Ferrocement Retrofitting Effectiveness Study, Post-Earthquake M7.7 Flores NTT
Background and Context
On 14 August 2026, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Flores, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), Indonesia (USGS Event ID: us6000tkt2). The epicentre was located 68 km NNW of Ende at a shallow depth of 10 km. USGS ShakeMap recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) VIII at the epicentre zone and MMI VII in Sikka and surrounding areas. As of 31 August 2026, the disaster has resulted in 120 deaths, 1,658 injured, 183,673 displaced, and 96,797 houses damaged across 7 districts and cities.
Between 2022 and 2024, ADRA Indonesia implemented the Expanding SAFE programme in partnership with the Ministry of Housing, introducing Wire-mesh Bandage Ferrocement (WbF) retrofitting across 14 districts and cities in NTT. A total of 33 WbF-retrofitted houses are located within the earthquake-affected zone across four Flores districts: Sikka (MMI VII, 7 houses), Ende (MMI VI, 20 houses), Flores Timur (MMI V.5, 4 houses), and Manggarai Barat (MMI V.5, 2 houses).
The WbF technique wraps existing masonry walls with double-layered wire mesh stitched through the wall and plastered on both sides, creating a composite panel that resists lateral seismic forces without requiring demolition or rebuilding. The M7.7 earthquake presents a rare and time-sensitive opportunity to gather real-disaster evidence on the performance of these retrofitted structures compared to non-retrofitted masonry houses in the same villages at the same seismic intensity.
ADRA Indonesia, is conducting a two-month Ferrocement Retrofitting Effectiveness Study to document damage patterns, household experiences, and lessons regarding the WbF technique. ADRA Indonesia is seeking a qualified consultant, team, or institution (individual, academic institution, or local NGO — including those based in NTT) to lead the technical field assessment.
Objective of the Assignment
The Technical Consultant will lead the field-based assessment of the 33 WbF-retrofitted houses and comparable non-retrofitted structures across the four target districts.
The consultant is responsible for:
● Producing primary technical data on the post-earthquake structural performance of WbF-retrofitted houses;
● Conducting comparative analysis against non-retrofitted masonry houses in the same communities;
● Supporting community-level consultations (KII and FGD) to capture household experiences and perceptions;
● Contributing technical inputs to the Learning Report and Learning Document outputs of the project.
Scope of Work
1. Field Assessment — Structured Building and Household Observation
The consultant will lead physical assessment of all accessible WbF-retrofitted houses across four districts. For each house, the assessment will document:
● Condition of key structural elements: walls, wall connections, foundations (where observable), ring beams, openings, and roof-wall connections;
● Damage classification using a consistent damage scale, supported by systematic photographic documentation;
● A short household interview to capture: the original condition of the house prior to retrofitting, the household’s experience during and after the earthquake, any modifications or maintenance since WbF installation, and perceived effectiveness of the retrofit.
In each village, the consultant will also assess a smaller group of nearby non-retrofitted masonry houses with broadly comparable construction characteristics to serve as comparison cases. Earthquake exposure will be contextualized using BMKG MMI data.
2. Community Consultations
The consultant will support the facilitation of community-level consultations across the four districts:
● Key Informant Interviews (KII): 8 sessions with village authorities, craftspeople involved in the original retrofit programme, local government representatives (BPBD/PUPR), and other relevant actors;
● Focus Group Discussions (FGD): 1 session per district (4 total) to gather community perspectives on WbF performance, behavioral responses during and after the earthquake, and perceived housing safety.
3. Data Management and Analysis
● Ensure all field data is entered into KoboToolbox consistently and completely;
● Conduct damage classification and comparative analysis of WbF versus non-WbF houses by MMI zone;
● Document photographic evidence systematically, labeled by house ID and district;
● Identify patterns, anomalies, and key technical findings for the learning report.
4. Reporting and Knowledge Products
● Contribute technical content to the main Technical Assessment and Learning Report (draft and final), including methodology, findings, analysis, limitations, and recommendations;
● Provide technical inputs for the Learning Document (max. 20 pages), including diagrams, photographs, and summary analysis;
● Present findings at the hybrid dissemination event in Kabupaten Nagekeo (anticipated end of assignment period).
Deliverables and Timeline
Required Qualifications and Experience
● Applications are open to individuals, cross-disciplinary teams, academic institutions (civil engineering, architecture, or environmental engineering), and local NGOs or organizations — especially those based in or operating in NTT;
● For team or institutional applications, the qualifications listed apply collectively to the team, not to each individual member.
● Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in post-disaster structural assessment, seismic vulnerability assessment, or building inspection;
● Demonstrable experience in masonry construction assessment, including damage classification and documentation;
● Experience in post-earthquake rapid building assessment using BNPB/Kementerian PUPR standards and forms is strongly preferred;
● Knowledge of ferrocement, wire-mesh retrofitting, or low-cost seismic retrofitting techniques is sufficient — direct hands-on experience is not required;
● Experience working in eastern Indonesia (NTT, Maluku, Papua), or experience in disaster response or shelter programming in NTT, is an advantage and will be weighted positively.
Methodological and Technical Skills
● Proficiency in mobile data collection tools, particularly KoboToolbox;
● Strong skills in photographic documentation of structural damage;
● Ability to conduct structured household interviews and key informant consultations;
● Data analysis and report writing in Bahasa Indonesia (required); English is an advantage but not required.
Contract Arrangements and Logistics
The selected consultant will be engaged under an short-term consultancy contract with Yayasan ADRA Indonesia, subject to the following arrangements:
● Contract type: Consultancy contract (individual, team, or institutional), full-time, 2 months;
● Payment schedule: to be agreed at contract signing (e.g., 30% upon contract signing, 40% upon submission of draft report, 30% upon acceptance of final report);
● Location: Sikka, Ende, Flores Timur, and Manggarai Barat Districts, Flores NTT, with coordination to ADRA Indonesia Jakarta office;
● The consultant/team/institution is expected to be available to commence the assignment in October 2026; ADRA Indonesia will provide a technical briefing at the start of the assignment.
Reporting and Supervision
The Technical Consultant will report to the Program/Emergency Coordinator, ADRA Indonesia (based in Jakarta). Day-to-day field coordination will be facilitated through ADRA Indonesia’s local field representative in Flores. The consultant is expected to maintain regular communication (weekly updates) with the Program Coordinator throughout the assignment period.
Application Procedure
Qualified individuals, teams, and institutions are invited to submit their application by 14 October 2026 to:
HR ADRA Indonesia :
Yayasan ADRA Indonesia Email: recruitment@adraindonesia.org Subject line: “Application – Technical Consultant, WbF Effectiveness Study NTT”
Applications must include:
● Curriculum Vitae (maximum 4 pages), including relevant experience in structural/postdisaster assessment;
● Cover letter (maximum 1 page) describing relevant experience and motivation for the assignment;
● Two professional references with contact details;
● A brief technical approach note (maximum 4 pages) describing how the consultant would approach the field assessment, including key methodological considerations.
● A proposed budget for the assignment, including a breakdown of the consultancy fee, travel costs, accommodation, and all other costs related to the assignment. The proposed fee should be inclusive of VAT, if applicable.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. ADRA Indonesia is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified women, candidates from NTT, academic institutions, and local NGOs.