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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, right. 

Nepal ranks eleventh on global risk for earthquakes that is omnipresent across Nepal. The impact can be catastrophic in western part of Nepal as suggested by various studies. The newly practiced federal government still lacks coordinated responses in many areas. Despite being an independent government, the limitation on resources at local levels of western Nepal often leads to insufficient and ineffective mobilization of resources during any major crisis or emergency response. The unplanned urbanization leads to add more risk in the pre-existing vulnerabilities.

Recognizing the threat of impending earthquake and its potential impact in the western region of Nepal, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) is supporting the capacity-building of Nepal’s Local and Provincial Governments in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). Under the 2024 Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP), ECHO has funded the SUPER II project, implemented by a UNDP-led consortium, including UNICEF, UN Women, and Handicap International (HI). This initiative focuses on Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces, specifically targeting the urban municipalities of Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, and Birendranagar. The project’s primary objective is to institutionalize urban and earthquake preparedness and response, creating stronger linkages between provincial and federal mechanisms. A key emphasis is placed on inclusion, addressing the needs of vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities. The project also aims to scale successful interventions both within and beyond the target areas.

How can you make a difference? 

The SUPER project has developed Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) at both local and provincial levels through a participatory and consultative process involving provincial and local governments and other key stakeholders, as well as district authorities. These BCPs provide a comprehensive framework to ensure that municipal, district, and provincial services and facilities can promptly resume or continue their critical functions immediately following a crisis.

This assignment will specially impact the urban municipalities of Dhangadi in Sudurpaschim Province, Nepalgunj in Lumbini Province, and Birendranagar in Karnali Province. It supports the institutionalization of Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) and the development of Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans (EPRPs)/Disaster Preparedness and Response and Plans (DPRPs). At the provincial and municipal level, the response capacities of the three provinces and three municipalities will be enhanced by institutionalizing preparedness actions through government-led mechanisms, particularly in the development of BCPs and DPRPs. The unique beneficiaries of this initiative include the populations of the three targeted urban municipalities, as interventions like Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans (EPRP), Local Emergency Operation Centers (LEOC), Business Continuity Plans (BCP), volunteer management systems (VMS), and simulation exercises are designed to institutionalize urban preparedness, benefiting the entire population.

Simulation exercises at municipal and provincial levels, including joint exercises, will evaluate the responsiveness and effectiveness of the response system, particularly the Business Continuity Plan (BCP). These exercises will test critical community services such as electricity, water supply, access, healthcare, fire services, and markets. The Chamber of Commerce will participate in the BCP-focused simulations. Additionally, joint exercises will assess the coordination and collaborative efforts between municipalities and provinces.

Overall objective: Operationalization of the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for critical services,

including ambulance, fire brigade, communication, water supply, and electricity, etc. through

stakeholder and resource mapping, private sector engagement, and backup planning for essential

services.

1.2 Specific Objectives: The specific objectives of the assignment are as follows:

• To update/review Business Continuity Plan (BCP) developed in three provinces for Ministry of Interna Affairs and Law and two sub-metropolitan cities Dhangadi and Nepalgunj, in close coordination with LDMC and local chamber of commerce integrating critical services, including ambulance, fire brigade, communication, water supply, electricity and Protection related essential services, with consideration to GEDSI sensitivities.

• To develop the BCP in Birendranagar municipality, Surkhet, in close coordination with LDMC and local chamber of commerce integrating critical services, including ambulance, fire brigade, communication, water supply, electricity and Protection related essential services, with consideration to GEDSI sensitivities.
• To ensure government led updation, an ad-hoc task team constituted by the inclusive committee, under chair of Peace security and disaster management section at province level and coordinated by DRR focal points of province and municipality, will be established. The IC will have to work in close coordination with the task team together with the SUPER project team of each provinces and municipalities.
• To conduct the assessment of stakeholders (hospital, ambulance, fire brigade, electricity authority, telecom, water supply, internet service providers, OPDs, etc.) and resource mapping, private sector engagement, and backup planning for essential services, BCP review and maintenance schedule.
• To conduct risk analysis and develop risk management plan, conduct business impact analysis, validate strategic plans, develop crisis management plan, response management plan, mitigation strategies and recovery strategies for developing BCPs.
• To assure that the systems at all tiers continue to operate in a crisis with a functional decision-making through designated surge mechanisms and command systems to provide all essential services, including referral support services during and after disasters.

