Consultancy Opportunity: Synthesis Report on Inclusive Early Warning Early Action for the “Last Mile”

The Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) of the American Red Cross is seeking a research consultant to develop a report on inclusive early warning and early action (EWEA) for last-mile communities. The report will synthesis findings from the studies funded under the GDPC Small Research Grants Program, supplemented by additional literature and case studies, to provide actionable recommendations for improving EWEA accessibility and inclusivity.

Scope of Work

The consultant will conduct a desk-based meta-synthesis, analyzing existing research to identify barriers, enablers, and solutions to make early warning systems (EWS) for last-mile communities more effective. The work will include:

• Analysis and synthesis of the 15 research reports from the GDPC Small Research Grants Program to key trends, commonalities, and context-specific variations.
• Targeted desk review of additional literature on last-mile early warning early action delivery to further develop and validate GDPC findings, fill gaps in the research, or contextualize findings within global best practices. The consultant will be responsible for identifying relevant literature and defining the scope in consultation with GDPC to ensure feasibility within the timeline and alignment with the report objectives.
• Development of a narrative report and executive summary presenting findings and practical, evidence-based recommendations for improving last-mile EWS inclusivity.

The consultant will conduct only desk-based research; primary data collection (e.g., interviews orb surveys) is not required. This is a remote opportunity with no travel obligations, and applicants may be based anywhere.

Refer to the Terms of Reference for more details on the scope of work and application.

Qualifications

The GDPC seeks a research consultant or a research team with the following qualifications:

1. Proven experience in conducting research, including secondary research and synthesis, with a track record of writing reports for humanitarian or development organizations.
2. Technical expertise in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and preparedness, particularly in the area
   of Early Warning Early Action (EWEA).
3. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to process large volumes of information and present findings in an accessible manner.
4. Fluency (written and spoken) in English is required.
5. Excellent written communication skills and the ability to produce structured, high-quality reports.
6. Familiarity with the Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) network is an asset, particularly an understanding of its role in EWEA.