Consultant for GIS Mapping and Data Visualisation

IFRC/BRC Nepal is looking for consultancy services for GIS Mapping and Data Visualisation

Interested applicant should submit their expression of interest along with the documents mentioned in ToR to Ms Aliza Baidya at aliza.baidya@ifrc.org  by 02 October 2023

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Consultant for GIS Mapping and Data Visualisation

IFRC/British Red Cross Supported Project- Pilot Project for Climate Smart Programming

Summary

1. Background 

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) share a common goal to reduce vulnerability, achieve sustainable development and share a common conceptual understanding of the components of risk and the processes of building resilience but while DRR looks at past and current risks that communities know and are familiar with; climate change adaptation relates with measures implemented to address climate variability and change. A Climate smart programming and operations make use of available climate and weather information both short-term weather and seasonal forecasts and long-term climate projections which will contribute to reducing long-term risks and vulnerabilities and help the most vulnerable communities anticipate, prepare, respond, and recover from disasters, including likely unprecedented extreme events.

Currently, there are various tools and guides developed by RCRC for mainstreaming DRR and CCA into programming such as Enhanced Vulnerability & Capacity Assessment (EVCA), The Nature Navigator Handbook, A guide to mainstreaming DRR and CCA, etc However there are limited resources or practical guidance on how to make the DRR and CCA programming and operations climate smart. This has been posing practical challenges to programme and operations team to adjust to the new contexts of increased uncertainties, growing vulnerabilities, scarce resources, future trends, and long-term changes in climate in general. IFRC together with RCRC Climate Centre has recently launched a guide on climate-smart programming and operations (CSPO) offering “how to” for RCRC members, in particularly national society staff and volunteers to improve existing programming and operations by including the use of climate information across timescales during various steps of programme development or intervention planning. This provides IFRC/BRC a unique opportunity to roll out the CSPO together with other RCRC tools like EVCA and Nature Navigator Handbook and seek guidance on the best possible climate-smart solutions with existing and future DRR and CCA programmes that suit local context and climate.

IFRC/BRC through it’s regional DRR/CCA funding in Asia, is developing a climate-smart programming operational model that will be adapted and contextualized on the aforementioned RCRC tools and guides in Nepal and Bangladesh in technical collaboration with the Climate Centre and local Nature-based Solutions (NbS) consultant in Dhangadi which is one of the project districts of the Resilient Livelihood project in Nepal. 

2. Scope of work

IFRC/BRC is commissioning this consultancy service to produce GIS maps for a climate-smart programming operational model which is being piloted in two wards of Dhangadi Sub Metropolitan city by NRCS Kailali district chapter. 

Specific to this, the consultant will work with diverse team members to:

• Produce GIS maps using information from assessments and secondary data.
• Regularly update GIS maps to produce aesthetic project maps and data visualization products.
• Support project team in integrating GIS maps and information in tools and processes.
• Build capacity of the project team in GIS

3. Methodology

At the start of the work, in consultation with the NRCS and IFRC/BRC team, a detailed work plan will be developed to meet the above-mentioned expectations. Available data/information on EVCA will be reviewed to identify data/information gaps and planning for collecting missing data from the field will be developed jointly. An inception report encompassing timelines, data collection methodology, and data visualization will be developed by the consultant within 15 working days.

For day-to-day work, the consultant will work with IFRC/BRC Sr. Technical Coordinator Officer and IFRC/BRC PMEAL officer. Strategic guidance will be provided by IFRC/BRC Regional DRR and IFRC/BRC UKO IT. NRCS Programme Manager and DPC in the district will provide support when in field to collect data required for mapping.

4. Deliverables/expected outputs.

• Produce digital community map that includes risks, vulnerabilities, and capacities that communities and their ecosystem are exposed to multi-hazards based on data collected and compiled from field visits (critical data that are not included in EVCA and ecosystem-based assessment) and assessments.
• Field visit to work with the NRCS field team as and when required.
• Based on climate risk projections and emerging trends as indicated in the EVCA and ecosystem-based assessment map out potential areas in target communities and the broader ecosystem of wards 17 and 19 in consultation 
• Use GIS mapping, data sourcing, management, and analysis to produce figures and metric reports as required by the programme team.
• Codes and digitizes maps and geographic feature data into various GIS layers.
• Determines appropriate data compression techniques, resolutions, sizes, colour maps and depths to ensure that images and delivered at a sufficient speed and quality for optimal intended media output. 
• Respond to information provided by the programme team and experts (Climate Centre and NbS) to make needed changes in maps in a timely manner. 
• Maintains accurate records of layer and map creation activities and list of atlas holders.
• Build the capacity of the project team in GIS.

