Hazard Specialist, SAMS, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

1. POSITION VACANT: Hazard Specialist, SAMS, Lucknow, Uttar 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:

Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, faces a wide spectrum of disaster risks owing to its diverse geography, high population density, rapid urbanization, and climatic vulnerabilities. Recurrent floods, seasonal droughts, heatwaves, earthquakes, industrial accidents, and urban disasters significantly disrupt lives, infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods. While the Government of Uttar Pradesh has taken commendable steps to strengthen disaster preparedness, existing institutional capacities and planning frameworks require substantial support to keep pace with the growing risks exacerbated by climate change.

Recognizing these challenges, the Relief Commissioner’s Office and the UPSDMA are partnering with UNDP to build a comprehensive, resilient, and forward-looking disaster risk management system. The proposal is aligned with the recommendations of the XV Finance Commission, which advocates for proactive disaster mitigation, preparedness, and risk-informed development planning.

UNDP’s technical assistance will support a multi-pronged approach, including and not limited to the development of District and Departmental Disaster Management Plans, Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (HRVAs), Urban Disaster Management Plans (UDMPs), and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). A dedicated team of experts will be deployed at the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (UPSDMA) office to provide strategic direction and technical coordination.

In this context, UNDP is looking to onboard a Hazard Specialist on a third-party contract for providing overall strategic direction, coordination, and stakeholder engagement for the effective implementation of the disaster risk mitigation initiative. The incumbent will coordinate a team of experts, facilitate inter-departmental collaboration, and deliver high-quality outputs, including district and departmental disaster management plans, hazard risk vulnerability assessments and MIS integration with state partner.

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

Reporting to the Programme Specialist (Resilience), the Hazard Specialist will provide technical expertise and sector-specific guidance for disaster risk mitigation, preparedness, and recovery planning across key departments. The specialists will ensure that, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies are scientifically robust and aligned with national and state disaster management priorities. The specialist will focus on all notified hazards and will work closely with government line departments, RAHAT, UPSDMA, and technical partners to mainstream disaster risk reduction measures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
(A) Hazard Risk Assessment & Disaster Management Planning:

(1) Support in conducting in-depth risk assessments for the state using scientific data, historical records, and local context;

(2) Provide technical inputs for the development and updating of Disaster Management Plans (district and departmental), ensuring integration of hazard-specific risk and mitigation measures;

(3) Support line departments in incorporating hazard-specific preparedness, response, and mitigation strategies into sectoral planning;

(4) Suggest appropriate structural and non-structural interventions based on risk assessments;

(5) Provide inputs for investment planning under the Mitigation Fund and other resilience-building initiatives.

(B) Capacity Building:

(1) Support the departments on integrating technical risk reduction measures in disaster planning;

(2) Support the departments and DDMAs on hazard-specific mitigation strategies and contingency planning;

(3) Develop SOPs, advisories, and protocols for high-risk events (e.g., earthquake response, flood evacuation);

(4) Contribute to the integration of hazard risk reduction in infrastructure planning and development control regulations;

(5) Conduct training sessions and capacity-building workshops for government officials and other stakeholders;

(6) Promote the application of geospatial tools, GIS mapping, and predictive data analytics in risk assessments.

(C) Stakeholder Coordination & Knowledge Sharing:

(1) Coordinate with government departments, scientific institutions, and technical agencies for a smooth implementation of the project;

(2) Facilitate cross-sectoral engagement to align risk mitigation strategies with state and national DRR priorities;

(3) Engage with communities and local institutions to promote inclusive and participatory planning approaches.

(D) Monitoring, Reporting & Compliance:

(1) Contribute to the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework by tracking hazard-specific indicators and outcomes;

(2) Develop indicators and tools to monitor risk trends and resilience outcomes;

(3) Prepare and submit technical inputs for reports, briefs, and planning documents;

(4) Ensure all deliverables align with relevant NDMA guidelines and the State Disaster Management Plan.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: 

Qualification:

Master’s degree in Disaster Management, Environmental Science, Engineering, Hydrology, Geography, Climate Science, or a related discipline.

Experience:
(1) Minimum five years of experience in hazard-specific risk assessment, DRR planning, or climate resilience;

(2) Prior experience with donor-funded projects, UN agencies, or development sector projects will be an asset;

(3) Additional experience in procurement of goods and services is desirable.

Skills and Competencies:
(1) Strong technical knowledge of a specific hazard domain (e.g., floods, earthquakes, heatwaves, etc.);

(2) Experience in hazard mapping and integration of risk data into planning processes.

Familiarity with national/state DRR frameworks and institutional mechanisms (e.g., NDMA, XV FC);

(3) Strong facilitation, communication, and capacity-building skills;

(4) Ability to translate technical data into actionable policy inputs.

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

Competencies:
Technical Competencies:

(1) Expertise in hazard-specific risk assessment and analysis, including vulnerability and exposure mapping;

(2) Experience in contributing to Disaster Management Plans (DMPs) at the state or district level;.

(3) Proficiency in GIS, remote sensing, and other geospatial tools for hazard and risk mapping;

(4) Knowledge of national/state DRR frameworks, including NDMA guidelines and UPSDMA processes;

(5) Ability to integrate climate change adaptation and resilience strategies into hazard mitigation planning.

Core Competencies:

(1) Delivers high-quality and timely outputs aligned with project objectives;

(2) Applies critical thinking and introduces innovative approaches to problem-solving;

(3) Adapts effectively to changing priorities and dynamic field conditions;

(4) Demonstrates persistence and accountability in achieving results;

(5) Builds strong partnerships and fosters collaboration with diverse stakeholders;

(6) Promotes inclusive, gender-responsive, and socially equitable planning approaches;

(7) Maintains regular, transparent communication with supervisors, UNDP office, government officials, and project partners;

(8) Proficient in using MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and digital communication tools for reporting, documentation, and coordination.

5. CONSULTANCY FEE:

The monthly consultancy fee for the position is budgeted at INR 1,25,000/-. 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: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

8. REFERENCE: HS-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 December 30, 2025.