Position Vacant 

HANDS is a leading non-profit organization operating in 65 districts across Pakistan, committed to  improving health, education, infrastructure, WASH, disaster management, inclusive development, and  social institutions, while empowering marginalized communities. The organization has extensive  expertise in implementing participatory and sustainable programs that prioritize women, children,  older persons, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). HANDS is supported by a 14-member volunteer  board, a workforce of 10,000 professionals, and thousands of community-based volunteers from over 7,500  partner organizations, enabling effective collaboration with government agencies, UN partners, and local  communities to deliver scalable, impact-driven programs. 

HANDS requires a Consultant at the HANDS Office Karachi/Dadu Position: Consultant 

No. of Positions: 01 Male/Female 

Place of Posting: HANDS Dadu Office 

Age Limit: 35 to 55 Years 

Reporting Line: Head of Humanitarian & Inclusive Development (HID) Department /Program  Manager HID at Head Office & District Executive Manager, Dadu 

Qualification: Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Disaster Risk  Management, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Public Health, or  related field. 

Experience: 10-15 Years 

Assignment Duration: April 01, 2026 to April 18, 2026 

Last date to apply March 29, 2026 

Sent All Proposals To [email protected] 

Required Skills for Consultant: 

➢ Demonstrated experience in contingency planning and disaster preparedness, particularly  in climate-related hazards (e.g., heatwaves, droughts, & Floods). 

➢ Strong understanding of disaster risk reduction (DRR) frameworks and humanitarian  coordination mechanisms in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh. 

➢ Proven experience in conducting vulnerability and risk assessments using GIS tools and  participatory methodologies. 

➢ Familiarity with socio-economic vulnerability indicators and local-level data collection. ➢ Hands-on experience in designing and delivering training programs or workshops for  government bodies, particularly PDMAs, DDMAs, and district-level officials. ➢ Knowledge of adult learning principles and participatory training techniques. ➢ Experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and community  stakeholders. 

➢ Strong facilitation and coordination skills for multi-stakeholder engagement. ➢ Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in Sindhi & Urdu  languages is an asset. 

➢ Ability to produce high-quality reports, policy briefs, and presentation materials. ➢ Strong organizational and time management skills. 

➢ Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively under tight  deadlines. 

➢ Willingness to travel to provinces and districts as needed. 

Other Requirements: Stakeholder engagement, computer skills including MS Office and Emails,  time management, report writing.

1. Background of Assignment: 

Sindh province, particularly District Dadu, is increasingly vulnerable to the growing intensity and  frequency of extreme heat events due to climate change. Heatwaves pose severe risks to public  health, livelihoods, and essential services, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations  including women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and low-income  communities. In recent years, recurring heatwave events have highlighted significant gaps in  preparedness, coordination, risk identification, and timely response at district and community  levels. 

In response to these challenges, HANDS, with the support of START Network through the READY  Pakistan initiative, is implementing the Heatwave National Reserve (Preparedness) Project in  District Dadu, in close coordination with DDMA Dadu and PDMA Sindh. As part of this initiative, a  District Heatwave Contingency Plan (2025) has been developed to guide coordinated actions, early  warning dissemination, and emergency response mechanisms. However, effective preparedness  and response require not only planning but also systematic identification of high-risk areas,  vulnerable populations, and critical preparedness gaps through vulnerability mapping and  technical assessments. There remains a need to translate the contingency plan into an evidence based, operational framework that integrates risk analysis, early warning triggers, and  anticipatory actions for timely and targeted response. 

To address this need, HANDS intends to engage a qualified consultant to support the activation  and operationalization of the District Dadu Contingency Plan (2025) through vulnerability  mapping, technical assessments ensuring improved targeting of interventions and strengthened  disaster risk reduction (DRR) outcomes. 

2. Objectives of Assignment 

2.1. Overall Objective: 

To strengthen district-level preparedness and response to heatwave emergencies in District  Dadu by operationalizing the District Heatwave Contingency Plan (2025), conducting  vulnerability mapping and technical assessments for effective and targeted heatwave  management. 

2.2. Specific Objectives: 

➢ To conduct vulnerability mapping and technical assessments to identify high-risk areas,  vulnerable populations, and critical preparedness gaps.  

➢ To review and update the District Heatwave Contingency Plan (2025) to ensure it is risk informed, practical, and aligned with early warning and anticipatory action frameworks.  ➢ To develop an operational and activation framework with clear triggers, roles, coordination  mechanisms, and SOPs for effective heatwave response.  

3. Scope of Assignment 

The consultant will be responsible for conducting vulnerability mapping, technical assessments,  to operationalize District Heatwave Contingency Plan (2026). 

3.1. Inception and Planning 

➢ Conduct a desk review of all relevant documents, including the contingency plan, hazard  data, demographic profiles, and policies from PDMA Sindh and the Health Department.  ➢ Develop an inception report outlining methodology, including approach for vulnerability  mapping, risk analysis, and technical assessments, work plan, and stakeholder  engagement strategy. 

➢ Identify key stakeholders and define a consultation approach for effective coordination  and validation.  

3.2. Vulnerability Mapping and Technical Assessment 

➢ Conduct field-based and desk-based vulnerability mapping to identify heatwave-prone  hotspots across District Dadu.  

➢ Analyze exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of communities to determine high risk areas and vulnerable population groups.  

➢ Assess critical gaps in Preparedness and response systems, Health facility readiness and  service delivery and Early warning dissemination and community outreach  

➢ Develop risk maps and analytical summaries to support evidence-based planning and  prioritization.  

3.3. Review and Gap Analysis of Contingency Plan 

➢ Conduct a comprehensive technical review of the existing contingency plan in light of  findings from vulnerability assessments.  

➢ Identify gaps related to Risk targeting and prioritization, Operational readiness and  implementation mechanisms, Early warning and trigger-based action systems, Roles and  responsibilities of stakeholders, Coordination and communication mechanisms and Inclusion of vulnerable populations  

➢ Assess alignment with national/provincial DRR frameworks and international best  practices.  

3.4. Updating and Operationalization of Contingency Plan 

➢ Revise and update the contingency plan to ensure it is risk-informed, practical, and  actionable.  

➢ Integrate findings from vulnerability mapping into planning and prioritization.  ➢ Develop a clear operational/activation framework, including: 

➢ Risk-based early warning triggers and corresponding early actions 

➢ Step-by-step SOPs for heatwave response  

➢ Defined roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, 

➢ Coordination and communication protocols  

➢ Integrate public health response measures tailored to identified risks.  

➢ Ensure mainstreaming of gender, age, and disability inclusion (GADI).  

3.5. Stakeholder Consultation and Validation 

➢ Conduct consultation workshops with DDMA, Health Department, PDMA Sindh, and local  stakeholders.  

➢ Present vulnerability findings and updated contingency plan for validation.  ➢ Incorporate feedback and finalize the document.  

3.6. Documentation and Reporting 

➢ Document all processes, including vulnerability mapping, consultations, and trainings.  ➢ Prepare a comprehensive final report including:  

4. Summary of activities  

➢ Key findings from vulnerability assessments and mapping  

➢ Identified high-risk areas and preparedness gaps  

➢ Updated contingency plan highlights  

➢ Lessons learned and recommendations for sustainability  

5. Other Responsibilities 

➢ Maintain close coordination with HANDS management throughout the consultancy period.  ➢ Share all micro-plans, mapping outputs, and deliverables for review and feedback.  ➢ Develop and share training manuals and materials in a timely manner.  

➢ Attend coordination meetings and ensure alignment with project objectives.  ➢ Ensure effective time management and adherence to deadlines. 

➢ Deliver high-quality, evidence-based, and well-structured outputs aligned with DRR best  practices.  

6. Guideline for Submission of Proposal: 

Interested consultants can apply by submitting of a hard copy Of Technical & Financial Proposal  through courier duly mark in the name of Head of Department Supply Chain, HANDS Head Office,  Plot # 276, Off M-9 (Karachi-Hyderabad) Motorway, Gadap Road, Karachi, Pakistan Phone No: (0092-21) 32120400, UAN (0092-21) 111 666 333 and a soft copy through electronic  mode of the proposal to [email protected], by 28th March, 2026 before 03:00 pm. a) If applicant needs any clarity regarding the assignment it may seek through written  

communication to HOD, H ID Department, HANDS during business hours 09:00 am- 05:00 pm  via email mentioned above by 27th March, 2026. 

b) No application will be entertained after submission deadline. 

c) HANDS reserve the right to accept/reject or cancel any proposal if not meets the standard of  evaluation. 

d) Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present detail brief through meeting with relevant  officials. 

e) The contents of the proposal are mentioned below: 

➢ Brief introduction of consultant (attach detailed CV /Profile with references of completed  projects/assignments and clients’ details) 

➢ Detail Understanding of context with respect to Stakeholder engagement, Vulnerability  mapping and contingency planning. 

➢ Execution Methodology against each deliverable with timelines. 

➢ Work Plan 

➢ Financial Proposal 

➢ Certifications related compliance of drug free workplace, sexual harassment, child abuse,  financial insolvency & bankruptcy, blacklisting from any regulatory authority inside  Pakistan or from clients including SAPPRA & PPRA 

7. Proposal Evaluation Criteria: 

➢ 70% Weightage, based on technical evaluation. 

➢ 30% Weightage, based on financial evaluation. 

8. Contract Type: 

This is a fixed cost assignment and “reimbursement mode of payment/based on agreement”  against the achievement of the milestone/s. No additional financial support cost provided related  to operational / equipment procurement/ travel arrangements will be paid by HANDS beyond the  quoted amount by the Consultant at the proposal submission stage. 

Note:  

➢ Individuals with disabilities and women are encouraged to apply. 

➢ No TA/DA will be permissible when the call for interview. 

➢ Only short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview. 

➢ HANDS believes in abiding by the organization's zero tolerance policy against sexual  exploitation and abuse (SEA).