Geotechnical Engineer

Climate resilience department

The overarching objective of Climate Resilience (CLR) Department of ADPC is to improve the resilience of people and systems to climate extremes and future climate change trends in Asia and the Pacific. It focuses on the development of climate risk information, tools, techniques, and systems to be used in risk management and climate change adaptation plans in multiple sectors at all levels. The CLR department aims to:

• Build human and technical capacity to generate science-based information to understand climate risks
• Develop impact-based forecasting systems at regional, national and local level to be able to understand the risks to people and landscapes
• Develop end-to-end multi-hazard early warning systems at the regional, national and local level to manage and minimize climate risks
• Improve the adaptive capacity of people and systems for better management of climate risks and impacts on socio-ecological and trans-boundary systems
• Improve access to risk information and knowledge for decision making for the safety and protection of at-risk communities
• Encourage women and marginalized groups to take part in local and national level policy and decision-making processes to ensure their climate risks are adequately addressed

Statement of intent

The Geotechnical Engineer will provide technical resource inputs as well as coordination support for implementing projects and programs of ADPC. In addition, he/she will be assisting the ADPC in promoting the landslide hazard and risk management related activities within and outside ADPC.

This position is located in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Note: It is not the intent of this Position Description to cover every aspect of the position requirements, rather highlight the most important areas of personal and joint responsibility.

Key responsibilities

Within delegated responsibility, Geotechnical Engineer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Develop GIS Exposure Databases of attributes of landslide hazard and conduct site-specific assessment of landslide susceptibility/exposure/vulnerability and analysis of landside risk
• Carry out landslide flow-path analysis and preparation of site-specific risk maps for delineating the communities, lifeline facilities, and infrastructure at risk
• Develop site-specific plans for landslide risk mitigation/management and development of guidelines for reduction of impacts in areas prone landslides and for community resilience building
• Assist in developing resettlement plans to reduce exposure levels of most vulnerable communities and developing policy recommendations for enhancement of resilience
• Assist in designing comprehensive landslide risk mitigation plans utilizing nature-based solutions (bio-engineering) and hybrid solutions (bio and geo engineering) for improving the slope stability
• Assist in the assessment of area-specific rainfall thresholds, developing/strengthening end to end early warning systems for landslide-prone areas and improvement of risk communication and warning dissemination to at-risk communities
• Provide technical inputs for development and delivery of related capacity building activities
• Coordinate and support landslide risk management activities of ADPC in the region, which includes the Program for Regional Capacity Enhancement for Landslide Impact Mitigation (RECLAIM), International Consortium of Landslide (ICL), etc.
• Liaise with ADPC Headquarters for providing resource inputs and coordination support for implementing projects in Sri Lanka and in the region
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director, Climate Resilience

Required qualifications

Education:

Bachelor or Master’s degree in one or more subjects such as Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology or other related fields.

Work experience:

• A minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience on geotechnical engineering or related field, out of which minimum of 2 years of experience in landslide susceptibility mapping, slope stability assessment, risk assessment and application of risk information into interventions designed to reduce physical & socio-economic impacts of communities living in landslide-prone areas
• Demonstrated professional engagement in landslide hazard information generation, landslide risk management/mitigation

Personal qualities:

• Maintains collaborative relationships within the working place
• Works effectively with diverse colleagues in own and outside working place
• Creates knowledge products endorsed for wider distribution based on lessons and multi-country experience
• Independently amends and clarifies messages and documents
• Actively supports work improvement and/or organizational change by work and deed
• Develops and adopts change plans to support office initiatives
• Considers current and future client needs in proposing ideas
• Vocalizes early support for change
• Recommends inputs to new policies, systems, and processes in the immediate work area

Languages: 

English is the working languages of ADPC. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Sinhala language is an advantage.

Reporting relationships

• Direct Supervisor on program management/ project activities: Director – Climate Resilience (CLR) Department
• Direct Supervisor on day-to-day operations and office administration and management: Country Representative

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

We encourage diversity in our workplace and support an inclusive work environment. Women are especially encouraged to apply.

Contract: One (1) years contract with possibility of extension.