1. POSITION VACANT: Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist, SAMS, New Delhi

2. ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Our Client, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development - from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment and resilience. With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to support the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

For more information about UNDP India, please visit https://www.undp.org/india

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

UNDP’s National Resilience Programme (2024–2029) has been designed in response to India’s high vulnerability to multiple natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, cyclones, heat waves, extreme rainfall, lightning and forest fires, risks that are being further intensified by climate change. Vulnerable groups including women, children, persons with disabilities and economically weaker communities often face disproportionate impacts, with disasters disrupting essential services, deepening inequalities and increasing risks of gender-based violence.

To address these challenges, the XV Finance Commission has introduced a paradigm shift in disaster risk financing, allocating resources across the windows of response, preparedness, mitigation and recovery for 2021–2026. States can access these funds only by preparing risk assessments, strengthening institutions, building capacities and developing detailed project reports in alignment with NDMA guidelines. In parallel, NDMA is rolling out national-level hazard risk mitigation programmes on landslides, lightning, urban floods, seismic risks and other hazards.

UNDP, in partnership with NDMA and State Disaster Management Authorities, is supporting this process by mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into national programmes and policies, strengthening state capacities to utilize Finance Commission allocations, developing methodologies for loss and damage assessment, and advancing the integration of gender, disability and social protection dimensions into disaster management. The programme also strengthens NDMA’s engagement in international dialogues such as the G20 DRR Working Group and UNFCCC Loss and Damage negotiations while providing targeted support for state-level hazard risk assessments, recovery planning and implementation of priority risk mitigation programmes.

The National Resilience Programme builds partnerships with government, academia, private sector, multilateral agencies, NGOs and community-based organizations to advance gender-responsive and inclusive disaster risk management.

In this context, UNDP intends to deploy a Technical Coordinator at the NDMA for coordinating and facilitating activities across different states, ensuring consistency in approach, technical quality, and alignment with NDMA’s national-level hazard risk mitigation programmes and XV Finance Commission mandates.

The placement at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is expected to provide technical support across multiple thematic and geographic areas. This includes work on Landslide Risk Management, Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA), Urban Flood Management and other Disaster Management Initiatives.

3. JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK (SOW):

Reporting to the Programme Specialist (Resilience), the Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist will provide technical and coordination support to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in advancing hazard-specific and multi-state disaster risk reduction initiatives. The role will focus on facilitating risk assessments, strengthening state-level engagement, and ensuring technical quality and alignment with NDMA’s national programmes and the XV Finance Commission mandates.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(1) Provide analytical and technical inputs for hazard-specific and multi-hazard risk management programmes running across various states;

(2) Provide technical support specific to Landslide management, GLOF and GIS modelling under the programme;

(3) Support the preparation, review, and quality enhancement of hazard and vulnerability assessments, disaster risk management plans, and related technical documents;

(4) Facilitate coordination of activities across different states, ensuring consistency of technical approaches and adherence to NDMA guidelines;

(5) Support information flow, knowledge exchange, and documentation of lessons learned between NDMA, UNDP, and State Disaster Management Authorities;

(6) Contribute to the design of training modules, workshops, and knowledge products to strengthen institutional and stakeholder capacities on disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery;

(7) Provide backstopping support to NDMA for integrating gender, disability, and social inclusion considerations into disaster management plans and training activities;

(8) Assist in drafting and reviewing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), technical notes, and inputs for monitoring frameworks under the XV Finance Commission allocations;

(9) Support the collection, analysis, and consolidation of progress information, and contribute to documentation of best practices and case studies;

(10) Provide research-based inputs and technical backstopping to NDMA’s thematic initiatives on risk mitigation, recovery planning, and disaster resilience;

(11) Contribute to the development of technical briefs, background notes, and internal knowledge products to inform policy discussions and programme planning;

(12) Participate in Field Visits for data collection and site assessments around Risk Mitigation .

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: 

Qualification:

Master’s degree in Disaster Management, Environmental Sciences, Climate Studies, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Urban/Regional Planning, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or a related field.

Experience:
(1) At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, risk assessments, or related fields;
(2) Experience in preparing, reviewing, or supporting Project Reports, technical studies, or policy documents related to DRR;

(3) Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is desirable.

Skills and Competencies:
(1) Solid understanding of disaster risk reduction frameworks, multi-hazard risk assessment methodologies, and disaster management planning processes;
(2) Knowledge of India’s disaster management institutional framework, including the role of NDMA, SDMAs, and Finance Commission mechanisms;
(3) Familiarity with integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, disability inclusion, and social protection in DRR;
(4) Proficiency in research, data analysis, and preparation of technical documentation, project reports, and knowledge products;

(5) Strong communication skills with ability to synthesize technical inputs into policy-relevant outputs.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Hindi is essential.

Competencies:

Technical Competencies:

(1) Demonstrated ability to provide technical backstopping and analytical support for hazard and risk management initiatives;
(2) Capacity to support preparation and review of DPRs, training modules, and knowledge products;
(3) Skills in facilitating coordination between multiple stakeholders and documenting lessons learned and best practices.

Core Competencies:

(1) Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with attention to detail;
(2) Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously;
(3) Ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts, technical experts, and development partners in a support role;
(4) High degree of adaptability, professionalism, and results orientation;
(5) Commitment to values of inclusion, equity, and gender responsiveness in disaster risk management.

5. CONSULTANCY FEE:

The monthly consultancy fee for the position shall be commensurate with the Government norms, as applicable for the position. The professional fee will be subject to withholding taxes, as applicable.

6. NATURE OF ENGAGEMENT:

The selected candidate shall be engaged as a Consultant on the rolls of SAMS, a third-party payrolling agency, for a full-time consultancy engagement till February 2026. It is explicitly clarified that this consultancy engagement does not constitute a promise or guarantee of future employment, with SAMS, or our client, or any other organization associated with the project. 

7. LOCATION: New Delhi

8. REFERENCE: DRRS-SAMS

9. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612

www.sams.co.in

10. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to upload their applications by or before October 10, 2025.