Scope of Work:

To provide inception report and details workplan with clear methodology on developing business continuity plans.

• Provide inception report and details workplan with clear methodology on develop and update of Business continuity plans (BCP).
• Review the BCP’s of Nepalgunj sub-metropolitan city and Dhangadi sub-metropolitan city to aid in formulating/strategizing BCP for Birendranagar Municipality.
• Consult with BCP focal persons of local and provincial government to identify the priority activities which are essential for the BCP.
• Maintain close coordination at provincial and municipal during the process of developing/updating business continuity plans.
• Conduct business impact analysis and Risk analysis at local and provincial level.
• Develop business continuity strategic plan derived from information collected from risk analysis and business impact analysis process.
• Develop comprehensive mitigation strategies, response management plan, alternative plans
• incorporating existing contingency plans and response plans considering GEDSI sensitivities.
• Develop recovery strategies including methodology for damage and impact assessment,
• resuming critical processes aftermath of disaster considering GEDSI sensitivities.
• Orient diverse stakeholders on revising strategies and plans based on new information and hazard response experience, making BCP as a living document.
• Facilitate for the preparation of BCPs for non-government entities and private sectors considering GEDSI sensitivities.

Methodology:

The detailed methodology will be proposed by the consulting firm/Individuals and shall be agreed with SUPER project team.

• Travel to project locations and work closely with designated SUPER II staffs and its partners, Provincial and local government staff to build in information acquired from different consultations, including dissemination of methodology for comprehensive mapping to municipal and provincial government..
• Provide orientation to relevant technical staffs from metropolis/municipality, province and project stakeholders at the respective local level, on importance of BCP for emergency preparedness.
• Collect required data with respective municipal and provincial stakeholders (hospital, ambulance, fire brigade, electricity authority, telecom, water supply, internet service providers, etc.) in coordination with SUPER II project staffs.
• Lead workshops/consultations for formulation/update and validation of BCPs at local and provincial level. Facilitate for collection of required information for developing BCPs during workshop.
• Validation of BCPs through workshops at municipal and provincial level.

Expected Outputs:

The key expected outputs of the task are: -

• The municipality lead Local Disaster Management Committee (LDMC) successfully operationalizes the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for critical services, including ambulance, fire brigade, communication, water supply, electricity and GEDSI/Protection related essential services.
• Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law (MoIAL) lead Provincial Disaster Management Committee (PDMC) successfully operationalizes the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for critical services, including ambulance, fire brigade, communication, water supply, electricity and GEDSI/Protection related essential services.
• Stakeholder and resource mapping, private sector engagement, and backup planning for essential services, including Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs), will be effectively conducted and tested.
• The LDMC, PDMC in coordination with the Chamber of Commerce, ensures the alignment and testing of the BCP with municipal and provincial disaster preparedness and response plans.

TASK:

Provide technical support for the preparation of Business Continuity Plan for the three provincial administration and three municipalities.

First Deliverable:

Submission of inception report with methodology and detailed work plan as highlighted above in the scope of work section.

Second Deliverable:

Submission of first draft of Business continuity plans and its drills

Third Deliverable:

Validation and endorsement of plans

Final Deliverable:

Submission of final Report with Process documentation with recommendations

Duration:

The duration of the assignment is for 60 working days over the period of six months, tentatively staring from end July 2025

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Education:

Master’s degree in DRR/management/Environment science/social science/urban planning

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in DRR, urban planning, hazard- risk assessment, DRR policy and plan formulation.
• Excellent and proven track record of previous partnership, preferably with Government of Nepal, UN agencies, and local bodies, in the field of urban mapping, hazard- risk assessment.
• Sufficient human and technical resources with relevant education and experience in the field of DRRM, plan and policy formulation and risk assessments in Nepal.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

female candidates and candidates from the under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.