Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.

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 supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to develop solutions in three strategic portfolios:

Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.
South-South cooperation, gender equality, and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars.

The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

Maharashtra is one of the country’s most disaster-prone states, which is equally vulnerable to natural as well as manmade disasters alike. The geographical location as well as demography of the State along with its climatology and rapid industrialization makes the state vulnerable to a host of hydro-meteorological, and geological disasters as well as other human-made disasters like Industrial accidents etc.

UNDP has been providing technical support to the Maharashtra State Government in various Disaster Risk Reduction-related initiatives over the past three decades. In the aftermath of the Floods of 2019, UNDP developed a comprehensive Recovery Programme for the State Government. In continuation, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reached out to UNDP to provide support in developing a robust decision support system for Mumbai city. This will start with conducting an HRVA for the city accompanied by the inclusion of the HRVA into the command control system with live integration of the data at various nodes.

In this context, UNDP wishes to hire a Technical Associate – Disaster Management to be stationed at the BMC, Mumbai to provide the necessary support in the project implementation at the city level. The individual will support the day-to-day functioning of the BMC Department and will also support the UNDP in the implementation of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Technical Associate-Disaster Management will support the BMC in conducting the HRVA and developing the command control system for the administration. S/He will help in providing the required data to the partner agencies. Moreover, support the program at the State level by supporting the State Project Officer in the creation of proposals and activities to be developed under the 15th FC. This will include the implementation and reviewing of community resilience activities, creation of departmental district plans, assisting in the designing and execution of school safety programs in the State, assisting in mainstreaming of Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives in the developmental works of the State Government and assisting in the conduct of Post Disaster Needs Assessment Trainings in the State. S/He will also be responsible for supporting the State Project Officer (Resilience), Maharashtra in carrying out any other DRR-related activities for the State when needed.

The Technical Associate – Disaster Management (DM) will function under the supervision of the Programme Officer, Resilience, and will work under the overall guidance of the Head, Action on Climate and Environment.

S/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives with other team members.

Assist the State Project Officer (SPO) and the Department of Relief and Rehabilitation in the implementation of various activities to be carried out under the program and conduct primary and secondary research required under any of the project activities, especially finalizing the data required for MHRVA.
Work towards the live integration of the developed data at the city level. It will be the responsibility of the Technical Associate to ensure coordination with all the agencies in/ affiliated with the Mumbai Corporation to collect the relevant data for the study as well as become the link between the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the agencies carrying out the exercise.
Provide inputs on the technical reports developed under the project and provide technical advice to the unit as and when requested by the supervisor. Contribute to the development of modules and assist in creating a roadmap for various community resilience-building initiatives in the State.
Coordinate with third party agencies to make sure that the deliverables are aligned with the project outputs and provide inputs on hazard specific interventions like that of flood, drought, landslide etc. to the state government.
Review the deliverables submitted by the agency and provide technical input as well. Assist in the coordination of training for various target groups in the State for PDNA.
Assist the State Government and specific departments of the State Government in the creation of / vetting of proposals/ detailed reports as may be required to harness the funds under the XVth Finance Commission from the State Disaster Risk Management

Competencies

Core competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy

Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPs objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible Solutions; Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Development

Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need

Business Management

Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Digital & Innovation

Data storytelling and communications: Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.

Geospatial analysis: Skilled in techniques which study entities using their topological, geometric, or geographic properties.

Digital ecosystems: Knowledge of how they work, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society

External Relations & Advocacy

Event planning and execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary education is required.
A university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in disaster management, environmental sciences or related field will be given due consideration, but itis not a requirement.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of work experience with secondary education or 4 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree in the arena of Disaster Management/ Disaster Risk Reduction.
High-level of IT/computing skills (minimum: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
Ability to create concise reports and prepare detailed project proposals.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to prioritize assignments and requirements, and multitask as needed;
Basic knowledge of Disaster Management Functioning Framework at the State Level and well as sound knowledge of functioning of the State Government is essential.
Demonstrated experience working with a multilateral or international organization is desirable.
Experience in working with the State/Central Governments and know about their functioning is desirable.
Work experience of having worked in the arena of urban DRR will be an added advantage.
Any other work as directed by the supervisor.

Required languages:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English
Knowledge of Hindi and Marathi is desirable.

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