, risks involved and definition of scenarios and plans to tackle.

3. Responsibility of Consultant

1. Work closely with the South Sudan ACT Forum coordinator and the ACT alliance Technical members to ensure effective development of the EPRP plan.
2. Ensure effective planning for developing the EPRP, including knowledge management and stakeholder consultation as outlined in the revised ACT Alliance HM.
3. Ensure that information and data from the field is captured, documented, analyzed and reported in a results-based manner
4. To work closely and under the supervision of the Country ACT Forum Coordinator, develop the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) for the ACT Forum
5. Ensure full coherence and alignment of EPRP to the ACT Alliance HM, international guidelines and best practices.
6. Ensure that the EPRP is developed with in the South Sudan context and should be harmonized the ACT Alliance HM Mechanism, guidelines, policies and procedures.
7. The EPRP should include strategies for effective communication protocols which are locally acceptable.

4. Scope of Works

1. Conduct an assessment of the risks that the country’s population faces and which might require a coordinated multisector humanitarian response.
2. Reviewing of existing Risk profile and map.
3. Carryout stakeholder consultation in consultation with the forum members
4. In consultation with the Forum technical team and the Forum coordinator, develop response strategy.
5. Define operational arrangements, plans, roles and responsibilities that ensure for organized and coordinated actions as outlined in the ACT Alliance HRM.
6. Prepare and share presentations during inception and final submission of EPRP.
7. Drafting of Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.
8. Validate the draft EPRP through stakeholder consultation.
9. Finalize the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan based on the stakeholder consultation outcomes

5. Key Deliverables

1. Work inspection report (demonstrating a clear understanding of the assignment, detailing the Proposed Work Schedule with timelines and methodology)
2. First Draft/Template of Plans.
3. Stakeholder analysis report submission and presentation
4. Draft South Sudan ACT Alliance Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) submission and conduct of stakeholder workshop
5. Final South Sudan ACT Alliance Forum Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP).

6. Duration and Time

This consultancy is expected to be executed in a period of (6 weeks) six -weeks that is effective upon signing of the consultancy contract.

7. Terms of Payment

The consultant will be required to submit a financial proposal that has detailed budget breakdown comprising but not limited to:

1. a) Consultants remuneration including assistants
2. b) International Travel and flight costs to the Location of work
3. c) Accommodation and per diems
4. d) Field data collection costs
5. e) Documentation costs
6. f) Reporting
7. g) Visa and
8. h) Work Permit costs
9. i) Taxes in the country of assignment
10. Desirable Qualification

This short term consultancy assignment requires a high level skill, commitment, maturity and motivation to finish within the given time frame.

The desired consultant is therefore required to:

v A degree or masters in humanitarian studies, international relations or disaster management.

v Have high level knowledge, skills and experience in emergency response/humanitarian aid

v At least five (08) years working experience in Disaster Relief / Disaster Risk Management

v Have experience of working and full understanding of South Sudan context

v Demonstrated skills and experience of working with Churches / Understanding Church Context in Disaster relief

v Have excellent facilitation and documentation/report writing skills

v Have excellent communication and analytical skills.

v Possession of strong oral and writing skills in English.

How to apply:

nterested consultant(s) or consulting firms should send an Expression of Interest (EOI) containing technical and financial proposals plus a cover letter, resumes with records of similar assignments previously executed. The technical proposal should include consultants understanding of the Terms of Reference, methodology, proposed list of reference documents and activity schedule. The financial report should include professional fees and other expenses required to undertake the training and the submission should be directed by email to: [email protected] with copy to [email protected] by NOT later than 22^th December 2017.