Development of Risk Communication Plan and Materials for Protecting Drinking Water in Affected Municipalities of Taal Volcanic Eruption

BACKGROUND

The Taal Volcano in Batangas, Philippines had demonstrated phreatic eruption activities since 12 January 2020, until the Alert Level 4 was lowered by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST- PHIVOLCS) to Alert Level 3 in 26 January 2020. The lava and ashes spewed by the Taal Volcano pose public health risks in the Region IV- B (CALABARZON), the National Capital Region (NCR), and other nearby provinces. Some health risks related to the volcanic eruption include groundwater movements due to earthquakes that could have affected the quality of drinking-water sources.

The Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health (IACEH) chaired by the Department of Health (DOH) conducted a meeting on 28 January 2020 at the WCO PHL to discuss the environmental health issues brought about by the Taal Volcano eruption. One of the concerns identified which need immediate attention is the quality of drinking- water sources that might have been affected by the volcanic activity. To protect the health of the people from the effects of potential water quality deterioration, the IACEH recommended to monitor the sources of drinking-water in the affected areas to prevent water-related diseases/illnesses.

WHO supported DOH in the conduct of water quality monitoring in June 2020, despite the pandemic restrictions. Preliminary findings were presented to the IACEH in
July 2020 identifying bacteriological and chemical risks from the volcanic eruption. The water quality results triggered this request to WHO to develop risk communication plan and materials to protect the health of affected population.

 

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The World Health Organization, Country Office in the Philippines (WCO PHL) is looking for an individual or institutional contractual partner that can provide technical assistance in the development of risk communication plan and materials for protecting drinking water in affected municipalities of Taal volcanic eruption, under an Agreement for Performance of Work (APW) contract.

 

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Under the supervision of the Health and Environment Team of the WHO Country Office in the Philippines, the contractual partner shall perform the following tasks/responsibilities in close collaboration with the DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) and related offices.

 

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The development of the technical document(s) may be completed by conducting a combination of desk reviews, focus group discussions, interviews, meetings or any related methods as agreed, to conduct assessments, consolidate existing tools, guidelines, and standards, and to document best practices.

Furthermore, the contractual partner is expected to:

• • Ensure that activities are in line with national, regional and local policies requirements
• • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and representatives from other organizations and agencies
• • Attend national, regional or local meetings as necessary
• • Perform other related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned

Output 1: Inception Report

Deliverable 1.1:  The inception report shall contain specific methodologies and
activities with identified offices to be involved, locations of activities, materials needed, and tentative dates. DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) and
Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) shall be consulted in finalizing this report before submission to WHO.

Output 2: Risk communication plan for addressing the health impact of identified bacteriological and chemical risks

Deliverable 1. Review international and local documents on the health impact of identified bacteriological and chemical risks and recommend interventions of preventing related diseases

Deliverable 2. Develop a risk communication plan that include messages for preventive measures, water treatment procedures (including household water treatment and safe storage), and alternative water sources if needed.

Output 3: Risk communication materials

Deliverable 1: Develop and pre-test risk communication materials as outlined in output 2.

Deliverable 2: Prepare camera-ready risk communication materials and estimate cost of its printing depending on the needs of the DOH.

Deliverable 3: Print at least 500 copies of risk communication materials for distribution in affected municipalities.

Output 4: Final Report

Deliverable 1: Submit final version of risk communication plan and materials after responding to comments from DOH and partners. Ensure approval of plan and materials from DPCB and HPB before submitting the final report to DOH.

Deliverable 2: Submit financial report.

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The contractual partner must fulfil the following qualifications:

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

For individuals:

• • A graduate of public health and/or risk communication courses

For institutions

• • The team leader is a graduate of public health and/or risk communication courses with relevant post-graduate course

 

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

For individuals or institutions:

• • Extensive experience in developing risk communication materials
• • Previous experience in providing similar services to UN agencies, DOH or other Government agencies is an advantage.

 

SKILLS / TECHNICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

For individuals or institutions

• • Excellent skills in developing risk communication materials
• • Excellent knowledge or background on public health, WASH, and chemical safety

 

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent English communication skills (written and oral).

 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

DOH will initiate meetings and facilitate the preparation of invitation letters to partners that maybe involved in the development of risk communication materials.

 

CONTRACT TIME

The work to be done under this contract shall be Technical Assistance for the development of risk communications plan and materials for protecting drinking water in affected municipalities of Taal Volcanic Eruption as set out in the Terms of Reference. The contract will be completed in not more than 3.5 months from the commencement of the Work, or otherwise as agreed in writing among the Owner and the Contractor. The work shall be done in strict compliance with the Contract, Specifications, Schedules, and all other Contract documents and all Instructions. Failure to do so shall be at the Contractor’s risk and account. Submission of Bid by the Contractor shall constitute acknowledgement by the Contractor that it is aware of and concurs with all of the requirements or conditions incorporated in the Call for Proposal and the other documents.

As time is an essential element of this Contract, for failure to complete all work within the stipulated as set out in the Terms of Reference, the Owner shall charge the Contractor liquidated damages. This shall be in the amount the sum of 0.5% of the total contract amount per day (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays are included) but not to exceed on total 10% (ten percent) of the contract amount. These liquidated damages shall be for the added cost incurred by the Owner for such delay and also for the inconvenience caused to the users of the Work. It is understood that this is not a penalty but a fixed sum representing the liquidated damages for each calendar day of the delay. Delay shall be counted from the agreed completion date, considering further time extensions approved by the Owner, to the date of completion of work.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The selected contractual partner will be expected to travel to carry out mission/s, if needed.

In addition, the contractual partner must have no direct or indirect interest in the tobacco industry, alcohol industry, arms dealing or human trafficking.

Duration of contract is 3.5 months starting June 2021

 

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their Expression of Interest {cover letter}, curriculum vitae (for individuals), company profile and qualifications of team members (for institutions), Proposal with methodology, Financial details and Proposed timeline/Gantt chart of project to Ms Ying Chen (cheny@who.int) through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 10 June 2021. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 129599 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.