Consultancy Service for copy-editing a study report and producing synopsis of two different study reports

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services. IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

Details / requirements:

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Consultancy Service for copy-editing a study report and producing synopsis of two different study reports

Forecast based Action and Shock Responsive Social Protection in Nepal

AX25063

11th May 2022

1. Background

There is increasing evidence that acting in anticipation of a disaster rather than solely in response and delivering consistent support to the most vulnerable via government social assistance programs can reduce the impacts of extreme weather events. Acting in anticipation helps to target the right people at the right time and reduce the impacts and costs of response and recovery. Bringing the two concepts together in Nepal – Forecast-based Action (FbA) and Shock Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) – represents a valuable opportunity to improve system delivery, build off innovations, and reduce the disaster burden in one of the world's most disaster-prone countries. However, this idea holds many challenges. There are very few countries where anticipatory action has successfully been integrated into social protection (SP) systems. Mainstreaming the two concepts into Nepal’s social security allowance program (SSA), one of the country's key SP programs, will require careful design, testing and advocacy at many levels.

Nepal is implementing several social protection (SP) programs of which the Social Security Allowance (SSA) is the largest that provides allowance to senior citizens, single women, individuals with disabilities, children, and endangered ethnicities. While the SSA aims to support people with vulnerabilities in regular times, there are ample opportunities of integrating shock-responsiveness in this program to operate and provide additional support right before, during and after a disaster.

The European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid-funded project “Forecast-based Action and Shock Responsive Social Protection in Provinces 5 and Sudhur Paschim, Nepal” is implemented by a consortium formed by Nepal Red Cross Society, Danish Red Cross and Handicap International, led by Danish Red Cross, and with technical/strategic support by the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre.

This project aims to support an approach that integrates greater shock responsiveness and anticipatory action into Nepal’s SSA program, to inform the development of more responsive and anticipatory SP and early actions that protect the most vulnerable before, during, and aftershocks. It will build up from existing research, consultation with stakeholders, experiences of the Covid-19 preparedness and response operations using the SP system in Nepal, simulate possible designs of a shock responsive system and identify approaches with the highest potential, including contingency plans that could be scaled up. Consolidating learning and documenting evidence will serve as a proof of concept to test this innovation and support institutionalization of these systems.

2. Purpose, Objectives, and Audience

Purpose:

Two different studies have been produced under the FbA-SRSP project. First, Safeguarding Social Protection Benefits in disasters(An assessment of disaster-related disruptions to the delivery of social assistance in Nepal). The objective of the study was to identify the ways in which SSA is disrupted along the four business processes of the programme’s implementation: a) Registration and Renewals, b) Data Management, c) Distribution and Payment and d) Grievance redressal. Information on the different challenges that stem during shocks will help inform decisions regarding how the system can be adapted to be used in anticipation of shocks and improved to become shock responsive (ensuring business continuity and integrating adaptations and tweaks to make the system more efficient and effective in meeting needs during and after a disaster). Second, Understanding Barriers and Exclusions in Local Social Security Allowance (SSA) implementation through lessons learned from climate and health related shocks, including COVID-19. The study captures barriers and exclusions faced by the SSA recipients or those who are eligible for the SSA but are still excluded from the service. It also captures the experiences during normal times and during the time exposed to climate and health related shocks including COVID-19.

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide copy editing service for the study reports on“Understanding Barriers and Exclusions in Local Social Security Allowance (SSA) implementation” to ensure that the language is reader friendly, with correct grammars, spellings and punctuations. Then for both the reports, prepare a 4-page synopsis that provides a concise and comprehensive reflection of the full reports.

Objective:

The objective of the consultancy is to produce following products: 

  • Finalize the “Understanding Barriers and Exclusions in Local Social Security Allowance (SSA) implementation” study by providing copy editing service–reader friendly language, correct usage of grammar, spellings, punctuations etc. This study report is 40 pages plus annexes. 
  • Produce a 4-page study synopsis on the two studies: Understanding Barriers and Exclusions inLocal Social Security Allowance (SSA) and Safeguarding Social Protection Benefits in disasters. The second report is 24 pages.

Copyediting is not required for annexes and does not have to be included in the synopsis.

Audience:

The final products will be used as evidence to further the project’s advocacy messages of strengthening the Social Protection programs (Social Security Allowance) to ensure that they are accessible to everyone who is eligible to the service and the program is functional before and after a disaster. The audience for the final products will be relevant government stakeholders at all three governance levels and other humanitarian and development organizations working in the similar areas. 

3. Methodology

  • Meeting with the project team to understand the project and the objective of the consultancy. 
  • Review project documents and external relevant documents to get a better understanding of the project, and understand commonly used language, phrases and terminologies. 
  • Review and edit the study reports.
  • Prepare study synopsis. 
  • Share with the project team for review and inputs.
  • Finalise the reports and synopsis.

4. Roles & Responsibilities

The consultant is expected to work in close collaboration with the Nepal Red Cross Society and the Danish Red Cross. 

Danish Red Cross Nepal country office will supervise the overall process as consortium lead and support the consultant for the consultancy service while Nepal Red Cross Society as implementing partner will be responsible for providing necessary guidance and support for the works related to this assignment.

5. Skills & Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Social science, or related fields.
  • At least two years of copyediting experience preferred.
  • Must have attention to detail and respects deadlines.
  • Must be able to comprehend new information and organize the information in a logical structure. 
  • The vacancy is open for both national and international consultants

6. Budget

The consultant is asked to submit a budget proposal outlining costs for each deliverable as per the due dates for submission of final products:

Activity

Due dates for submission of final products

Copy editing the study report on “Understanding Barriers and Exclusions inLocal Social Security Allowance”

1st June 2022

Produce a 3-page synopsis of the report“Understanding Barriers and Exclusions in Social Security Allowance (SSA) and Safeguarding Social Protection Benefits in disasters.”

7th June, 2022

Produce a 3-page synopsis of the report“Safeguarding Social Protection Benefits in disasters”

14th June 2022

Note: There might be more than one round of review and inputs as per need.

7. Financial Proposal

Submit a financial proposal in NPR, with detailed breakdown of cost and its related activity.

8. Per diem & Travel allowance

Not applicable.

9. Required documents

Interested consultant are requested to submit:

  • CV
  • Relevant work samples. Possibly related to any social protection programs, social or humanitarian sectors. 
  • A financial proposal

How to apply: 

Interested applicants are asked to submit all documents mentioned in the above section, to aliza.baidya@ifrc.org no later than 30th May 2022. The incomplete application in all respect and applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Overview

Category Development and Project
Openings 1
Position Type Contract
Experience Please check details below.
Education Please check details below.
Posted Date 18 May, 2022
Apply Before 30 May, 2022
City Kathmandu