Individual Junior Engineer consultant - SAFER II Project

IFRC ARC is looking for an individual Junior Engineer consultant to provide support under SAFER II Project. Interested candidates should submit their expression of interest along with the required documents (as mentioned below) no later than 05 June 2026, to Ms. Aliza Baidya, e-mail: aliza.baidya@ifrc.org

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

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Junior Engineer for SAFER II Project

May 2026

I. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Nepal is highly vulnerable to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, and increasing climate-related hazards, including drought, heatwaves, and disease outbreaks. These risks are particularly severe in remote districts of Sudurpashchim Province, where poverty, limited infrastructure, and social vulnerabilities increase disaster impacts.

The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), with support from IFRC/American Red Cross, has been implementing disaster preparedness and community resilience initiatives in far-western Nepal since 2017. These include the Mahakali River Inclusive CBDRR Project (2017-2019), Paschim Disaster Preparedness Project (2020-2022), and the SAFER Nepal Project (2023-2025). Under SAFER I, implemented from January 2023 to December 2025, the project worked in Doti and Baitadi districts initially and later expanded to Achham and Bajura districts since January 2024. The project covered 20 communities and12 schools across10 wards, covering 4 municipalities in Achham and Bajura, strengthening community disaster management systems, school preparedness, local government coordination, small-scale mitigation works, Nature-based Solutions, and safe shelter awareness.

Building on the achievements and lessons learned from earlier phases, particularly SAFER I, SAFER II aims to sustain progress in existing communities while expanding resilience interventions to new areas. To ensure quality implementation and technical guidance for mitigation works, safe shelter promotion, NbS initiatives, and vocational skills training, an experienced consultant is required to support project teams at Achham and Bajura to work with the communities, wards and municipalities.

II. SCOPE OF WORK OF THE INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

The consultant will be responsible for:

1. Support SAFER Nepal project team of NRCS to construct/renovate disaster mitigation infrastructures 

• Identify the risk prone areas and options required for mitigation.
• Design estimate of appropriate risk mitigation options consulting with exposure communities and local government.
• Ensure the budget allocation in the detailed implementation plan (DIP).
• Facilitate and take lead to construct/re-construct appropriate mitigation options.
• Prepare the technical report to verify the implementation of mitigation options. 
• Ensure coordination and collaboration with local government while planning and implementing small scall mitigation works.

2. Monitoring and Maintenance Support for Existing Mitigation Works (SAFER Phase I)

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor the condition and functionality of small-scale mitigation works completed under the SAFER Phase I project.
• Assess maintenance needs, structural integrity, and performance of mitigation measures such as retaining walls, drainage improvements, slope stabilization works, and other community-level structures.
• Provide technical recommendations to communities, NRCS district chapters, and municipalities on routine maintenance, minor repairs, and risk reduction improvements.
• Support CDMCs and SMCs in developing simple maintenance plans and monitoring checklists for existing mitigation works.
• Document findings through site inspection reports, photographs, and maintenance recommendation notes.

3. Technical Support for Feasibility Assessment, Planning, and Implementation of Small-Scale Mitigation Works

• Support feasibility assessments for proposed small-scale mitigation works in SAFER II working communities, including site surveys, risk analysis, and basic technical evaluations.
• Assist in preparation and review of simple engineering designs, drawings, measurements, and cost estimates.
• Provide technical input during planning and implementation phases to ensure mitigation works align with approved designs, safety standards, and local regulations.
• Support supervision and quality control during construction, including verification of materials, work personship, and adherence to timelines.
• Coordinate with contractors, CDMCs, and local governments to address technical issues during implementation.

4. Technical Support for Nature based Solutions (NbS) Interventions

• Provide technical support in planning, implementing, and monitoring Nature-based Solutions (NbS) interventions aimed at reducing hydrometeorological risks, such as bioengineering, vegetation-based slope stabilization, riverbank protection, and ecosystem restoration measures in hazard focused areas.
• Support the continuation and scaling-up of NbS interventions in collaboration with communities, municipalities, and technical stakeholders.
• Assist in identifying suitable sites, plant species, and design approaches consistent with local environmental conditions and hazard profiles.
• Monitor performance and sustainability of NbS measures and provide recommendations for improvement or replication.
• Support documentation of good practices, lessons learned, and technical notes related to NbS interventions.

5. Support Project team for advocacy and Technical Promotion of Safe Shelter Practices

• Support advocacy initiatives on safe shelter and resilient construction practices at community and municipal levels.
• Provide technical inputs for community awareness sessions, municipal meetings, and workshops related to safe shelter, hazard resistant construction, building safety and facilitate for communities to demonstrate proto-types design.
• Support dissemination and explanation of safer construction guidelines, building codes, and basic disaster resilient housing principles in a community friendly manner.
• Coordinate with municipalities and local technical staff to promote integration of safe shelter principles into local planning and development initiatives.

