Call for Applications for Consultant for PEER Book
Position Title: Consultant for PEER Book
Third Announcement: 31 March 2021
Second Announcement: 18 March 2021
Expected Duration of Assignment: May 01, 2021 to Aug 31, 2021
Background
The National Society for Earthquake Technology - Nepal (NSET) is implementing the Program for Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER) Stage 4 (2014-2021) in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, with participation of program extension countries, namely, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka in selected regional events. In previous program stages of PEER, NSET has also implemented the program in Indonesia and the Philippines.
PEER is a regional training program initiated in 1998 by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), formerly Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), to strengthen and institutionalize capacities in emergency and disaster response in participating Asian countries.
PEER aims to reduce mortality in mass casualty events and increase survival rates of disaster victims in the program countries, through implementation of the following core courses:
» Community Action for Disaster Response (CADRE)
» Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR)
» Medical First Responder (MFR)
» Hospital Preparedness for Emergencies (HOPE)
» Swift Water Rescue (SWR)
Instructors' development courses [Instructor Workshops (IWs)] for CADRE, CSSR, MFR and HOPE are also in place to complement these emergency responders' trainings.
As PEER Stage 4 ends on September 30, 2021, a tangible and enduring documentation of PEER achievements in the region is imperative.
Job Summary
The Consultant will be responsible for the stated duties and responsibilities in connection with writing/documenting the experiences, achievements, insights leading to institutionalization of PEER in the beneficiary countries covered by NSET, namely, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and Philippines.
Main Task:
The Consultant will collect, record, compile, analyze, synthesize and write a PEER book with the details, including historical development/thrusts, experiences, lessons learned, achievements, insights leading to institutionalization of PEER in the beneficiary countries, in a professional English writing and book style, as per NSET requirements and within the target timeline.
Specific Activities
This position for Consultant is based in Kathmandu, Nepal (home- and office-based, as needed) for the duration of the work assignment, and shall perform the duties as warranted for by NSET requirements, PEER scope and activities, including, but not limited to the following:
» The Consultant will submit his/her work plan reflecting the approach and methodology, work/time plan and an extended outline of the PEER book. The Consultant will commence the job after approval of the work plan.
» Proper collection, recording, analysis, reporting and documentation of all information as approved by NSET.
» Conduct interviews (if/as required) with program partners and prepare report on findings which will include but not limited to:
i. Impacts/successes/achievements, identification of key gaps/issues/challenges and lessons learned;
ii. Documentation of course of action/strategies/implementation changes made;
» Writing the book contents based on all available program information, to include written reports and photos, as additional references for the written work;
» Generate the written PEER book with program photos, infographic, charts, maps, etc. that would strongly highlight program achievements by the countries.
» Ensure that the information are generated accurately and reflect the status of progress towards reaching the program objectives and overall goal.
» Conduct review with NSET professionals or assigned PEER experts and incorporate their feedback to finalise the PEER book.
Supervisor and work team
The Consultant will be supervised by the Director, Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response (DPER), NSET and Lead Trainer of PEER. The Consultant will work closely with designated Supervisor, PEER Book Adviser, and NSET-PEER team. Periodic meetings among the Consultant, PEER Book Adviser and Supervisor, for discussion and progress reporting will be planned. The Supervisor may ask the Consultant to present the milestones in in-house meetings.
Duration
The short-term assignment is estimated for a period of approximately 60 working days, from March 15, 2021 to June 15, 2021. Extension beyond the agreement period will be subject to proper justification, i.e., program needs, satisfactory performance and continued funding.
Deliverables
The following is a set of deliverables, with the expected timing of each adhering to the tentative work timeline.
1. A work plan containing the proposed outline/timeline; information collection methodology and an implementation schedule, to be submitted and discussed with NSET prior to commencing the work.
2. An in-briefing/presentation with NSET upon his/her the joining the team.
3. A PowerPoint presentation to NSET management of the preliminary findings, conclusions and recommendations on the written work, for correction of errors of fact or interpretation, to be delivered within 6 weeks of Consultant's joining the team.
4. A draft of written work of not more than 50 pages in length, double-spaced in Arial 12 point font, excluding annexes, with an executive summary of not more than 2 pages in length, within 6 weeks of the Consultant's joining the team. The draft shall be submitted to NSET two (2) working days prior to the presentation (no. 3).
5. A final draft of the written work within 10 working days of receipt of consolidated comments in electronic format from NSET.
6. All deliverable/s will be based on the requirements of NSET. All written and edited documents must be submitted electronically to NSET by email to Director, DPER NSET. All the written works for the PEER book must be submitted as non-proprietary, machine readable files to NSET. 7. The literature/materials refereed in the book need to be properly cited/acknowledged and listed in the bibliography. The materials collected in the course of this task need to be managed in a separate folder and submitted to supervisor with final report.
Tentative Timeline:(Tasks/Deliverables and Target Dates)
1. Commencement of assignment, presentation of work plan. (May 01, 2021)
2. Information collection and writing proper. (May 02 to August 31, 2021)
3. Presentation/submission of initial draft. (July 3, 2021)
4. Revision and additional improvements on the first draft. (July 4 to 14, 2021)
5. Presentation/submission of second draft/receive inputs from NSET. (July 17, 2021)
6. Work on the final draft. (July 17-26, 2021)
7. Presentation/submission of the finalized work. (July 28, 2021)
8. Submission of final format/layout for dummy printing. (August 2, 2021)
9. Review/copy editing/proofreading of dummy print. (August 9, 2021)
10. Submission of final work for printing. (August 11, 2021)
11. End of assignment. (August 15, 2021)
Qualifications:
The following qualifications and experiences are required for the completion of the assignment:
» Interested candidates must be Nepal nationals based in Kathmandu;
» Minimum university degree in communications and English language studies, journalism, social sciences or related arts and humanities field;
» Additional training and considerable work experience (minimum 3 years) in editorial writing, copy editing, and proofreading;
» Knowledge and experience in other writing styles and requirements an advantage;
» Preferably, has experience in writing publications for governmental and non-governmental sectors, but not required;
» Excellent spoken English and writing skills.
» Good understanding of disaster preparedness and emergency response mechanism in national and international context.
» Strong knowledge and understanding of the international or regional development environment in Asia, specifically in the PEER Stage 4 core beneficiary-countries, namely, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan; and also about Indonesia and Philippines, a plus.
» Good interpersonal skills, ability to work with multi-cultural environment, and ability to work independently towards delivering the tasks;
» Good organizational and coordination skills;
» Computer proficiency including internet use and Microsoft Office.
To Apply
Please send a cover letter with your updated curriculum vitae (CV) and minimum of 2 samples of previous work with references. The cover letter should detail the reasons why you believe you are most suitable for the assignment and also mention your remuneration expectations for this role. Applications to be sent by email to: vacancy@nset.org.np, with copy to peer@nset.org.np, with subject line: Consultant for PEER Book - PEER Stage 4.
Applications should be addressed to:
The Executive Director
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Nepal
Deadline of submission of applications is by April 09, 2021. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
