Consultant for Strengthening Local Emergency Operation Centers (LEOC)

SCOPE OF WORK

Consultant for Strengthening Local Emergency Operation Centers (LEOC) 

This Scope of Work (SoW) is prepared for consultancy service for technical support  to strengthen Emergency Operation Center (EOC) under BHAKARI program

WORKSITE LOCATION: The scope of work consists 21 working palikas of 6 BHAKARI districts as mentioned in Table1.

Introduction

Mercy Corps Nepal is implementing BHAKARI program from October 2020 to enhance food and nutrition security, reduce future humanitarian caseload and improve the resilience of communities to recurrent shocks along the Karnali river basin (KRB). BHAKARI is a multiyear emergency programming funded by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Affairs (BHA). The program is being implemented in 6 districts (Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Surkhet, Achham, and Dailekh, with cluster hubs in Surkhet and Jumla). The sectoral programmatic intervention includes agriculture and market systems, disaster risk reduction, water for productive use, natural resources management, emergency response to multiple (localized) shocks with GESI – first approach that emphasis on a gender and social inclusion approach, reaching to the most vulnerable segment of the society with integrated multi-sectoral approach.

This SOW is released requesting “Expression of Interest'' for consultancy service to provide technical support from expert(s) with relevant experience to support strengthening Local Emergency Operation Center (LEOC).  The program is implemented in 21 palikas (Table 1) in 6 districts. All districts have established District Emergency Operation Center (DEOC) including LEOCs in 4 palikas.

OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of the assignment is to provide technical support to strengthen Local Emergency Operation Center (LEOC) by undertaking (i) capacity assessment (ii) development of Standard Operating Procedure for LEOC and (iii) simulation of SOP.  BHAKARI envisions LEOC as the coordination hub with the active functions (i) information management (ii) coordination and cooperation with stakeholders (iii) capacity building for effective disaster management (iv) support implementation of disaster management acts, policies and plans.

Specific Objectives of the assignments are;

The overall objective of the assignment is to provide technical support to strengthen Local Emergency Operation Center (LEOC) by undertaking (i) capacity assessment (ii) development of Standard Operating Procedure for LEOC and (iii) simulation of SOP.  BHAKARI envisions LEOC as the coordination hub with the active functions (i) information management (ii) coordination and cooperation with stakeholders (iii) capacity building for effective disaster management (iv) support implementation of disaster management acts, policies and plans.

Specific Objectives of the assignments are;

1. Undertake capacity assessment to identify existing situation and provide recommendations for LEOCs strengthening  not limited to but through as relevant (i) readiness of Local Government for Emergency Operation Center (ii) Stakeholder consultation (iii) Functionality assessment in case of already established operation center(s)
2. Prepare Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) considering disaster management cycle with components such as preparedness, information and database management, search and rescue, relief and response, communication and internal and external coordination including with DEOC, PEOC and NEOC.
3. Outline detailed roles and responsibilities of Palika staff responsible for managing disaster management including key stakeholders such as fire brigade, security forces, ambulance and volunteers etc.
4. Support to undertake simulation within Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan (DPRP) for testing the functionality of SOP.

Methodology

The consultant(s) is requested to submit a detailed methodology to conduct this assignment.  The following are some of the methodology envisaged and not exhaustive to be applied for the assignment.

• Review of relevant policies and reference documents
• Undertake consultation and validation workshops for developing SOP for LEOC
• Link information and findings/recommendations from the ongoing “Early Warning System (EWS) and Weather Information (WI) Assessment” currently in progress deployed by the program
• Stakeholder consultations through Focus Group Discussion (FGDs), Key Informant(s) Interview (KIIs) at the district and palika level including PEOC and NEOC
•  Work closely with the Program team

Deliverables and Payment Schedule

The consultant(s) or consulting firm is expected to deliver the following outputs:

• Inception report that details methodology and tools to be utilized for the assignment with a work plan considering COVID situation.
• Following draft reports for the review and feedback to Mercy Corps Nepal team;
  • Capacity need assessment report one for each palika
  • SOP for each palika 
• Final reports

Duration of Assignment

The scope of work consists of 21 working palikas of 6 BHAKARI districts as mentioned in Table1. The assignment is expected to the completed within April 2021 to June 2021. BHAKARI has envisaged to undertake the assignment through two different service providers one each in Jumla and Surkhet clusters.

Qualifications and experience (Individuals/Firm)

• A service provider/consultant with at least 7 years of experience in Disaster Risk Reduction and humanitarian response.
• Previous working experience on establishment of LEOCs.
• Proven experiences in preparation of Standard Operating Procedures and conduction of simulation.
• Previous working experience with, Government of Nepal, Nepal Red Cross Society, local Governments, bi-lateral organizations and I/NGOs 
• Demonstrated skills on preparing quality reports and other knowledge products.
• Demonstrates regular and consistent communication quality.
• Proficiency in written and spoken Nepali and English languages with demonstrated writing skills.
• Clarity in the proposed methodology and process for achieving deliverables in the inception report. 

Monitoring and Supervision

This Consultant's position is under supervision of the Senior Disaster Risk Reduction Manager and works closely with the District Coordinator, Cluster Coordinator/Lead and district implement partners to achieve program objectives and targets.

Table 1: List of BHAKARI Working Palikas

Process and Required Documents for Submitting the Proposal:

Qualified firms/ Individuals can send their application to np-procurement@mercycorps.org  with the Title “Consultant for  Strengthening  Local Emergency Operation Centers (LEOC)" along with the following documents by 22 April 2021.

• Financial proposal
• Technical Proposal
• Company Profile/ CVs
• Relevant Past Experience list 
• Firm Registration & Renewal certificate (for Firm)
• Copy of VAT Registration Certificate (for Firm)
• Latest Tax clearance certificate (for Firm)
• Copy of Pan card (for Individual consultant)