Executive Summary
This consultancy aims to strengthen the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) preparedness and response to extreme rain events in Europe, drawing on lessons from 2021–2024. The work is planned across interconnected phases: a scoping study, a workshop with National Societies to unpack the study and subsequent implementation based on outcomes from the workshop. This consultancy focuses on the scoping study with an option to discuss the design and facilitation of the workshop.
Purpose: To identify learnings and gaps and recommend improvements in RCRC preparedness, response and programming for extreme rain events.
Background
Extreme rain events have become more frequent and severe in Europe, causing widespread humanitarian and economic impacts. Between 2021 and 2024, Europe experienced numerous river floods and flash floods events, many linked to storms and secondary disasters such as landslides and mudslides. This period highlighted the vulnerabilities of communities and systems in the face of changing climatic conditions.
Data from this period underscores the urgency for action:
[2] Tentative/estimated data from flooding events in Spain added manually.
Despite significant investments in flood prevention, early warning systems, and risk communication, disparities remain across the region. National Societies in the EU and Western Europe generally demonstrate higher capacities, while other countries face resource and structural challenges. The RCRC’s ability to adapt to these changes and effectively coordinate across different contexts is critical to reducing risks and ensuring timely, effective responses.
Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of this consultancy and the scoping study is to analyze extreme rain events from 2021 to 2024, assessing how the context is changing, how preparedness and response strategies have evolved and identifying actionable improvements for the RCRC network.
Objectives include:
Scoping study (“What we see”)
The scoping study will
Core Components
Methodology
Guiding questions
The scoping study will be shared with National Societies ahead of the workshop, to allow for increased preparedness of participants.
Deliverable: A Scoping Study (20–25 pages) with a 2-page executive summary and targeted, concrete recommendations of areas to explore to enhance and adapt preparedness and response to the evolving risks related to extreme rainfall.
Workshop (“how we tackle the challenges“)
Note that the design, delivery and reporting on a workshop is not by default included in the ToR as it might require a separate skillset and could also be decided to be done in-house, fully or partially. We invite consultants with the relevant experience to comment on the below and propose their engagement, ranging from the full component to the reporting on the workshop.
Building on the findings of the scoping study, the workshop will convene representatives from National Societies and IFRC to:
Workshop Deliverables:
The Workshop report will guide the subsequent stage where NS and IFRC move forward implementing the recommendations.
Deliverable: Workshop design and facilitation, including an agenda, a facilitation guide, and a workshop report on outcomes.
Timeline and Budget
Indicative Timeline:
Total Working Days: Up to 18 days.
Time Allocation, for budget purposes
From January 2025 until end of Quarter 1-2025 with a maximum of 18 working days to be covered by the consultancy fees.
Indicative timetable | ||
Data collection / desk review | January 2025 | 8 days |
Report writing | January 2025 | 3 days |
Preparation of Workshop | February 2025 | 3 days |
2 full days Workshop,
plus 1 travel day |
February/March 2025 | 3 days |
Preparation of a workshop report and roadmap on next steps, report summary presentation | March 2025 | 1 day |
Total working days for consultant | up to 18 days |
[3] If agreed to be included in the consultancy
Management
The consultant will work remotely, with potential visits to the Regional Office in Budapest during the work on the scoping study. They will report to the Senior Officer for Monitoring and Evaluation at IFRC, collaborating with PMER staff and other stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of outputs. The overall process is led by the Management Team as outlined above.
Schedule for payment of fees
The consultancy fees will be transferred against an invoice after the proper handover and quality-check of the deliverables.
Level of Education: Bachelor Degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: No requirements