Short Term Consultant (STC) for Knowledge Initiatives

Background

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is a multi-stakeholder global partnership of national governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and academic and knowledge institutions. It aims to address the challenges of building resilience into infrastructure systems and development associated with it. The vision, mission, goal, and objectives of the CDRI are explicitly linked to the post-2015 development agendas. The Coalition contributes to the resilience of the global infrastructure systems in an increasingly interconnected world. The outcome of such collaboration would be aimed at building resilient economies and resilient people through cross-sector commitments at all levels that will bring resilience action to global scale.

The CDRI supports countries to upgrade their systems for ensuring disaster and climate resilience of existing and future infrastructure. It seeks to rapidly expand the development of and retrofit resilient infrastructure to respond to the SDGs’ objectives of expanding universal access to basic services, enabling prosperity, and decent work. CDRI envisions enabling measurable reduction in infrastructure losses from disasters including extreme climate events.

CDRI is looking to engage a Short-Term Consultant (STC) for Fixed Term Contract of six (6) months to join a vibrant team of professionals driving the knowledge-led agenda of the Coalition.

Role and Responsibilities

Under supervision of the focal Lead Specialist, the STC will coordinate and support all activities in relation to CDRI’s knowledge initiatives, including but not limited to:

• Supporting the CDRI Research and Knowledge Management team in maintaining the CDRI knowledge base on disaster resilience of infrastructure, for instance through secondary literature review as well as synthesizing and collating data
• Coordination and support to CDRI Fellowship Programme activities, for instance, management of the current cohorts of fellows, and supporting the design and deployment of Cohort 2023-24 of the Programme
• Conceptualisation and development of select knowledge products / technical notes and thought pieces such as locating the DRI discourse in the context of Sustainable Development Goals, Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement etc.

Competencies

Essential

• Understanding of literature review processes; research approaches, methods and tools, hypothesis development, interpretation of results, preparing bibliography.
• Demonstrated experience of conducting research in any field of engineering, architecture, urban planning, earth sciences, environmental sciences, policy formulation, disaster management, or resilience, etc.
• Demonstrated competency in managing small projects
• Strong networking and communication skills – written and verbal.
• Familiarity with international frameworks, mainly Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
• Computer proficiency, especially related to standard office software packages (Microsoft Office, etc.).

Desirable

• Inclination to innovation and ability to visualise the potential of radical research ideas.
• Published/communicated    research  papers   in   national/international   peer reviewed publications, national and international conferences.
• Familiarity   with  issues   related  to   infrastructure   development, disaster        resilience infrastructures, etc.
• Familiarity with the global narrative on resilience, disaster risk reduction and climate change.
• Experience of developing concept notes, research proposals, and conducting research

Qualifications

Post-graduation in any relevant disciplines - engineering, architecture, urban planning, environmental sciences, earth sciences, management, or research fields relevant for CDRI.

Experience

Two years of overall experience at the national or international level. Candidates with PhD, specially related to research methods, infrastructure development, disaster risk reduction / resilience are encouraged to apply.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English.

How to Apply

If you meet the above criteria and want to make a lasting contribution to research and development in the domain of disaster resilient infrastructure, please apply at career@cdri.world on or before the 1 September 2022.

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 treated with strict confidence.

CDRI has ZERO Tolerance on 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 check.