Consultant – Developing the Mass Evacuation in Natural Disasters (MEND) Contingency Plan At International Organization for Migration

Request for Expression of Interest
MU10.REI 2022-101
Position Title: Consultant – Developing the Mass Evacuation in Natural Disasters (MEND) Contingency Plan
Duty Station: Port Louis, Mauritius
Type of Appointment: Consultancy
Estimated Start Date: February 2023
Closing Date: 08 January 2023

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Context:
With the increasing frequency and severity of disasters, it is critical to develop timely, well-planned, and well-managed evacuation processes for the protection and survival of exposed vulnerable people before, during, and after a disaster. Disasters have triggered most internal displacement over the past 15 years. In 2021, 23.7 million internal displacements were caused by weather events such as floods, storms, and cyclones.

Further to a request from the Government of the Republic of Mauritius, and to address the need of identifying the gaps in the government’s climate change preparedness plan and response, a team from the Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative (CADRI) conducted a Diagnosis of National and Local Capacities to manage Disaster Risk in the Republic of Mauritius in 2019, under the leadership of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre (NDRRMC) in close collaboration with the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator. The Cabinet took note in November 2020 of the findings and recommendations of the CADRI Report on Capacity Analysis of Disaster Risk Management for the Republic of Mauritius. The CADRI report informed the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Policy, Strategic Framework and Action Plan, which were completed in March 2021. The CADRI Report highlights that the contingency plans to deal with environmental emergencies “do not systematically include the key elements, such as the potential scenario, the threshold/triggers to activate the plans, the post-disaster assessment process, and the existing capacities and potential financial and technical gaps. This means that all the existing contingency plans are not budgeted and are not scenario-oriented”. The absence of these key elements in contingency planning is a significant gap, as the government and stakeholders are not able to assess the
Disaster preparedness, including contingency planning and response planning, is critical to effective mobilization and coordination of capacities and resources to manage the safe and timely evacuation of all people at risk, to meet emergency shelter and assistance needs, and to ensure that evacuees and others affected can recover from the disruptions and risks created by their displacement safely and quickly.

The CADRI report has recommended the development of a Mass Evacuation in Natural Disasters (MEND) Contingency Plan targeting the local population as well as foreign nationals (migrants and tourists) using the base MEND Guide.
This consultancy is being undertaken within the framework of the implementation of the recommendations of the CADRI report, with funds jointly mobilized by the UN Country Team and managed by the World Health Implementation (WHO) and implemented by IOM.

IOM is thus requesting expressions of interest from consultants to develop a Mass Evacuation in Natural Disasters (MEND) contingency plan for the Republic of Mauritius.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Purpose and scope of the Assignment
The objective of this Consultancy is to support the Government of Mauritius with the development of a Mass Evacuation in Natural Disasters (MEND) Contingency Plan to strengthen its capacity to respond to crises in times of natural disasters, more specifically:
a. Floods
b. Tsunamis
c. Storm surges and tidal surges
d. Landslides (above all in landslide prone/ high-risk areas

The aim is that the Government of Mauritius is capacitated to better respond to crises through safe mass evacuation of people including non-citizens from exposed areas. For this purpose, a contingency plan for the safe mass evacuation in times of selected disasters will be developed to guide the evacuation of people before, during and after crises in the Republic of Mauritius.

The process will include a disaster risk assessment with the mapping of hazards and response capacities in hazard-exposed areas and areas of refuge, involving communities at risk, potential host communities, and local providers of key services such as schools, hospitals, care homes, prisons, public and private transport providers, hotels and civil society organisations.
The following tangible and measurable outputs are expected in the framework of the assignment:
• Conduct an initial review of the literature and documents in relation to mass evacuation in natural disasters
• Conduct a mapping and profiling of key stakeholders relevant to mass evacuation in natural disasters in Mauritius.
• Hold an inception meeting with IOM and key stakeholders, to discuss the assignment and timelines.
• Provide an inception report for the assignment, including the scope of the Mass Evacuation Plan, a detailed work plan, road map, and methodology as well as protocols relevant for the assignment. The inception report will be presented to and validated by stakeholders
including the Ministry of Local Government and Disaster Risk Reduction, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center.
• Conduct an analysis of secondary and primary data gathered using Key Informant Interviews, review of policy and other documents, field visits (above all in vulnerable areas), analysis of maps and other tools as appropriate. It is important to consider and build upon available plans, reports, documents and data that are available as well as any unpublished data sources such as dissertations and other research undertaken on disaster risk reduction management in Mauritius. Consultations with key stakeholders on ongoing and past projects are also programmed.
• Conduct a situational analysis, disaster risk assessment and development of a MEND contingency plan (including a MEND guide). The MEND guide will be presented at a validation workshop with the relevant stakeholders.
• Undertake consultations in the Republic of Mauritius, to create the space for key stakeholders (Ministries, Departments, NGOs, private sector, other UN agencies etc.) to share their views and perspectives to the subject matter of natural and other disasters
• Prepare a MEND Contingency Plan for the Republic of Mauritius which considers disasters related to natural hazards including floods, tsunamis, landslides, storm surges and tidal surges. The MEND Contingency Plan should be scenario-oriented and should highlight the specificities of different types of disasters. Besides, special focus would be given to evacuation of pregnant women, disabled people and children.
• Provide capacity-building sessions and simulations will be provided to key actors in disaster risk reduction to use the Mass Evacuation Plan.
• Present a MEND Contingency Plan for the Republic of Mauritius which considers man-made and technological disasters as well as disasters related to natural hazards including floods, tsunamis, landslides, storm surges and tidal surges at a Validation Workshop
• Address all the comments from the validation workshop, and, update and finalize the MEND Contingency Plan (including a MEND guide).

The methodology must guarantee inclusive participation of all the stakeholders involved. Coordination with the IOM Office in Mauritius shall be ensured throughout the process, particularly regarding in-country consultations.

Timeline
This assignment is expected to start tentatively in January 2023, but the actual timeline is subject to change based on the date the agreement is signed between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Consultant. The assignment shall be completed no later than May 2023.

Deliverables
The Consultant will submit the following deliverables within specified timeframes. All submitted
deliverables are subject to approval by IOM.
• Inception report: The Consultant will produce an inception report including the methodology as to how they will approach the assignment. This will include the breakdown of work and timelines, as well as the proposed provisional agenda and the list of tools to be developed and used for the assignment. The report will also include a stakeholders’ mapping and profiling as well as a situational analysis and disaster risk assessment.
• Capacity building and simulations report: including pre and post assessments, agenda and attendance sheets.
• First draft MEND contingency plan
• Final MEND contingency plan, incorporating all comments received during the validation meeting.

All documents are to be produced and delivered in the English language.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
• Satisfactory level of quality of the abovementioned deliverables;
• Accuracy, depth and relevance of study and materials produced;
• Quality of the contacts established and inputs collected;
• Regular engagement and progress meetings with IOM;
• Timeliness of responses and attendance to meetings, and ability to meet deadlines.

Required Qualifications and Experience
IOM is seeking applications from individual consultants and/or consortiums of individual consultants. The successful (lead) consultant should have a minimum of the following qualifications and experience:
Education
• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Environmental Science, Disaster and Emergency Management or alternatively, from an accredited academic institution
Experience & Skills
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Experience in facilitation and participation with governmental authorities at the national and international levels. Demonstrable knowledge and professional experience in migration, internal displacement, disaster risk reduction and in developing MEND or other disaster risk management tools/protocols.
• Knowledge of disaster risk reduction and management; Knowledge of disaster risks in the context of small Island States; Confident use of social research methods; Proven ability and experience in leading and facilitating training workshops; Knowledge and understanding of disaster risk dynamics in Mauritius; The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines; Strong analytical, reporting, editing and communication skills.
• Proven research experience and ability to write analytical reports in English
• Proven experience in facilitating meetings with government and other stakeholders
• Capacity to conduct surveys and interviews with various stakeholders
• Strong computer literacy and knowledge of statistical software
• Excellent critical thinking and writing skills
• Ability to produce quality work accurately and concisely according to deadlines
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a team of colleagues of varied cultural and professional backgrounds
• Experience in assessment of training needs, training design, implementation and leading workshops and evaluating training

Languages
Fluency in English is required; Fluency in French would be an advantage

Required Competencies
Values
• Inclusion and respect for diversity: encourages the inclusion of all team members and stakeholders while demonstrating the ability to work constructively with people with different backgrounds and orientations.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains impartiality and takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour.
• Professionalism: demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter and willingness to improve knowledge and skills.
Core Competencies
• Teamwork: establishes strong relationships with colleagues and partners; relates well to people at all levels.
• Delivering results: produces quality results and provides quality services to clients.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: shares knowledge and learning willingly, and proactively seeks to learn from the experiences of others.
• Accountability: operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.
• Communication: encourages others to share their views, using active listening to demonstrate openness and to build understanding of different perspectives.