Myanmar: Consultancy: Case Studies on DRR and CCA in Rakhine State, Myanmar

Malteser International in Myanmar is seeking to hire a consultant team (1 international and 1 national consultant) to carry out field-based research for the documentation of most significant change stories and best practices of Malteser International’s disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation programme in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

Background and Rationale

Since 2013, Malteser International is implementing a six-year DRR program funded by the German Government (BMZ) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in 66 villages in five townships in Rakhine State, Myanmar. The program aims to strengthen disaster resilient communities by developing a community-based, replicable model to strengthen local capacities for climate change adaptation through the development of disaster preparedness plans and the introduction of early warning systems in combination with the reforestation of mangroves for improved coastal protection. Communities’ capacities are built to protect their livelihood from the consequences of climate change and to prepare for potential extreme climate-events and natural hazards.

The project is currently implemented in partnership with local partner organisations. To date, Malteser International and its partners have implemented several community-based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation activities in 66 villages in Sittwe, Rathedaung, Pauktaw, Myebon and Ponnagyun townships, Rakhine state. The community-based activities encompass participatory risk assessments, the development of community-based climate change adaptation plans, trainings in first aid, search & rescue and evacuation, simulation exercises, and construction of small-scale infrastructure to mitigate risks. In addition to the community-based DRR components, the project includes a mangrove reforestation and afforestation components to protect coastal villages from strong winds and cyclones and coastal erosion.

Objectives

Malteser International is committed to capture the learning from all its work to ensure better programming and implementation. The case studies aim to document success stories, lessons learned and shed light on possible improvements. The case studies will be published and are envisaged to make a significant contribution to the knowledge base of disaster risk reduction for both Malteser International and relevant DRR partners in Myanmar as well as globally.

Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of the Partner & Programme Coordinator, the consultant team shall undertake qualitative, participatory field research in cooperation with Malteser International and its local partner organisation to explore and document best practices and stories from the communities about how the disaster risk reduction program changed their lives. For purposes of internal learning, also negative stories shall be considered. Collected stories and best practices shall be compiled as case studies in one publication in Malteser International’s Corporate Design ready for publication.

The consultant team shall apply qualitative and participatory methods, especially:

1. Most Significant Change (MSC) method to collect stories of change

2. In-depth interviews

3. Impact photography

Field work will take place in selected villages out of a total of 51 villages in 5 townships, Sittwe, Pauktaw, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun and Myebon.

The consultants should take all reasonable steps to ensure that the case study respects and protects the rights and welfare of the people and communities involved and to ensure that it is technically accurate and reliable.

Responsibilities of Malteser International:

• Provide the consultant team with all necessary background information about the project
• Local travel and accommodation
• Introduction of the consultant team to the partner organisation, communities and local authorities
• Guidance throughout all phases of the assignment

Deliverables

The consultant team will produce the following deliverables:

1. One week after leaving the field: Proposed outline of the publication including a compilation of collected most significant change stories and best practices in draft form
2. Compilation of high quality photographs. Appropriate photographs should be identified and included in the stories, along with captions, which can be used to illustrate the case study.
3. Final deliverable: One publication with a collection of most significant change stories and best practices as case studies including photographic documentation supporting the changes witnessed, which should be: (a) ready for publication in Malteser International’s Corporate Design (templates will be provided), (b) no more than 25 pages (including pictures), (c) clear, easy to read and jargon free, (d) including 5 to 10 stories, (e) designed to enable sharing of lessons learned - internally and externally.

The target audience for the case studies are

• Internal: shared between staff and volunteers to inform and promote good practice.
• Externally the primarily audiences are DRR practitioners and policy makers in Myanmar and within Malteser International

The case studies will be published by Malteser International and widely disseminated within and beyond Myanmar.

Timeline

It is expected that the assignment will take approximately 20-25 working days within the months of September and October. A work plan is to be agreed between the consultant team and Malteser International, with all work finalized by 31 October 2016.

Professional qualifications

Selection of the consultant team will be based on the following qualifications:

• Experience in DRR, CCA and related work
• Experience in conducting qualitative and participatory field research, especially in applying the Most Significant Change (MSC) method
• Working experience in Myanmar and/or Rakhine State
• Proven track record of case studies/best practice papers for publication
• Demonstrated capacity to deliver high quality outputs within a proposed timeframe
• Professional fluency in English and Myanmar (individual consultant team members)
• Valid Myanmar visa

Interested consultant teams (1 international and 1 national consultant) are invited to submit the following documents via email to Serge Birtel, Partner & Programme Coordinator (serge.birtel@malteser-international.org).

• Curricula Vitae (CVs)
• Technical proposal outlining how the consultant team plans to conduct the assignment, including methodology and approach and a draft work plan
• Budget including a breakdown of all costs
• At least two sample work written by candidates, which most similar to that described in this ToR
• Names and contacts for three referees

Applications should be received by close of business on the 21 August 2016. Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted candidates contacted within 5 working days of the closing date.