6. Technical Support for planning and delivery of Certified Vocational Skills Training

• Provide technical support in planning and implementation of certified vocational training programs aimed at enhancing community skills for disaster risk reduction and mitigation work.
• Support identification of relevant skill/trade areas linked with the disaster risks reduction (eg mason training, carpentry, etc.,
• Assist in development and review of training content, practical modules, and technical standards in coordination with certified training institutions, like CTEVT and NRCS.
• Support IFRC in service provider selection monitoring of training delivery, including quality of instruction, participant engagement, and practical application of skills.
• Assist in documentation and reporting of training outcomes, including number of trainees, skills gained, and linkages to community level risk reduction activities.

7. Crosscutting Responsibilities

• Ensure all technical activities adhere to IFRC standards, NRCS policies/guidelines, national building codes, environmental safeguards, and the “Do No Harm” principle.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation, site records, drawings, photographs, and reports.
• Prepare periodic progress reports and provide technical inputs for project reporting and reviews.
• Perform any other related technical duties assigned by the supervisor in support of SAFER II project objectives.

III. TIMEFRAME

3.1. Timeframe (indicative)

The consultancy assignment will be for an initial period of six (6) months commencing from the date of contract signing, tentatively starting 1 June 2026. Based on satisfactory performance, project needs, and availability of funds, the contract may be extended for an additional six (6) months.

The consultant will be based in Achham District and work from the Nepal Red Cross Society Achham District stationed with the Field Coordinator, with frequent travel to project communities, municipalities, and other working areas in both Achham and Bajura as required for field supervision, technical assessments, monitoring, and coordination.

The consultant is expected to provide services on a full-time basis during the contract period.

IV. OPERATIONS

4.1. Administrative and Logistic Support

The individual consultant will be given a working environment; all other necessary administrative and logistical costs will be borne by IFRC/American Red Cross.

4.2. Reporting Relationship

The consultant will report directly to the NRCS project Field Coordinator. Overall supervision will be provided by the Project Coordinator, NRCS, in coordination with the Program Coordinator, IFRC/American Red Cross Nepal Delegation.

4.3. Quality Assurance and Ethics

All materials produced by the consultant must be in line with ethical values and Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and validated and approved as needed. All compliance requirements as well as the key institutional policies and standards of NRCS, such as the Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA), Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI), Child Protection, etc. must be adhered to by the consultant at all times of the assignment.

4.4. Copyright

All reports, assessments, designs, data, photographs, and materials produced under this consultancy shall remain the property of NRCS, IFRC/American Red Cross and may not be used or shared without prior written approval.

4.5. Dissolution of Contract / Penalty Clauses:

Failure to perform duties satisfactorily, serious misconduct, breach of confidentiality, or repeated delays in agreed deliverables may result in termination of the contract in accordance with contract terms.

4.6. Line of Communication and Coordination

The consultant will work closely with NRCS project line, NRCS district chapters, municipal authorities, community structures, IFRC/American Red Cross focal persons, and relevant technical stakeholders.

V. QUALIFICATION, APPLICATION, AND SELECTION

5.1. Qualification of Individual consultant

The consultant should possess:

• Diploma or Intermediate degree in Civil Engineering, Rural Engineering, Architecture, or related field 
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in infrastructure / mitigation / community-based construction works 
• Experience in DRR, resilience, community infrastructure, NbS and safe shelter with humanitarian programming preferred
• Knowledge of National Building Code, local construction practices, and environmental safeguards 
• Experience in cost and quantity estimate preparation, site supervision, and technical reporting
• Strong coordination, communication, and report writing skills
• Willingness to travel extensively to remote project areas
• Understanding of Red Cross working cultures and principles prefered

5.2. Application Procedures

Interested candidates should submit:

• Cover letter expressing interest and monthly renumeration (consultancy fee) including taxes
• Updated CV
• Copies of academic and professional certificates
• At least two professional references

Please submit your application no later than June 5, 2026, 5:00 PM Nepal Time to aliza.baidya@ifrc.org. In the subject line please include the name of Consultancy- Junior Engineer. Only short-listed candidates/firms will be contacted for further processing. Proposals received after the deadline or incomplete applications in any respect will not be considered.

5.3. Disclaimer on Submission of Proposal

Submission of an application does not guarantee a contract award. NRCS, IFRC, and American Red Cross reserve the right to accept or reject any application, request additional information, or cancel the process without obligation.

VI. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Payment will be made monthly (following AD Calendar) upon satisfactory performance, submission of monthly progress reports, timesheets, and approval by the supervisor.

Monthly payment shall be processed subject to:

• Completion of assigned tasks during the reporting month
• Submission of acceptable monthly report and deliverables
• Certification of satisfactory performance by NRCS / IFRC supervisor

Travel costs will be reimbursed as per the IFRC Nepal HR policy. Applicable taxes shall be deducted at the source as per prevailing laws.