Scope of Work: 
Tanzania’s hazard and vulnerability profile has changed dramatically in recent years as a result of climate change. Recently, the frequency and magnitude of such hazards have been rising. Currently, more than 70% of all disasters are linked to recurrent droughts and floods, which are likely to be exacerbated by the impact of climate change and the most prevalent hazards over the past 20-year period are floods (40%), epidemics (34%), earthquakes (9%), drought (6%) and storms (6%). Due to its geography, Zanzibar experiences disasters related to climate change more extensively than

Tanzania Mainland. The expected sea-level rise, sea surface temperature and increased ocean acidification negatively affect many low-lying archipelago areas, including coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Falling water tables, depleted fisheries, reduced crop yields, and warming of lagoons used for seaweed farming are some of the consequences affecting prospects for the blue economy.

Despite the achievements attained following implementation of disaster management interventions in the country, there have been several challenges in disaster risk reduction including increase in frequency and magnitude of disaster events, high likelihood of trans-boundary disasters, inadequate integration of disaster management issues into development planning processes, inadequate public engagement and awareness, lack of comprehensive multi-hazard early warning system and inadequate use GIS and ICT in disaster risk management.

UNICEF supported the Disaster Management Department/Commission in the Office of the Prime Minister (Mainland) and Second Vice Presidents Office (Zanzibar) to assess existing data and information infrastructure and systems that will inform the development of a robust emergency information and communication system to enable communities’ early action, the Disaster Monitoring and Information System. A requirement document for the emergency information and communication management system has been developed and a road map of implementation is in place.

UNICEF is seeking a consultant to support the Office of the Prime Minister (Mainland) and the Second Vice Presidents Office (Zanzibar) in the implementation of the DMIS roadmap.

The consultant will work closely with the Focal Points in the Disaster Management Department/Commission in the Office of the Prime Minister (Mainland) and Second Vice Presidents Office (Zanzibar) and liaise actively with the Steering Committees / Workgroups created by both institutions to lead the development of the DMIS. This might include multilateral and bilateral coordination as a group or directly with stakeholder institutions of the development of DMIS.

Specifically, the consultant will be expected to: 

1. Support coordination, monitoring, and quality assurance in the implementation of the DMIS development.

1.1. Attend and actively participate in DMIS Steering Committee / Workgroup meetings.

1.2. Conduct monitoring visit to both PMO and VPO to assess implementation status.

1.3. Document progress and share monthly reports with UNICEF.

1.4. Jointly with UNICEF Emergency Specialist, organize quarterly virtual/physical meetings with both partners to assess implementation status.

2. Provide technical support to VPO and PMO-DMC

2.1. On request, provide any technical assistance and/or technical advice required by VPO (DMC) and PMO-(DMD) related to the necessary software development process.

2.2. Mediate, if required, the technical dialogue between the developers’ team and the VPO and PMO-DMD technical teams

2.3. Conduct onsite technical support to the DMIS system developer both at PMO and VPO. These support activities should occur at least once per month.

2.4. Prepare monthly/quarterly progress reports and share with UNICEF.

3. Closely collaborate with the Govt’s selected developer team on DMIS development progress

3.1. Assist in coordinating the works of PMO’s, VPO’s and DMIS software developer to monitor progress of the DMIS system developer and identify challenges. These coordination moments should occur at least once per month.

3.2. Liaise, as necessary, bilaterally with VPO-DMC; PMO-DMD; system developer; and multilaterally with groups of stakeholders to ensure adequate coordination and minimum disruption to the expected workplan of each party.

3.3. Prepare monthly/quarterly technical report and share with UNICEF.

Overall, the consultant will prepare and share monthly/quarterly technical reports with UNICEF documenting progress, challenges and remedial/recommendations to improve. In case a serious risk or delay to the project is identified, the consultant shall alert the UNICEF Emergency Specialist and proceed to call for a coordination meeting with all stakeholders.

Deliverables: