Landslide Expert SAMS, Dharamshala

1. POSITION VACANT: Landslide Expert SAMS, Dharamshala, 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 Landslide Expert, based at the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in Shimla. The expert will provide advanced technical support in landslide risk assessment, mapping, and mitigation, and will contribute directly to building the state’s resilience against one of its most pressing hazards.

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

Reporting to Programme Specialist (Resilience), the Landslide Expert will provide specialized technical expertise in landslide risk assessment, mapping, and mitigation, thereby strengthening Himachal Pradesh’s techno-legal regime for building codes and supporting the development and implementation of comprehensive landslide risk reduction strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Landslide Expert will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

(A) Risk Mapping and Assessment
(1) Lead or contribute significantly to the commissioning and oversight of comprehensive landslide risk mapping for Shimla and Dharamshala in coordination with SDMA and DDMA.
(2) Ensure technical rigor across GIS analysis, slope stability assessments, and hydrological, geological, and climatic data integration.
(3) Develop and maintain a comprehensive landslide inventory for the state.

(B) Technical Guidance on Risk Maps
(1) Provide inputs across key elements of landslide risk maps including susceptibility and hazard zoning, vulnerability assessment of infrastructure and communities, integration with early warning systems, and clear evacuation routes.
(2) Ensure risk maps are publicly accessible, user-friendly, and employ effective visualization techniques.

(C) Strengthening the Techno-Legal Regime
(1) Contribute to gap analyses on adoption of building by-laws by urban local bodies with a focus on seismic and landslide resilience.

(2) Support the integration of landslide risk mitigation into building codes and urban planning processes.

(D) Capacity Building
(1) Develop and deliver training modules for engineers, architects, geologists, and government officials to enhance their capacities in structural safety and landslide risk mitigation.
(2) Provide mentorship and technical guidance to state-level training institutions.

(E) Policy Support and Roadmap Development
(1) Provide technical input for establishing policy bodies modeled on Aizawl Municipal Corporation’s Landslide Policy Committee.

(2) Contribute to the preparation of a multi-year roadmap for landslide mitigation in Himachal Pradesh

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: 

Qualification:

Master’s degree (or higher) in Geology, Geophysics, Geoinformatics, Civil Engineering (with specialization in Geotechnical Engineering or Remote Sensing), Disaster Management, or a closely related field from a recognized institution.

Experience:

(1) Minimum of 7 years of progressive professional experience in landslide hazard assessment, risk mapping, geotechnical investigations, and/or landslide mitigation projects.

(2) Prior experience working with government agencies, international organizations, or large-scale development projects, preferably in DRR in hilly or seismically active regions.

(3) Prior experience in coordinating with government agencies, NGOs, or technical institutions is an asset.

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

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

Skills and Competencies:
(1) Proficiency in GIS and Remote Sensing software for spatial analysis and hazard mapping.

(2) Strong knowledge of landslide mechanisms, slope stability, and geotechnical principles.

(3) Ability to interpret geological, hydrological, and climatic data for risk assessment.

(4) Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and technical writing skills.

(5) Strong communication and presentation skills for engaging technical and non-technical stakeholders.

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

Competencies:

Technical Competencies:

(1) Knowledge of national and international standards and best practices in landslide risk reduction and resilient infrastructure.

(2) Familiarity with building codes and techno-legal frameworks for landslide and seismic safety.

(3) Experience in designing and delivering training programmes for professional and institutional stakeholders.

(4) Ability to integrate socio-economic vulnerability into landslide risk assessments.

(5) Experience in developing long-term policy frameworks and mitigation roadmaps.

Core Competencies:

(1) Ability to design practical, innovative approaches to landslide risk challenges.

(2) Proven ability to work effectively with government, academia, and communities.

(3) Strong skills in prioritization and result-focused delivery under pressure.

(4) Ability to maintain effectiveness in dynamic contexts and adjust to evolving needs.

(5) Commitment to achieving tangible outcomes and producing high-quality technical outputs.

5. CONSULTANCY FEE:

The monthly consultancy fee for the position shall Rs. 99,101 PM.

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: Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

8. REFERENCE: LE-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 at the earliest