5. Timeline

The tentative start date is 15th October 2023, and all deliverables are expected to be completed by 29 February 2024. A work plan with clear timelines for completing the entire deliverable will be agreed upon mutually with concerned IFRC/BRC and NRCS team members.

6. Payment schedule

The payment will be done as per follows:

• The payment will be done on monthly basis based upon the monthly progress report.

7. Consultant profile

Essential criteria

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Geography/ Geographic Information Systems.
• Demonstrated experience of at least 3 years in developing data visualization products using relevant GIS software. 
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills both in English and Nepali. 

Desired criteria

• Strong understanding of gender equality and social inclusion in Nepal (or demonstrably similar contexts).
• Understanding of RCRC movement.

8. Expression of Interest

Nepali citizens with similar work experience are encouraged to apply. The interested individual consultant should submit an expression of interest including both a Financial Offer and a Technical Offer. These include the following:

8.1. Financial Offer- This consists of a detailed financial proposal for the delivery of the services outlined above, with costs broken down significantly for each component and sub-component.

8.2. Technical Offer- A method statement/proposal outlining the proposed approach to ensure quality is maintained throughout the duration of the contract and how they propose to meet the Terms of Reference. 

To include: 

• Curriculum Vitae 
  • CV of the individual consultant for the task, with a focus on similar assignments. 
• Evidence of previous work  
  • Examples of similar communication pieces, learning capturing documents, analysis reports, etc.
  • Three References from the organization(s) for whom those pieces of work were contracted.
• Timeframe: Tentative start and end date for completion of all deliverables.
• Approach paper, including work plan, budget, and availability (maximum 3 pages).

Female consultants are highly encouraged to apply for this piece of work. There will be no discrimination on the base of caste, ethnicity, or ability during the selection process. The organization will take every possible step to ensure that everyone is treated equally and fairly and that decisions on recruitment and selection are based solely on job-related criteria.

9. Date of application submission 

Interest Nepali applicants can apply within 14 days of notice publication.

10. Award Procedure

The IFRC/BRC and NRCS team screens all the applications on the following ground to decide the successful person to work as a volunteer.

• Academic background- 50%
• Knowledge of relevant computer software- 40%
• Level of the English language- 10% 

11. Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Rights

“Intellectual Property Rights” refers to any patent, copyright, design right, community design right, registered design, rights in know-how, or any similar right in any part of the world and shall include any applications for the registration of any patents or registered designs or similar rights capable of registration in any part of the world.

Intellectual Property Rights

• All Intellectual Property Rights whatsoever in any work produced by the Contractor and/or the Individuals for British Red Cross shall belong to British Red Cross absolutely and the Contractor hereby waives and shall procure that the Individuals (or any individuals it uses in any capacity to provide or assist in providing the Services) waives any moral rights or any other rights whatsoever which it may have in such work and will, at the expense of British Red Cross, take or join in taking such steps to vest such rights in British Red Cross or enforce the same on behalf of British Red Cross as British Red Cross shall require.
• The Contractor shall indemnify the British Red Cross (as appropriate) against any costs claims demands expenses or liabilities arising from a claim brought against the British Red Cross by a third party alleging infringement of its intellectual property rights arising from the use of British Red Cross of the Services provided by the Contractor.

The Red Cross emblem is a protective symbol, the use of which is restricted by international and national law. It may not be reproduced without prior authorization. For more information, about the emblem, please go to www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/Who-we-are/The-international-Movement/The-emblem.

11. Confidentiality

All information collected by the consultant (firm/individual/learning partner) on behalf of NRCS and IFRC/BRC will remain the property of NRCS and IFRC/BRC and require explicit permission by both parties for any use not stated here.

12. Application Procedures

Interested candidates should submit their application and supporting materials by 2nd October 2023 to the following e-mail: aliza.baidya@ifrc.org

Please mention “Consultant for GIS Mapping and Data Visualisation” in the subject line of the email. Application materials are non-returnable and only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next step in the application process.

Documents: 

• Project EVCA assessment report
• Brief Proposal
• Logical Framework of Actions.