Specialist – Programmes

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is hiring a Specialist – Programmes in New Delhi, India. This role involves supporting the design, implementation, and monitoring of projects related to disaster resilience. Candidates should have 10 years of international experience across at least 5 countries. The position focuses on capacity-building, knowledge management, and applying best practices in disaster response and recovery initiatives.
1. POSITION(S) VACANT: Specialist – Programmes, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), New Delhi (Two Vacancies)

2. ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is a partnership of national governments, UN agencies and programs, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and knowledge institutions that aims to promote the resilience of new and existing infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks in support of sustainable development.

Mission

“To support countries to upgrade their systems to ensure disaster and climate resilience of existing and future infrastructure.”

Impact that CDRI Aims to Achieve

By 2050, over US$10 trillion of new and existing infrastructure investments and services are resilient to natural hazards and climate change through enhanced capacity, informed policy, planning, and management, leading to improved quality of environment, livelihood, and life of over 3 billion people.

CDRI Mandate & Value Proposition

CDRI has been envisioned and established as a global network to advance the agenda, support coordinated action among stakeholders, and focus on bringing voices from vulnerable geographies and populations to international policy forums. Internationally agreed-upon goals in the SFDRR, the SDGs, and the Paris Climate Agreement provide the foundational framework that guides the Coalition’s vision and mission.

As a global partnership, the Coalition aims to ensure that the investments of its members and partners are aligned and well-coordinated in support of the shared ambition of disaster and climate resilience of new and existing infrastructure.

Strategic Work Plan 2023-2026

CDRI’s Strategic Work Plan 2023-26 describes the broad contours of its priority actions and planned initiatives in the next four years setting out a clear direction for the Coalition to pursue a transformational agenda for DRI in response to a changing risk landscape and evolving on-ground realities of its members.

For more information about CDRI, please visit https://cdri.world/

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

Position:

The position is open to candidates of all nationalities.

All nationals demonstrating 10 years of international work experience in at least 5 countries across 2 UN geographic regions (from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and Oceania) would be considered for international positions (international hire).

Objective of the Position:

The Specialist – Programmes shall support the creation, design, implementation, and monitoring of studies and provide technical support relating to projects. This shall include disaster response and recovery support; innovation, institutional, and community capacity-building assistance; and standards and certification.

Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities include:

(1) Support the development and implementation of the delivery of initiatives within Strategic Areas of Technical Support and Capacity Development or Research & Knowledge Management.

(2) Seek, analyze, and apply knowledge, information, and best practices within all projects of CDRI.

(3) Support knowledge management, documentation of best practices and lessons learned from project implementation and facilitate dissemination in the appropriate format to relevant stakeholders.

(4) Engage with domain experts to ensure their support through the life cycle of projects, programmes, and initiatives.

(5) Undertake field reviews and prepare Back-to-Office Reports and documents meetings.

(6) Liaise with and coordinates among the CDRI Secretariat, government agencies, development partners, and various stakeholders to facilitate formulation, processing, administration, and monitoring of Technical Assistance (TA) in CDRI member countries within the critical infrastructure sector, including power, telecommunications, and transportation.

(7) Support task force, fact-finding, and appraisal missions, including, but not limited to, review of project/program designs, liaison with government officials, data and project/program costing, and implementation arrangements.

(8) Provide support in conducting upstream studies in the critical infrastructure sector (power, telecom, and transport) in general and new, emerging areas in particular.

(9) Support activities related to budget planning (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).

(10) Provide administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics and content, identifying and proposing participants, preparing background documents and presentations, handling logistics, etc.

(11) Help organize, contribute to, supports, and participates in meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops, including country missions; Coordinate and support other specialists in Research and Knowledge Management, Technical Support and Capacity Development as well as Advocacy and Partnerships teams for development and dissemination of research and knowledge products at national and international platforms through CDRI and other agencies.

(12) Performs other duties related to the CDRI, as assigned.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

Qualifications:

(1) Master’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Infrastructure Planning, Transport Planning/ Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Applied Sciences, Actuarial Sciences, or Economics.

(2) International education shall be an added advantage.

Experience:

(1) 5-8 years of experience in a relevant position at the national or international level.

(2) Specific experience in critical infrastructure sectors, resilience, and disaster risk reduction within essential sectors of infrastructure shall be given additional weightage.

(3) Experience of working in an international organization and with a diverse number of partners comprising Governments, the UN, multi-lateral systems, industry, financial institutions, and knowledge and research institutions in multi-country locations, is required.

Skills:

(1) Expertise: Research, Critical Infrastructure (Power, Telecom, Transport), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), & Infrastructure Finance.

(2) Familiarity with international frameworks (e.g., SDGs, Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement).

(3) Project development, implementation, & management skills.

(4) Strong organizational, multitasking, & pressure-handling skills; detail-oriented.

(5) Experience in proposal & concept note development (costing, Scope of Work/SOW, tenders), especially for disaster/climate-resilient infrastructure, with stakeholder engagement.

(6) Excellent communication & interpersonal skills; flexible & adept at managing multiple priorities in demanding situations.

(7) Excellent English research & technical writing skills.

(8) Proven ability to work independently & deliver timely, quality products.

(9) Proficient: Project management software, MS Office suite, & other relevant tools.

(10) Experience working in multi-disciplinary & multi-cultural teams.

(11) Experience in data analysis, including big data & GIS data.

(12) Experience in sectors related to DRR & climate change.

(13) Proven experience strategizing, developing, & implementing projects for international organizations in developing countries' public or private sectors.

5. REPORTING LINE:

The incumbent will report to the Lead Specialist or the appropriate role per the approved organizational structure.

6. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

(1) Fluency in English, both oral and written.

(2) Knowledge of any of the UN's official languages will be an asset.

7. SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Competitive.

8. LOCATION:

CDRI Secretariat, New Delhi, India.

9. CONTRACT DURATION:

Fixed Term Contract (3 years), extendable for up to another 3 years.

10. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS

Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.

1/1B Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar

New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110025

Phone Nos.: 011-4081 9900; 4165 3612

11. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to submit their Cover Letters and Resumes by or before June 12, 2025 at the following link: https://bit.ly/Apply-SP-CDRI-SAMS . The Cover Letter should be a maximum of two pages, discussing the candidate’s interest and suitability for the role.

CDRI is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treatedwith strict confidence.

CDRI has ZERO Tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and gender / racial discrimination. Any selection, therefore, will be subject to satisfactory reference and background checks.

[Note: Data Privacy (DPDPA Compliance): Personal data submitted by all applicants, including international candidates, for recruitment purposes, will be processed by SAMS in accordance with India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDPA).]