Regional Disaster and Preparedness Consultant – West and North Africa Hub (WNAH)

• Location/Duty Station: Remote (to cover 24 countries in WNA)
• Projected start date: December 15, 2023
• Reports to: MERL and Project Support, Snr Associate, West & Northern Africa Hub (WNA)
  Contract terms: Independent contractor, hourly with variable hours, estimated full-time. Seven-month initial contract with opportunity for extension.
• Contract terms: Consultant, hourly with variable hours, estimated full-time. Seven-month initial contract with opportunity for extension

The Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team United States, Inc. (HOT) applies the principles of open source and open data sharing for humanitarian response and economic development. Founded in the wake of the Haiti earthquake of 2010, responders and organizations recognized the need for accurate, accessible maps to aid in humanitarian response and the potential for international development interventions. Since then, HOT has utilized its network of tens of thousands of volunteers to contribute to OpenStreetMap, the free and editable map of the world. HOT’s network and tools enable everyone, local or international, to have an impact by putting places on the map.

The West and Northern Africa Hub (WNAH) is a branch of HOT that covers 24 countries in the region with the mission of making open data and free software a decision-making tool for development focusing on communities. The WNAH works with humanitarian organizations, governments, civil society, private operators, institutions, and other actors to use OpenStreetMap (OSM) tools; data collection, spatial analysis, and state-of-the-art cartographic production are the essential tools that the Hub will promote for socio-economic decision-making.

We want to be closer to communities so data and maps can be a tool for analysis and decision-making to improve people’s lives. Through a regional approach, by assisting local communities using open-source mapping data, tools, and software, we intend to contribute to community development by improving their livelihoods.

Regional Disaster and Preparedness Project
The Regional Disaster and Preparedness project aims to have a better understanding of disasters, whether caused by nature or humans, that have the potential to cause immense harm to communities and regions. These events, ranging from earthquakes to floods, have severe consequences that require a coordinated and comprehensive response. Recently, the increased frequency and intensity of such disasters- the Libya floods and the Marrakesh earthquake have emphasized the crucial need for solid disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies at a regional level.
To effectively address challenges related to disasters, it is necessary for different groups – including governments, civil society organizations, international agencies, private sector entities, and local communities – to work together. Capacity building, infrastructure improvement, and better coordination among stakeholders are essential investments to enhance the region’s ability to respond and prepare for disasters. Through collaboration, we can build resilience and protect vulnerable populations from the adverse impacts of disasters.

The project aims to achieve the following, and the selected consultant will be responsible for these tasks;

• Conduct comprehensive research on all known disasters occurring across the 24 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea (Centrale), Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo) in the region.
• Develop a detailed and spatial visualized report of the research findings.
  One report on each Country and one consolidated regional report using web maps to show regional disasters in the past ten years and the stakeholders involved and their roles.
• Build an internal database of disasters, impact, population, vulnerable communities, hazards, exposure, countries, response actors, data, and map needs.
• Identify the role and responsibility of different actors (Government, Institutions, CSO, stakeholders) in disaster responses.
• Share any existing response mechanism to disaster in the region
• Identify any opportunity for collaboration with external partners and funding Institutions
• Conduct a validation workshop with crucial representatives from each of the 24 countries.
• Submit a final report, including workshop recommendations.

Responsibilities:

As part of the duties, the consultant is expected to fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Serve as WNAH’s lead representative to engage critical stakeholders (involving government, humanitarian actors, private sector, affected communities, and Civil Society) and conduct data needs and use case assessments.
• Conduct Desk Review to acquire relevant information/data from critical stakeholders
• Connect WNAH to potential partnership opportunities
• Design and build an internal database showing known disasters, their impact, population, vulnerable communities, hazards, exposure, countries, response actors, data, and map needs.
• Develop disaster maps for the 24 countries in the West and Northern Africa hub.
• Organize and execute a validation workshop with crucial representatives from each 24 countries.
• Regular check-ins with WNAH’s Project Manager to update project progress
• Prepare and submit detailed reports and visualizations of the research findings
• Develop and share a blog post on the project’s impact on WNAH’s release.
• Collect testimonies, anecdotes, and stories from disaster-impacted communities, SO, Governments, stakeholders, etc.
• Submit milestone reports based on the work plan
• Submit a final report, including workshop recommendations.

Proposal Requirement:

• Detailed information about your experience and qualifications in disaster preparedness and mitigation.
• A proposed project plan outlining the approach and methodology you will use to achieve the project objectives. The assignment is remote at 80%; however, a physical presence will be needed for the workshop., Experience in using OpenSource tools or other geospatial platforms
• Explain how you will use spatial analysis of disaster hotspots per country to support the final report.
• Include a financial proposal
• Show references and examples of previous work related to this assignment.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in disaster preparedness and mitigation, with a track record of successfully implementing similar projects at a regional level.
• Good connection with stakeholders, Institutions, CSO Governments,…. working on disaster in the region
• Strong understanding of regional disaster risk factors, response mechanisms, and relevant policies and frameworks.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills to engage with diverse stakeholders and facilitate collaboration.
• Ability to read, write, and speak (professional) English and French
• Show proof of working on related projects in the last two years
• Exhibit self-motivated and strives for continuous improvement in this sector of assignment
• Ability to submit technical (spatial and data analysis), narrative, and on-time

Evaluation Criteria:
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Qualifications and experience
• Technical approach and methodology
• Cost-effectiveness Financial proposal
• Demonstrated understanding of regional context