A. About the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center:

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is an autonomous international organization established for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes with a vision of safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1986 as a technical capacity-building center, ADPC has grown and diversified its expertise across social and physical sciences, envisioning safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction. Being an autonomous international organization governed by the Board of Trustees. It supports sustainable solutions for disaster risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas, with a wide range of professional expertise from atmospheric scientists to social scientists with experiences from all levels of engagement typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) effectively.

ADPC’s Strategy 2030 guides the organization in providing comprehensive risk reduction support to countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific with various programs being implemented under 15 strategic themes by three departments, namely the Preparedness and Climate Actions, Risk Analytics and Climate Services, and Risk Governance and Financing. In addition to these, ADPC also works on three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Diversity, Innovation, and Regional and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees. These activities are supported by proactive individual departments of Finance, Human Resources, and Administration. ADPC recognizes the importance of examining the linkages between disaster risk management, poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainability, rights-based approaches, climate change, and regional cooperation. For details, please refer to the ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net.

B. Department Introduction

The Preparedness and Climate Actions (PCA) Department of ADPC focuses on enhancing the preparedness and response management capacities of governments, response organizations, volunteers, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, communities, and other traditional and non-traditional actors of the Disaster Risk Management Ecosystem. It also strives to strengthen the capacity of institutions and at-risk communities for faster and more efficient disaster recovery. The department works with the above-stated actors to ensure that the regional, national, sub-national, and local disaster preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks and implementation plans are in place well before disaster strikes.

C. Statement of Intent

The Institutional Strengthening through Preparedness and Inclusive Response in India (INSPIRE) Program is a collaborative initiative by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and state institutions in Odisha, Gujarat, and Kerala. The program aims to enhance institutional systems for disaster preparedness and climate action at the national and state levels, while contributing to regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal.

Through INSPIRE, ADPC works closely with national and state-level stakeholders to promote risk-informed planning, strengthen local capacities, and support sustainable disaster management practices. The program focuses on advancing institutional leadership and technical capacities within strategic government institutions, enabling them to play a central role in managing disasters and responding to climate shocks. It also fosters the development of innovative, data-driven solutions and promotes cross-learning through structured regional collaboration.

In this context, ADPC seeks to engage an Individual Consultant to provide concept design and technical advisory services for the enhancement of specialized Search and Rescue (SAR) training facilities at the NDRF Training Academy in Nagpur. The assignment will focus on key operational domains, including:

• Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR/USAR)

• Flood and Swift Water Rescue (FWR)

• CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) Response

• Multi-disciplinary Disaster Training Village / Simulation

The Consultant will translate training and operational requirements into functional spatial concepts, layouts, and planning guidance, enabling NDRF to make informed decisions for phased infrastructure development. An indicative list of civil infrastructure required for the above modules is placed in Annex 1.

This assignment will deliver detailed architectural design for further development of structural design drawings, construction drawings, bill of quantities, and costing as a follow-up assignment in due course.

All concept designs and planning outputs shall be aligned with the facility typologies, functional requirements for progressive capability levels (Level 1 – Basic, Level 2 – Intermediate, Level 3 – Advanced) defined in the SAR Training Facility Assessment Tool. The Tool shall serve as the primary reference framework for functional planning and capability alignment.

All proposed enhancements shall be guided by operational training functionality, safety considerations, simulation realism, instructor oversight requirements, and phased capability development

The Consultant shall ensure that:

• Proposed layouts reflect training functionality and operational realism

• Facilities are designed to support progressive competency development

• Safety, usability, and instructor visibility are considered in all concepts

D. Expected Outputs

The Consultant shall deliver a structured set of concept design, functional planning, and technical advisory outputs to support the phased enhancement and future development of specialized SAR training facilities at the NDRF Training Academy in Nagpur. All outputs shall align with the SAR Training Facility Assessment Tool, operational training requirements, and internationally recognized good practices relevant to CSSR/USAR, Flood and Swift Water Rescue, CBRN response, and multi-hazard disaster simulation environments. The Consultant shall deliver the following outputs:

1. Inception Report and Consultation Summary

The Consultant shall submit an inception report outlining:

• Assignment methodology and approach

• Detailed workplan and timeline

• Stakeholder consultation and coordination plan

• Initial findings from consultations with NDRF leadership, trainers, engineers, and operational experts

• Preliminary understanding of training functionality, operational requirements, and facility priorities

• Proposed framework for functional planning and concept development

2. Functional Design Brief

A comprehensive functional design brief for the priority modules listed in Annex 1, including:

• Training objectives and operational functionality requirements

• Indicative spatial and infrastructure requirements

• Training flow and movement considerations

• Operational zoning and circulation patterns

• Safety buffers and instructor oversight requirements

• Support infrastructure and utility considerations

• Environmental sustainability and maintenance considerations

• Design assumptions and planning parameters

3. Functional Planning and Training-to-Infrastructure Mapping Framework

A structured framework linking training competencies and operational requirements to facility and infrastructure needs, including:

• Mapping of training activities to required facility types

• Capacity and utilization considerations

• Spatial functionality requirements

• Operational workflow and movement patterns

• Safety and supervision requirements

• Training progression considerations aligned with Level 1–3 capability development

4. Concept Masterplan and Site Planning Recommendations

A concept-level masterplan for the NDRF Academy training areas, including:

• Functional zoning of CSSR, FWR, CBRN, and disaster simulation areas

• Integration of multi-hazard training environments and disaster village concepts

• Circulation and operational movement systems

• Access and logistics considerations

• Instructor observation and control areas

• Phased expansion opportunities

• Recommendations for enhancing operational functionality and training efficiency

The Consultant shall provide up to two concept planning options, where appropriate.

5. Concept Layout Drawings and Schematic Facility Representations

Conceptual architectural layouts and schematic representations (non-construction drawings) for priority training facilities, including:

• CSSR / USAR facilities

• Flood and Swift Water Rescue facilities

• CBRN operational and simulation zones

• Disaster Training Village / Multi-Hazard Simulation Areas

Outputs shall include:

• Annotated diagrams

• Concept layouts and zoning plans

• Spatial relationships and movement flows

• Functional descriptions

• Instructor visibility and safety considerations

• Presentation-ready graphics suitable for planning and decision-making purposes

6. Technical Advisory and Design Guidelines

Technical guidance and planning recommendations covering:

• Operational functionality of training spaces

• Safety and risk management considerations

• Instructor visibility and supervision

• Training realism and simulation functionality

• Maintenance and operational sustainability

• Considerations for future detailed architectural and engineering design

• Critical risks and technical considerations for each facility type

7. Benchmarking and Good Practice Review

A summary of relevant national and international examples and good practices related to SAR training facilities, including:

• INSARAG-aligned approaches

• Functional design concepts for training realism

• Examples of phased capability development

• Lessons learned and applicable planning considerations

8. Indicative Costing and Phased Implementation Strategy

A phased implementation strategy outlining:

• Priority facilities and enhancement recommendations

• Suggested phased development approach (Level 1 → Level 2 → Level 3 progression)

• High-level indicative cost ranges for planning and budgeting purposes

• Recommendations for sequencing and prioritization

• Key considerations for future detailed design and engineering phases

9. Validation Workshop and Presentation Materials

Preparation and facilitation support for stakeholder validation sessions, including:

• Presentation materials and visual summaries

• Workshop discussion materials

• Consolidated comments and feedback documentation

• Revised outputs reflecting agreed recommendations

10. Final Consolidated Report

A final consolidated report compiling all approved outputs, recommendations, concept plans, schematic layouts, technical guidance, implementation considerations, and supporting annexes.

All outputs shall be submitted in:

• Editable formats (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, CAD/PDF where applicable)

• PDF versions for review and institutional documentation purposes

All concept outputs should be professionally formatted and suitable for institutional planning, technical review, stakeholder consultation, and as a future detailed design reference.

E. Scope of Work/Responsibilities and Tasks:

Task 1: Development of a Design Brief for the priority modules listed in Annex 1

• Lead the consultations with NDRF Academy leadership, trainers, and technical experts to understand design requirements based on training cadence, functionality, operations, maintenance regime, and future expansion needs.

• Review priority training programs, competency frameworks, and operational needs to comprehensively assess siting requirements.

• Provide a training facility design to conduct training scenarios suggested by the curriculum development specialist, and facility requirements

• Translate training needs into functional spatial requirements based on typical batch sizes, structure, and flow of the training module, training duration and cadence, equipment movement, etc.

• Define indicative spatial requirements, circulation patterns, operational zones, safety buffers, and support infrastructure needs to inform the design brief.

• Explore design and construction technology options to reduce the environmental footprint of the proposed enhancements, about the choice of construction materials and technologies (local vs. imported from outside Nagpur), climate responsiveness (energy use for maintaining climate comfort), and maintenance (local materials and human resources).

• Develop a comprehensive functional design brief for the priority modules listed in Annex 1.

Task 2: Concept design of enhancements and revision of the site plan

• Review the existing site layout, circulation systems, and operational movement patterns, and propose functional zoning for CSSR, FWR, CBRN, and simulation areas.

• Review existing architectural layouts, access systems, and operational movement flows to identify opportunities for enhanced training functionality and operational efficiency.

• Develop up to two concept-level planning and architectural enhancement options reflecting operational functionality, phased expansion potential, safety considerations, ease of maintenance, and environmental sustainability. In addition to the functional use of training areas, the proposed options must include personnel safety considerations and ease of maintenance and upkeep.

• The consultant may draw on relevant examples of national and international SAR training facilities and applicable INSARAG good practices to inform concept development.

Task 3: Detailed design of architectural enhancements for the Priority modules listed in Annex 1

• Based on the approved functional design brief, develop architectural layouts and schematic spatial representations for the proposed enhancements.

• Develop schematic layouts for priority training areas, considering operational workflows, movement of trainees and instructors, safety requirements, maintenance needs, and training functionality

• Provide indicative order-of-magnitude cost estimates for planning and budgeting purposes by NDRF.

Task 4: Implementation Strategy

• In consultation with NDRF leadership and ADPC experts, develop a phased implementation plan outlining:

• proposal for priority enhancements, along with a detailed work plan and costing for budgeting purposes.

• Outline requirements for Phase 2 detailed design

F. Working Principles:

The Consultant will report directly to the designated technical lead at ADPC and work under the technical guidance of the ADPC and the NDRF Technical Curriculum Working Group (TCWG).

The consultant will work closely with the program Managers/Coordinators of ADPC in delivering the assignment. All costs related to consultations and validation workshops will be managed separately by ADPC.

This is a lump sum contract. Any travel undertaken by the consultant in the delivery of this assignment shall be covered by ADPC upon prior written approval in line with the ADPC travel policy.

G. Qualifications:

The assignment shall be undertaken by a multidisciplinary consulting team led by an architect/planner with demonstrated experience in institutional or specialized training facility planning, working in association with operational subject matter experts in technical rescue or disaster response training, with:

• Minimum 8–12 years of relevant professional experience

• Expertise in the design and execution of institutional buildings, training facilities, and educational campuses.

• Demonstrated ability to translate operational/training needs into spatial concepts

• Understanding of simulation-based or emergency training environments is an advantage

• Experience working with government agencies or large institutions

H. Duty Station

Home-based with possible travel to partner institutions as required.

I. Contract Duration

August 2026 – December 2026

J. Deliverable: The work shall be carried out as per the following timelines:

1. Inception Report and Consultation Summary

Submission of inception report outlining methodology, detailed work plan, consultation strategy, initial findings, and proposed framework for functional planning and concept development. Includes summary of consultations with NDRF leadership, trainers, engineers, and technical experts.

