Tenders Are Invited For Developing A Handbook For Working Groups For Strengthening Disaster- Resilient Local Governance

Tenders are invited for Developing a Handbook for Working Groups for Strengthening Disaster- Resilient Local Governance in Kerala. Closing Date: 26 Oct 2026 Type: Consultancy The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is an autonomous international organization established for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes with a vision of safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1986 as a technical capacity-building center, ADPC has grown and diversified its expertise across social and physical sciences, envisioning safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction. Being an autonomous international organization governed by the Board of Trustees. It supports sustainable solutions for disaster risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas, with a wide range of professional expertise from atmospheric scientists to social scientists with experience at all levels of engagement typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) effectively. ADPCs Strategy 2030 guides the organization in providing comprehensive risk reduction support to countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific, with various programs being implemented under 15 strategic themes by three departments, namely the Preparedness and Climate Actions, Risk Analytics and Climate Services, and Risk Governance and Financing. In addition to these, ADPC also works on three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Diversity, Innovation, and Regional and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees. These activities are supported by proactive individual departments of Finance, Human Resources, and Administration. ADPC recognizes the importance of examining the linkages between disaster risk management, poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainability, rights-based approaches, climate change, and regional cooperation. For details, please refer to the ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net/. B. Department Introduction The Preparedness and Climate Action (PCA) Department of ADPC advances ADPC Strategy 2030 by strengthening disaster preparedness, anticipatory action, emergency response, resilient recovery, and climate resilience across Asia and the Pacific. The department works with governments, national and local institutions, civil society organizations, volunteer networks, the private sector, communities, and other traditional and non-traditional actors to promote inclusive, locally led, and whole-of-society approaches to disaster risk management. In line with ADPCs strategic priorities, PCA supports countries and communities in developing and operationalizing preparedness, response, recovery, and climate action frameworks, plans, systems, and capacities before, during, and after disasters. It also promotes localization, gender equality and social inclusion, innovation, regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and partnerships to ensure that disaster preparedness and climate action are practical, evidence-informed, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of at-risk communities. C. Statement of Intent The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), under the INSPIRE Program, is providing technical assistance to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), in collaboration with the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA), to strengthen disaster risk governance and institutional capacities in Kerala, with particular emphasis on risk-informed local governance and strengthening the capacity of Local Self Governments (LSGs). Keralas decentralized governance system provides a strong institutional platform for integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation (CCA) and resilience into local development planning. Working Groups within LSGs play an important role in participatory planning, situation analysis, identification of development needs, project formulation, prioritization, and monitoring. However, LSGs-Working Groups are not equipped with adequate practical tools for mainstreaming DRR, CCA and resilience into local development planning and implementation. Based on the findings of the Learning Needs Assessment undertaken under the INSPIRE program, the State Steering Committee recommended that a Handbook for Working Groups LSGs should be developed to facilitate effective integration of disaster and climate risks into local development processes. In this context, it is proposed to develop a handbook for LSG Working Groups to facilitate mainstreaming DRR, CCA and resilience into local development planning. D. Purpose of the Assignment The purpose of the assignment is to develop a practical handbook for LSG Working Groups with a special focus on the LSG DM Working Group (13th Working Group) to enhance their technical capacity, provide operational clarity, and facilitate mainstreaming of DRR, CCA, and resilience into development planning across developmental sectors, thus promoting disaster-resilient local governance. The objectives of developing the Handbook are to: clarify the mandate, roles and functions of the Disaster Management Working Group at different LSG levels. provide practical guidance and define mechanisms for integrating DRR and CCA into local development plans, budgets, projects and monitoring systems. provide practical tools, templates, checklists and frameworks for use by Working Groups to integrate DRR and CCA into local development planning and implementation. support Working Group members to translate identified risks into DRR/CCA interventions and project concepts, including linkage with relevant planning and financing opportunities across development sectors. strengthen the technical competency of Working Group members on disaster risk, vulnerability, climate risk and resilience. strengthen coordination and convergence between the Disaster Management Working Group and other sectoral Working Groups. promote inclusive, gender-responsive and participatory approaches to local disaster risk governance. strengthen monitoring of preparedness, disaster management plan actions, and priority interventions. establish a roadmap for strengthening and institutionalizing the LSG DM Working Group. E. Expected OutputsOutputs/Deliverables Inception Report and Detailed Work Plan, including understanding of assignment, methodology, stakeholder engagement approach and work schedule Timeline: Within 2 weeks Desk Review and Gap & Need Assessment Report Timeline: Within 1 month Draft Note for the Handbook Conception Workshop, including presentation of findings and proposed handbook framework Timeline: Within 2 months Detailed Handbook Framework and Finalised Chapter Structure, including proposed tools Timeline: Within 3 months Zero Draft of Handbook along with Tools-Templates, Checklists Timeline: Within 4 months Revised Draft incorporating Expert Panel Review Recommendations Timeline: Within 5 months Pilot Testing and Validation Report, including documentation of user feedback and recommendations Timeline: Within 6 months Final Handbook and Practical Tools, incorporating all agreed comments and pilot-testing findings Timeline: Within 7 months Final Consultancy/Completion Report and Presentation summarising the assignment, consultations, key findings, revisions and recommendations Timeline: Within 8 months Note The sequence may be adjusted with the agreement between ADPC and KSDMA. The final handbook should be submitted in editable source format and final publication-ready PDF format, along with editable versions of all tools and templates. F. Scope of Work The scope of work will include, but will not necessarily be limited to, the following: 1. Desk Review and Needs Assessment The consultant shall: Review relevant national and state policies, guidelines, frameworks, and institutional arrangements related to: Local governance and decentralized planning; Disaster management; Disaster Risk Reduction; Climate Change Adaptation; Local Disaster Management Plans; GPDPs and other local development planning processes; Working Group functioning; and Social inclusion and gender-responsive planning. Review relevant existing manuals, guidelines, tools and training materials. Review relevant national and international good practices on strengthening local disaster governance and Working Groups. Identify institutional, operational, technical, knowledge and capacity gaps affecting the functioning of LSG Disaster Management Working Groups. Identify opportunities for convergence between DRR, climate action and local development planning. Output: Baseline and Gap Assessment inputs/report. 2. Stakeholder Consultation and Handbook Conception The consultant shall support ADPC and KSDMA in conducting a stakeholder consultation/workshop for handbook conception. The consultant shall: Present key findings from the desk review and needs assessment. Facilitate technical discussions on the proposed handbook scope and structure. Consult relevant LSG representatives, government departments, technical institutions, experts, and other stakeholders. Identify practical requirements and user needs. Facilitate co-design and co-creation of the handbook framework and chapterization. Finalize the proposed chapter structure and thematic areas in consultation with ADPC and KSDMA. Identify the practical tools required under each thematic area. Output: Agreed handbook framework and chapter structure. 3. Content Development and Draft Handbook Preparation The consultant shall develop the chapter-wise contents and draft the Handbook as per the agreed framework and chapter structure. The consultant shall: Develop chapter-wise contents as per agreed structure. Draft templates, checklists and other such tools as agreed. Draft the Handbook along with al Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4234962/re-ad-developing-handbook-working-groups-strengthening-disaster-resilient-local-governance-kerala