State Project Coordinator: INSPIRE India (Consultant) (Open for Indian Nationals)

A. About the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

The  Asian  Disaster  Preparedness  Center  (ADPC)  is  an  autonomous  international  organization established for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes with a vision of safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1986 as a technical capacity-building center, ADPC has grown and diversified  its  expertise  across  social  and  physical  sciences,  envisioning  safer  communities  and sustainable  development  through  disaster  risk  reduction.  Being  an  autonomous  international organization governed by the Board of Trustees. It supports sustainable solutions for disaster risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas, with a wide range of professional expertise from atmospheric scientists to social scientists with experiences from all levels of engagement typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) effectively. 

ADPC’s Strategy 2030 guides the organization in providing comprehensive risk reduction support to countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific with various programs being implemented under 15 strategic  themes  by  three  departments,  namely  the  Preparedness  and  Climate  Actions,  Risk Analytics and Climate Services, and Risk Governance and Financing. In addition to these, ADPC also works  on  three  cross-cutting  themes:  Gender  and  Diversity,  Innovation,  and  Regional  and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees. These activities are supported by proactive individual departments of Finance, Human Resources and Administration. ADPC recognizes the importance of  examining  the  linkages  between  disaster risk  management,  poverty  reduction, gender equality, sustainability, rights-based approaches, climate change, and regional cooperation. For details, please refer to the ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net.

B. Department Introduction

The Preparedness and Climate  Actions  (PCA)  Department of  ADPC  focuses on enhancing  the preparedness  and  response  management  capacities  of  governments,  response  organizations, volunteers, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, communities, and other traditional and non-traditional actors of the Disaster Risk Management Ecosystem. It also strives to strengthen the capacity of institutions and at-risk communities for faster and more efficient disaster recovery. The department works with the above-stated actors to ensure that the regional, national, sub-national, and local disaster preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks and implementation plans are in place well before disaster strikes.

C. Statement Of Intent

The  Institutional  Strengthening  through  Preparedness  and  Inclusive  Response  in  India  (INSPIRE) Program - a collaborative initiative by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and state institutions in Odisha, Gujarat, and Kerala. The program aims to enhance institutional systems for disaster preparedness and climate action at the national and state levels, while contributing to regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal.

Through INSPIRE, ADPC works closely with national and state-level stakeholders to promote risk- informed  planning,  strengthen  local  capacities,  and  support  sustainable  disaster  management practices. The program focuses on advancing institutional leadership and technical capacities within strategic government institutions, enabling them to play a central role in managing disasters and responding to climate shocks. It also fosters the development of innovative, data-driven solutions and promotes cross-learning through structured regional collaboration.

In Odisha, INSPIRE is being implemented in line with the MoU between ADPC and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), signed on 19 March 2025. The programme supports the operationalization of the State Institute for Disaster Management (SIDM) as a competency centre, with a  focus  on  strengthening  modern  training  systems,  risk-informed  planning,  and  local-level preparedness, including through IT-enabled tools for grassroots stakeholders.

As part of the INSPIRE Programme, ADPC will support the design and development of a structured training curriculum to strengthen the capacities of PRI functionaries across the state. In parallel, the programme includes multiple state-level activities such as the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for disaster management systems, operationalization of knowledge and training systems, and implementation of stakeholder consultations and peer learning initiatives.

Given the scale and diversity of these activities, there is a requirement for dedicated implementation and coordination support to facilitate training rollout and support delivery of programme outputs across all workstreams in Odisha. 

The  consultant  will  support  the  State  Project  Manager  in  coordinating  and  facilitating  the implementation of INSPIRE Programme activities in Odisha, with a primary focus on the large-scale rollout  of  PRI  training  programmes  and  support  to  other  approved  activities  under  the  Odisha Workstream of the INSPIRE India program. 