Indicative Timing: Week 2

2. Functional Design Brief and Training-to-Infrastructure Mapping Framework

Submission of the functional design brief and training-to-infrastructure mapping framework, including operational requirements, spatial planning considerations, movement flows, safety buffers, training functionality requirements, and alignment with Level 1–3 capability development.

Indicative Timing: Week 4

3. Draft Concept Masterplan and Site Planning Recommendations

Submission of draft concept masterplan showing zoning of CSSR, FWR, CBRN, and disaster simulation areas, including circulation systems, operational movement patterns, phased expansion concepts, and integration of disaster training village components.

Indicative Timing: Week 6

4. Draft Concept Layout Drawings and Schematic Facility Representations

Submission of draft conceptual layouts and schematic representations (non-construction drawings) for priority training facilities, including annotated diagrams, zoning plans, operational workflows, instructor visibility considerations, and functional descriptions.

Indicative Timing: Week 8

5. Validation Workshop and Stakeholder Review

Conduct of validation workshop and technical review sessions with ADPC, NDRF leadership, trainers, engineers, and operational experts to review concept plans, layouts, operational functionality, and implementation considerations.

Indicative Timing: Week 9

6. Technical Advisory and Design Guidelines Report

Submission of technical guidance and planning recommendations covering safety considerations, operational functionality, instructor oversight, training realism, maintenance considerations, and key technical considerations for future detailed design phases.

Indicative Timing: Week 10

7. Benchmarking Summary and Indicative Costing / Phased Implementation Strategy

Submission of benchmarking review, indicative cost ranges, and phased implementation strategy outlining priority developments, phased capability progression, sequencing considerations, and recommendations for future detailed design and engineering.

Indicative Timing: Week 11

8. Final Consolidated Report and Presentation Materials

Submission of final consolidated report incorporating all revised outputs, approved concept plans, schematic layouts, technical guidance, implementation recommendations, workshop feedback, and presentation-ready materials in editable and PDF formats.

Indicative Timing: Week 12

K. Payment Conditions:

• Payments will be released upon submission and formal approval of each deliverable by ADPC.

• Technical review and endorsement of deliverables will be conducted in consultation with the NDRF Technical Curriculum Working Group (TCWG) to ensure technical quality, operational relevance, instructional integrity, and alignment with institutional requirements.

• The Consultant shall address and incorporate all technical comments and revisions required for approval of each milestone.

• ADPC reserves the right to withhold approval of deliverables that do not meet the required technical and instructional quality standards until satisfactory revisions are completed.

• All deliverables shall be submitted in:

  • Editable formats (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, CAD or equivalent formats where applicable)

  • PDF versions for institutional review and documentation purposes

• All outputs shall include, where applicable:

  • Annotated diagrams

  • Concept layouts and zoning plans

  • Functional descriptions

  • Schematic representations

  • Presentation-ready graphics

  • Supporting technical notes and recommendations

L. Itinerary:

All costs related to travel to field locations as required, including transportation, accommodation, and per diem, shall be covered by ADPC as per policy.

In addition, all costs related to the approved consultations, workshops, pilot testing activities, and validation sessions will be managed separately by ADPC in accordance with organizational procedures.

M. Mode of Payment:

Payment shall be made through bank transfer based on satisfactory delivery of agreed outputs.

How to apply

Interested individuals are invited to submit a completed ADPC application form (downloadable from www.adpc.net), along with a resume, copies of degrees/certificates, and a cover letter, to: procurement@adpc.net

The email subject should clearly indicate the position being applied for, for example:

[Consultant for Concept Design and Technical Advisory on Specialized SAR Training Facilities, Consultant]

Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

ADPC values diversity and fosters an inclusive work environment, welcoming applications from qualified candidates regardless of background.

Terms of Reference

Biographical Data Form