TERMS OF REFERENCE
Consultancy : TECHNICAL CONSULTANT for the ASCEND Baseline Study
Reporting to : ASCEND Project Coordinator
Duration : Max of 65 working days (between August – November 2020)
BACKGROUND
The ASEAN Standards and Certification for Experts in Disaster Management (ASCEND) project seeks to create a regionally recognised certification scheme for professions in disaster management to ensure and promote higher standards and quality in the management of disasters in the region. ASCEND can also be beneficial in identifying competent disaster management professionals in the region with a strong capacity to manage disasters to reduce the loss of life, respond effectively, recover more quickly, and decrease disaster risks throughout the ASEAN region wherever possible.
Through the generous funding from the Republic of Korea, the AHA Centre will implement the ASCEND project for three years in collaboration with the Korean National Fire Agency (KNFA) of the Republic of Korea. The project will be critical for the development of ASCEND since the AHA Centre will focus on the pilot application of the ASCEND Framework in identified ASEAN countries, which will be selected voluntarily. The objectives of the ASCEND are as follows:
A. To enhance the capacity of the ASEAN countries in the implementation of ASCEND.
B. To establish regionally recognised competency standards and assessment process covering five professions in disaster management.
C. To improve the capacity of the AHA Centre to serve as the ASCEND secretariat.
D. To promote understanding of the ASCEND Framework among the ASEAN Member States (AMS) and other sectors in ASEAN in preparation towards the inclusion of ASCEND into the ASEAN Mutually Recognised Agreement (MRA).
OBJECTIVE AND DELIVERABLES OF THE BASELINE STUDY
To implement the ASCEND programme, the AHA Centre must prepare and conscious of the success factors. It is deemed particularly necessary to get a clear picture of how the ASEAN member states perceive the ASCEND idea. Also, and understand what has already been available in the country (policy, system, institution, infrastructure) that can support the ASCEND pilot implementation and accelerate the scaling process.
The first focus of the study is to understand the perspective of the ASEAN member states regarding the idea of having common standards and certification process in the disaster management sector. This will include understanding the needs, interests, and expectations of each ASEAN member state toward the common standards and certification in the disaster management sector.
The second focus of the study will identify the supporting factors that exist in each of the selected ASEAN member states. This includes, but not limited to, the availability of policies, system, institutions, and infrastructures such as the National Professional Certification Agency and Competence Certification Offices, as well as the strong buy-in and interest from the key stakeholders.
By deeply understanding the needs and supporting factors in each ASEAN member state, the study will inform the AHA Centre on the most feasible operational design and implementation strategy of the ASCEND. This will be the basis for technical and non-technical preparation of the project, including supporting the decision on the most feasible countries for the pilot implementation.
Minimum key deliverables of the baseline study are:
· A set of prerequisites for smooth implementation of the ASCEND programme in countries within the ASEAN context.
· A synthesise report of the perspectives, needs, interests, and expectations of AMS toward the common standards and certification process in the disaster management sector.
· A situation analysis report on the readiness of each AMS in implementing the pilot ASCEND programme.
· List of the government’s key stakeholders and their actual status on the national initiatives on the standardisation and certification.
· Report of review and recommendations on the current design and strategy, in comparison with the study findings.
· Recommendations on the most appropriate strategy and feasible countries for pilot implementation of the ASCEND project.
TASKS FOR THE CONSULTANT
1. Prepare the study methodology with the AHA Centre and agree on the objective and scope of the study.
2. Prepare the research questions in consultation with the AHA Centre to identify the response, perspectives, needs, and interest of the ASEAN member state relating to the ASCEND implementation.
3. Propose a set of tools which will be used to collect information, as well as to identify the readiness of a country in implementing the ASCEND pilot project.
4. Conduct data collection through documents review, key informant interviews or other methods. Consolidate, synthesise, and provide analysis of the data gathered.
5. Synthesise and report the results of the desk study, interviews, and situation analysis.
6. Review the current ASCEND project design and strategy, in comparison with the study findings.
7. Provide recommendation on the most feasible design and strategy for project implementation, including prioritised countries.
8. Submit the work in the format of MS Word, PPT and oral presentations within the agreed timeline, along with all supporting documents, interview respondents list, and other pertinent documents used in the study.
9. Perform other duties related to the baseline study of the ASCEND project as mutually agreed with the AHA Centre.
CRITERIAS FOR CONSULTANT
1. Preferably a master or PhD degree in related fields, with extensive experience in working professionally in education, training, standards, and certification.
2. Knowledge and experience on humanitarian assistance and disaster management, including ASEAN disaster management mechanisms and political context, will be an advantage.
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, a sample of publications will be required.
4. Excellent research and interview skills in English.
5. Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
6. Able to work flexibly and responsive to changes as part of the review and feedback process, while keep committing to meet deadlines.
7. The consultant will be based in Jakarta for the duration of the work.
CONSULTATION FEES
The consultation fee (excluding the travel expenses) and the total number of working days (maximum of 65 days) shall be calculated based on the agreed work plan and quality of deliveries (submitted by the consultant).
APPLICATION
Interested applicants are invited to submit their application with indication of fee, CV, sample publications (i.e. journal, report, article, book, etc.) and a completed AHA Centre Employment Application Form
All documents can be sent via email to admin@ahacentre.org by the latest on 10 September 2020.
The Selection Panel's decision is final and only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
For more information on AHA Centre, please visit www.ahacentre.org.