D. Expected Outputs

Under the overall guidance of the State Project Manager in Odisha and in close coordination with the OSDMA, the INSPIRE India program team, the Consultant will be responsible for delivering the following outputs:

• Coordinate rollout of PRI training programmes based on INSPIRE-developed modules
• Consolidated tracking of programme activities across Odisha workstreams
• Support for the implementation of SOPs, knowledge systems, and training initiatives
• Documentation of trainings, consultations, and programme activities
• Periodic progress reports and coordination updates
• Support process documentation and lessons learned report
• Support Program Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

E. Responsibilities and Tasks

• Training Rollout Coordination (Primary Responsibility)
  • Support the rollout of training programmes in Odisha based on modules developed under INSPIRE. 
  • Coordinate  large-scale  implementation  across  districts  and  blocks  in  line  with  state- approved plans 
  • Coordinate in design, development, and finalization of training modules, schedules, and curricula for PRI training programmes. 
  • Facilitate    participant    mobilization,    scheduling,    and    logistical    arrangements    of approximately: 
    • 70,000 task force volunteers and CSMMC/FSMMC members across 936 cyclone and flood shelters 
    • 55,000 task force volunteers in 4,600 non-shelter villages 
• Programme-Wide Coordination Support
  • Support the State Project Manager in coordinating implementation of INSPIRE activities in Odisha. 
  • Track progress across program activities under Odisha Workstream, including training, SOP development, knowledge systems, and stakeholder engagement. 
  • Follow up with stakeholders on agreed actions and timelines. 
  • Support organization of consultations, workshops, and programme events. 
  • Ensure coordination and alignment across multiple program activities 
  • Provide technical support for establishing and strengthening SIDM 
    • Support in developing ideas and concept paper for setting up of Immersive learning center.
• Assist in organising a peer learning visit.
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
  • Support programme monitoring by tracking training progress, participation, and outputs. 
  • Contribute to Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) of INSPIRE in Odisha, including: 
  • Data collection tools 
  • Tracking targets and achievements
  • Draft M&E summaries and reports
• Assist in the preparation of periodic progress reports and updates 
  • Documentation and Knowledge Management
    • Provide support in preparation of comprehensive process document capturing: 
      • Implementation progress
      • Stakeholder coordination mechanisms 
      • Key lessons learned
    • Document stakeholder consultations, workshops, and learning events, including:
      • Meeting notes
      • Training reports
      • Briefs and knowledge products
    • Stakeholder Engagement
    • Organize and support stakeholder consultations, workshops, and learning events. 
    • Facilitate  coordination  between  ADPC,  OSDMA,  district  administrations,  and  partner institutions. 
    • Other Support
      • Undertake any other assignments as required by ADPC and OSDMA in line with programme objectives. 

This job description covers the general responsibilities and representative tasks of this position. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to program priorities and needs.

F. Reporting Relationship

In performing the duties and responsibilities indicated above, the Consultant will:

• Report to the State Project Manager in Odisha for INSPIRE
• Work in close coordination with OSDMA, SIDM and ADPC
• Maintain regular communication with district and state stakeholders in Odisha 

G. Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Specifications 

• Master’s degree in Disaster Management, Social Sciences, Rural Development, or related fields
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in DRR, capacity building, training programmes, or community-based disaster management in India. 
• Prior  experience  working with  OSDMA  and other  disaster-related  government  institutions  in Odisha  
• Working knowledge of Odia. 
• Strong coordination, communication, and documentation skills 
• Ability to manage large-scale field-based programmes 
• Excellent communication, coordination, and report writing skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Sound understanding of Odisha’s disaster profile, institutions, and governance systems. 
• Familiarity  with  IT-based  innovations,  good  practices  and  workable  solutions  for  DRM  and community-based disaster preparedness. 
• Self-motivated, proactive, and takes initiative. 
• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize work and time independently. 
• Excellent  interpersonal  and  communication  skills,  team-oriented  work  style,  and  experience working in a multicultural environment. 
• Strong desire to learn, undertake new challenges, must be a creative problem-solver and must have self-confidence, willingness to work hard, good sense of humor but with seriousness about the quality and excellence of work. 

H. Duty Station

Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with possible travel to districts and partner institutions as required.

I. Contract Duration

June 2026 – May 2027

J. Itinerary

During official missions outside the duty station, the Consultant will be entitled to local/international travel, daily subsistence allowance, accommodation, and other related travel costs as per ADPC financial policy. 

K. How to Apply

Interested candidates can submit the completed ADPC application form and financial proposal (downloadable from www.adpc.net), resume, and a copy of their degrees/certificates together with a cover letter to [email protected].

Interested candidates are required to submit a financial proposal using the attached form, together with all other required documents.

The email subject should clearly indicate the position being applied for, for example: 

[State Project Coordinator: INSPIRE India (Consultant) (Open for Indian Nationals)]. 

Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply. 

ADPC encourages diversity in its workplace and supports an inclusive work environment.