Consultant for Assessment of Indigenous and Local Knowledge for Disaster Resilience and Early Warning

Overview

The consultant will assess indigenous and local knowledge for disaster resilience and early warning systems in Lao PDR, aiming to improve their recognition, documentation, and application.

Tasks Summary

• Conduct a desk review of relevant policies, strategies, and documentation.
• Map institutional frameworks and documented indigenous knowledge practices.
• Develop an assessment framework, methodology, and research tools.
• Prepare and submit an inception report and convene inception meetings.
• Conduct field data collection through surveys, FGDs, and KIIs.
• Document case stories illustrating the use of indigenous knowledge.
• Analyze data to identify patterns, strengths, and gaps.
• Assess complementarities between indigenous knowledge and scientific systems.
• Identify integration points for indigenous knowledge into early warning systems.
• Prepare preliminary findings and facilitate validation workshops.
• Consolidate findings into a comprehensive assessment report in English and Laotian.

Experience Requirements

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, community-resilience, early warning systems, anthropology, sociology, or community-based research.
• Experience in conducting qualitative and participatory research, including community-based assessments.
• Experience in analytical writing and documentation of indigenous, local, or traditional knowledge, or working with diverse ethnic communities in Lao PDR or similar contexts is desirable.
• Experience with national DRR frameworks, early warning systems, and community-based disaster risk management approaches in Lao PDR, including experience working with government institutions at national, provincial, and/or community levels is desirable.
• Experience working with UN agencies or similar international development partners is desirable.

Qualification Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social science (anthropology, sociology etc.), climate change, disaster risk management, environmental science, development studies, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree combined with additional relevant experience may be accepted.

Other Details

Languages Required: Fluency in English and Laotian is required.

Languages Preferred:

Contract Duration: 1 Apr-30 Sep 26

Work Modality: The consultant will be based in Vientiane or any province in Lao, PDR.

Remuneration: