Specialist – Programmes

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure is hiring a Specialist – Programmes in Erode, Tamil Nadu, India. The role involves supporting the development and implementation of initiatives for disaster and climate resilience in infrastructure, engaging with stakeholders, conducting field reviews, and managing project documentation. Candidates should have a Master's degree and 5-8 years of relevant experience. The position is not remote.
Job Title: Specialist – Programmes

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.
Key Responsibilities:
• Support the development and implementation of initiatives within Strategic Areas of Technical Support and Capacity Development or Research & Knowledge Management.
• Seek, analyze, and apply knowledge, information, and best practices within all projects of CDRI.
• Support knowledge management, documentation of best practices and lessons learned from project implementation and facilitate dissemination in the appropriate format to relevant stakeholders.
• Engage with domain experts to ensure their support through the life cycle of projects, programmes, and initiatives.
• Undertake field reviews and prepare Back-to-Office Reports and documents meetings.
• 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.
• 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.
• Provide support in conducting upstream studies in the critical infrastructure sector (power, telecom, and transport) in general and new, emerging areas in particular.
• 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.).
• 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.
• 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.
Requirements:
• Master's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Infrastructure Planning, Transport Planning/Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Applied Sciences, Actuarial Sciences, or Economics.
• International education shall be an added advantage.
• 5-8 years of experience in a relevant position at the national or international level.
• Specific experience in critical infrastructure sectors, resilience, and disaster risk reduction within essential sectors of infrastructure shall be given additional weightage.
• 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:
• Expertise: Research, Critical Infrastructure (Power, Telecom, Transport), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), & Infrastructure Finance.
• Familiarity with international frameworks (e.g., SDGs, Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement).
• Project development, implementation, & management skills.
• Strong organizational, multitasking, & pressure-handling skills; detail-oriented.
• Experience in proposal & concept note development (costing, Scope of Work/SOW, tenders), especially for disaster/climate-resilient infrastructure, with stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills; flexible & adept at managing multiple priorities in demanding situations.
• Excellent English research & technical writing skills.
• Proven ability to work independently & deliver timely, quality products.
• Proficient: Project management software, MS Office suite, & other relevant tools.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary & multi-cultural teams.
• Experience in data analysis, including big data & GIS data.
• Experience in sectors related to DRR & climate change.
• Proven experience strategizing, developing, & implementing projects for international organizations in developing countries' public or private sectors.
Language Requirements:
• Fluency in English, both oral and written.
• Knowledge of any of the UN's official languages will be an asset.