Climate Resilience Training and Capacity Development Officer At Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

A. About Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC):

ADPC is an autonomous international organization with a vision to reducing disaster and climate risk impacts on communities and countries in Asia and the Pacific region by working with governments, development partners, international organizations, NGOs, civil society, private sector, media, and other key stakeholders.

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. ADPC has 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 is a competent regional resource center and has seven thematic departments: ADPC Academy, Risk Governance, Climate Resilience, Urban Resilience, Health Risk Management, Preparedness for Response and Recovery, Geospatial Information. These are supported by Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Strategic Planning departments. In addition to the departments, ADPC 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.

With financial support from the World Bank Group, ADPC is implementing a five-year (2020-2025) project, titled “Climate Adaptation and Resilience Project (CARE) for South Asia”. The project aims to create an enabling environment for climate resilience policies and investments across South Asia. This objective will be achieved through enhanced regional cooperation and knowledge exchange for climate resilience and adaptation and mainstreaming of resilience and adaptation in national policies, plans, and investments.

For details, please refer to ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net/

B. Background:

Disasters take a huge toll on the development agenda of South Asian countries. Between 2000 and 2017, disasters in South Asia incurred estimated damages of US$ 149.27 billion. Public expenditure is under stress by the repeated need to reallocate capital budgets away from long term development planning and towards reconstruction activities in post-disaster environments. For example, since 2005, Pakistan has suffered losses on the order of US$ 16 billion due to natural disasters. In Bangladesh, the 2007 Cyclone Sidr resulted in damages and losses of US$1.7 billion or 2.6 percent of GDP.

South Asian countries face extensive climate-related impacts that have adverse consequences for its population and sectors including agriculture, water, and transport. This region experiences a high occurrence of extreme weather events, such as cyclones and floods, which have devastating impacts on human lives. Addressing these climate-related impacts in South Asia requires a comprehensive approach, including adaptation and mitigation measures.

To increase resilience and achieve climate commitments, there is a need for a transformational shift toward policies and institutions that enable climate-resilient investments. Investing in more resilient infrastructure is both profitable and urgent as disruptions are extremely costly for governments, households and the private sector and large ongoing investments in infrastructure assets will have long-lasting repercussions as poor maintenance and natural disasters result in a vulnerable stock.

The regional Climate Resilience Training Officer will be hired with the objective to support the regional and country project teams to smoothly implement the capacity-building activities and thus assist in contributing to an enabling environment for climate-resilient policies and investments in select sectors and countries through the project activities identified by the Sector Focal Points in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.

The needs of the Sector Focal Points were verified through a scientific approach where ADPC conducted detailed Capacity Needs Assessments in each of the countries with respect to the focus sectors. Based on this assessment the trainings are designed and will be carried out under the project.

CARE already conducted 3 trainings for 219 officials up to date. The project aims to conduct 16 trainings for another 480 trainees in Bangladesh, 22 trainings for another 660 trainees in Nepal and 16 trainings for another 700 trainees in Pakistan.

In this setting, a qualified and motivated regional Climate Resilience Training and Capacity Development Officer will be required to support the Project Implementation Unit and the country teams in the overall coordination for capacity development under the project.

C. Statement of Intent

The regional Climate Resilience Training and Capacity Development Officer will provide overall coordination and support for training activities under the project to increase understanding of climate-resilience adaptive policy-making, design, and solutions in priority sectors, and offers technical support and capacity building for the relevant stakeholders.

Note:

It is not the intent of this Terms of Reference to cover every aspect of the position requirements, rather to highlight the most important areas of personal and joint responsibilities.

D. Duties and Responsibilities

The Climate Resilience Training and Capacity Development Officer shall provide the following inputs:

• Coordinate the designing and implementation of training programs under CARE for South Asia project which would include close coordination with the firms for capacity development and Sectors Leads of CARE for South Asia.
• Coordinating with firms and relevant project partners and Sector Focal Points to ensure that trainings are aligned with their needs and priorities.
• Maintain a training and events calendar to ensure the timely delivery of training to the Sector Focal Points in the project countries.
• Coordinate the Monitoring and evaluating of training programs with regards to satisfaction and effectiveness of training programs and making recommendations for improvements.
• Lead preparation of reports on training activities and outcomes and maintain documentation of training programs and materials.
• Perform other relevant tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

E. Expected Output/s

• Finalized Project training calendar
• Reviewed training modules developed by the firm
• Finalized Technical and operational action plan for training activities for the project
• Monthly progress update reports on the training programs under the project
• Finalize documentation of the pre and post-training evaluations by the trainees from each of the trainings under the project
• Finalize all training reports under the project
• Develop partnerships with in-country training institutes for possible uptake of the module prepared under the project

F. Qualifications

The regional Climate Resilience Training and Capacity Development Officer must have experience in supporting the capacity building activities on disaster risk management and/or climate change adaptation work. The detailed qualifications are:

• A master’s degree or equivalent in environmental studies, disaster management, development studies, international relations, social sciences, or a related field;
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in training and capacity development, preferably in disaster management or related fields;
• Strong technical knowledge and experience in disaster management, risk reduction, and emergency response. Experience in designing and implementing training programs, conducting assessments, and developing training materials;
• Fluency in English (both written and spoken) is essential;
• Knowledge of Urdu/Bangla/ Nepali would be an asset;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, Community-Based Organizations, NGO partners, and local communities;
• Cross-cultural awareness and ability to work amongst a diverse group of staff, and partners;
• Candidate based in Bangkok or willing to relocate to Bangkok, Thailand would be preferred;
• Required computer proficiencies: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams.
• Work experience in South Asia is not required but preferred

G. Reporting Relationship

The regional Climate Resilience Training and Capacity Development Officer will report to the Project Director and work in close coordination with the Project Implementation Unit, Project Manager and Sector Leads.

H. Contract Duration

The contract duration will be for 12 months with a possibility of extension based on the needs of the project.

Expected start and end dates: TBD

I. Selection Method

The consultant will be selected in accordance with ADPC’s recruitment process and in compliance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations.