Geologist and Landslide Specialist, SAMS, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

1. POSITION VACANT: Geologist and Landslide Specialist, SAMS, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

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:

The project, “Strengthening Disaster Risk Management Systems in Himachal Pradesh”, is a four-year initiative (2024–2027) undertaken by UNDP India in close collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).

Himachal Pradesh is highly vulnerable to multiple natural hazards due to its geo-climatic conditions and location within the seismically active Himalayan region. The entire state lies in Seismic Zone V, denoting a high risk of earthquakes. It also faces recurring disasters such as floods, landslides, cloudbursts, and forest fires, which lead to severe human and economic losses. The rugged mountainous terrain, fragile rock formations, narrow valleys, and unconsolidated sediments heighten landslide susceptibility. Intense monsoon rains (June–September), snowmelt during winter, and seismic activity further aggravate these risks.

Recognizing these challenges, the Government of Himachal Pradesh has institutionalized several mechanisms such as a State Emergency Operations Center, crisis management protocols, and District Disaster Management Plans (DDMPs). However, rising climate and disaster risks necessitate an updated and more robust disaster risk management (DRM) system.

Under this collaborative project, UNDP will support the Government of Himachal Pradesh (GoHP) across several critical areas. This includes updating the State, District, City (Shimla, Dharamshala, Solan), and Departmental Disaster Management Plans through extensive stakeholder consultations and simulation exercises. The project will also work towards strengthening the techno-legal regime for building codes by conducting gap analyses, enhancing the capacities of engineers and architects, and facilitating the adoption of relevant by-laws. To address geohazard risks, comprehensive landslide risk mapping will be commissioned for Shimla and Dharamshala. In addition, UNDP will provide capacity building and technical support to help the state leverage resources under the XV Finance Commission’s recommendations on Disaster Risk Financing, while also supporting the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). Furthermore, the project will assist in the implementation of the Government of Himachal Pradesh’s Hospital Safety and School Safety Schemes through targeted training, safety audits, and the development of disaster management plans and committees at institutional levels.

This four-year programme (2024–2027) will be implemented through a Project Monitoring Unit (PMU), based at the State Secretariat in Shimla.

To operationalize this initiative in Himachal Pradesh, UNDP seeks to engage a Geologist and Landslide Specialist, based at the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in Shimla. To expert will provide geological expertise to assess, predict, and mitigate landslide risks through hazard mapping, slope analysis, and stabilization planning.

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

The key purpose of the Geologist and Landslide Expert’s role shall be to identify landslide-prone areas using geological investigations and prepare hazard maps for risk-informed planning; to design and support the implementation of structural, bioengineering, and monitoring measures to reduce landslide vulnerability; to strengthen disaster preparedness, early warning, and community awareness through scientific analysis and on-ground guidance.

The Geologist and Landslide Expert shall report to the Programme Specialist (Resilience).

Duties and Responsibilities:

Hazard Assessment:

• Identify areas prone to landslides using geological and geotechnical surveys
• Prepare detailed geological hazard maps for risk-prone zones.

Field Investigations:

• Conduct soil and rock sampling and testing to assess stability
• Investigate subsurface conditions through borehole drilling, geophysical surveys, and trenching.

Technical Support:

• Provide geological expertise for slope stabilization, retaining wall construction, and bioengineering solutions.
• Recommend the use of suitable materials and designs based on local geology.

Policy and Planning:

• Contribute to disaster management plans with geological insights.
• Collaborate with planners for land use policies in high-risk zones.

Landslide Risk Analysis:

• Analyze historical landslide data to predict future events.

Slope Stabilization Design:

• Design and implement structural and bioengineering measures for slope stabilization.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of technologies like soil nailing, gabion walls, and vegetative solutions.

Mitigation Strategies:

• Develop cost-effective solutions to mitigate landslide risks, including drainage improvement and erosion control.
• Advise on construction practices to minimize terrain disturbance in vulnerable areas.

Early Warning Systems:

• Work with geologists and engineers to deploy landslide monitoring technologies.
• Develop and disseminate early warning alerts based on rainfall thresholds and slope movement data.
• Assist in the installation and monitoring of instruments (e.g., inclinometers, piezometers) for slope stability analysis.
• Analyze data to provide real-time assessments of landslide risks.

Disaster Response and Recovery:

• Provide on-site expertise during landslide events to guide response teams.
• Assist in post-disaster assessments, including damage surveys and recovery planning.

Community Awareness and Training:

• Educate communities in landslide-prone areas about warning signs and safety measures.
• Conduct drills and workshops on landslide preparedness and evacuation.
• Train local authorities and disaster management teams on geological risk identification and response.

Collaboration and Reporting:

• Work with multi-disciplinary teams, including engineers, planners, and ecologists.
• Prepare technical reports and recommendations for SDMF-funded projects.
• Preparation of Detail Projects Reports

Evaluation:

• Evaluation of DPRs submitted for the funding’s to HPSDMA.

Other Duties:

• Assist HPSDMA/Revenue Department (DM) in day-to-day coordination required for smooth implementation of various DRR activities in the State;
• Any other assignment/work on the subject which can be given by the member concerned/ as per the requirement of HPSDMA

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: 

Qualification:

Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Engineering Geology, or Earth Sciences.

Training or certification in landslide hazard assessment, geotechnical investigations, or terrain evaluation is desirable.

Experience:

(1) Minimum 3-5 years of experience in landslide studies, geotechnical field investigations, hazard zonation, or slope stability assessments.
(2) Experience working with government agencies, SDMAs, infrastructure projects, or DPR preparation/evaluation is an advantage.

Required Skills:
(1) Strong understanding of geological formations, soil–rock mechanics, slope failure processes, and geomorphology.

(2) Expertise in landslide hazard zonation, geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and subsurface investigations.

(3) Knowledge of structural, drainage, and bioengineering solutions for slope stabilization.

(4) Ability to interpret geotechnical and monitoring data (inclinometers, piezometers, rainfall thresholds).

(5) Familiarity with terrain analysis tools, GIS/remote sensing, and risk modelling techniques.

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

Competencies:

Technical Competencies:

(1) Ability to conduct field surveys, sampling, borehole logging, and laboratory test interpretation.

(2) Skilled in designing and reviewing slope stabilization interventions and preparing DPRs.

(3) Competence in assessing historical landslide patterns and forecasting future risks.

(4) Capability to support early warning system deployment and provide real-time risk assessments during events.

(5) Proficiency in preparing technical reports, hazard maps, and recommendations for DRR planning.

Core Competencies:

(1) Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret complex geological and geotechnical data.

(2) Effective communication and coordination with engineers, planners, communities, and disaster response teams.

(3) Ability to train local authorities and conduct community awareness programs in high-risk areas.

(4) Good project management, documentation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration abilities.

(5) High responsiveness, teamwork, and adaptability during landslide emergencies and field operations.

5. CONSULTANCY FEE:

The monthly consultancy fee for the position shall be INR 75,000, commensurate with applicable government norms. 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 for a period of one year. 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: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

8. REFERENCE: GLS-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 submit their applications on or before December 29, 2025.