Slope Stabilization Expert, SAMS, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

1. POSITION VACANT: Slope Stabilization Expert, 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 Slope Stabilization Expert, based at the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in Shimla. To provide technical leadership for slope stability assessment, landslide mitigation, and implementation of sustainable stabilization measures in disaster-prone areas.

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

The key purpose of the Slope Stabilization Expert’s role shall be to assess unstable slopes, design stabilization interventions, and support risk reduction planning for landslide-prone regions; to strengthen early warning, monitoring, and rapid response capabilities for slope failures; to ensure sustainable, eco-friendly, and technically sound stabilization measures are integrated into state DRR planning and infrastructure projects.

The Slope Stabilization Expert shall report to the Programme Specialist (Resilience).

Duties and Responsibilities:

Slope Stability Assessment:

• Conduct field surveys and geotechnical investigations to evaluate slope conditions.
• Analyze factors contributing to instability, including soil type, slope angle, hydrology, and seismic activity.

Design and Implementation of Stabilization Measures:

• Design appropriate slope stabilization techniques, such as:
• Structural Measures: Retaining walls, gabion walls, soil nailing, and ground anchors.
• Drainage Solutions: Surface and subsurface drainage systems to control water infiltration.
• Bioengineering Solutions: Vegetative cover, coir mats, and geotextiles for erosion control.
• Hybrid Solutions: Combining structural and bioengineering methods for cost-effective results.
• Supervise the construction and implementation of these measures.

Risk Mitigation Planning:

• Identify high-risk zones and propose mitigation strategies to prevent future slope failures.
• Recommend land use changes and restrictions in highly vulnerable areas.

Monitoring and Early Warning Systems:

• Assist in the installation of slope monitoring instruments, such as inclinometers and rain gauges.
• Develop thresholds for slope movement and rainfall to issue early warnings.

Disaster Response and Post-Event Analysis:

• Provide on-site support during landslide or slope failure events.
• Conduct post-disaster assessments to evaluate slope damage and recommend recovery measures.

Policy and Planning Contributions:

• Collaborate with policymakers to integrate slope stabilization measures into disaster management and land-use planning.
• Contribute to the preparation of guidelines and standards for slope stabilization under SDMF.

Research and Development:

• Explore innovative materials and methods for slope stabilization.
• Study the impacts of climate change on slope stability and develop adaptive strategies.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Train engineers, disaster management teams, and local authorities in slope stabilization techniques.
• Conduct workshops and awareness programs for communities living in landslide-prone areas.

Environmental Considerations:

• Ensure that slope stabilization measures are eco-friendly and sustainable.
• Work with environmental specialists to minimize ecological impacts during stabilization activities.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Prepare detailed project reports, including designs, cost estimates, and progress updates.
• Document lessons learned and best practices for future reference.

Evaluation

• Evaluation of DPRs submitted for the funding to the 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
• Preparation of Detail Projects Reports

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: 

Qualification:

(1)  Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Civil Engineering (with geotechnics), or Earth Sciences.

(2)   Additional certification or training in landslide risk assessment, slope stability modelling, or related DRR fields is desirable.

Experience:

(1) Minimum 3–5 years of experience in slope stability analysis, landslide mitigation, geotechnical design, or terrain risk assessment.
(2) Experience in government/SDMA projects, infrastructure stabilization works, or DPR preparation/evaluation is an advantage.

Required Skills:
(1) Strong understanding of slope failure mechanisms, geotechnical investigations, and soil–rock mechanics.

(2) Expertise in designing structural, drainage, bioengineering, and hybrid slope stabilization measures.

(3) Knowledge of monitoring systems (inclinometers, piezometers, rain gauges) and early warning thresholds.

(4) Familiarity with GIS, remote sensing, and geotechnical analysis tools for hazard zonation and modelling.

(5) Understanding of environmental safeguards, sustainable stabilization practices, and climate impacts on slope behaviour.

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

Competencies:

Technical Competencies:

(1) Ability to conduct field surveys, stability analysis, and interpret geotechnical test results.

(2) Skilled in preparing designs, cost estimates, and DPRs for slope stabilization projects.

(3) Competence in supervising on-ground implementation of stabilization measures and ensuring quality control.

(4) Capability to analyse post-event failures and recommend corrective and recovery interventions.

(5) Proficiency in integrating multi-criteria risk mitigation strategies into land-use and disaster management plans.

Core Competencies:

(1) Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities for complex slope and terrain issues.

(2) Effective communication and coordination with engineers, geologists, policymakers, and communities.

(3) Ability to train officials and conduct community-based awareness in landslide-prone areas.

(4) Project management skills, including planning, monitoring, documentation, and reporting.

(5) High adaptability, teamwork, and responsiveness during emergency situations 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: SSE-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.