Partner Name:           National Society for Earthquake Technology - Nepal (NSET)

Title of Placement:    Developing the Governmental Schools Earthquake Safety Programme.

Location:                    Nepal

Start date:                 asap

Duration:                   6 months

No. of volunteers:     1  

A 6-month placement helping to develop guidelines for the Government programme on Schools Earthquake Safety.  

What work will I be doing? 

You will be working on a community based earthquake vulnerability reduction programme called the "Schools Earthquake Safety Programme". NSET is investigating how to implement the overall programme and so have selected six pilot schools with whom they intend to improve earthquake safety.

The placement involves training rural masons in improved construction methods for earthquake prone areas whilst carrying out a real retro fit of school buildings. The role will involve researching and documenting previous and current programmes as part of a critical review. This will include analysing data on the schools in the Kathmandu valley to create a map of vulnerability, construction types and potential casulaties; researching the impact of the programmes and helping to formulate and update strategy, guidelines and training materials. There will be opportunities for the volunteer to undertake site visits and interact with communities and builders in order to gain better insight into the impact of the new methods.  

Who will I be working for? 

NSET was established in 1993 and employs 50 people. Approximately half the staff are professional engineers with experience in the technical and social aspects of earthquake disaster management. It is a national non governmental organisation which pioneers earthquake risk reduction in Nepal. It is committed to managing and minimising the future damage of of earthquakes through raising awareness amongst the people on disaster preparedness and risk reduction, by contributing to the development of the science and technology of earthquake disaster mitigation, earthquake resistant measures in construction and the social aspects of earthquake disaster management.                                        

What skills or experience do I need? 

Required: 

• 3^rd or 4^th Year Undergraduate Student or a Postgraduate
• Understanding of fundamental construction principles
• Interest in earthquake structural engineering
• An ability to work independently 

Desired:

• Experience of working alongside Professional Engineers