Climate Resilience Technical Associate (Pakistan)

A. About Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)

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 to support sustainable solutions for risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas. ADPC has over 100 staff from 19 different nationalities and 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) in an effective manner. ADPC is a competent regional resource center and has seven thematic departments: ADPC Academy, Risk Governance, Climate Resilience, Urban Resilience, Health Risk Management, Preparedness for Response and Recovery, Geospatial Information. These are supported by Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Strategic Planning departments. In addition to the departments, ADPC works on three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Diversity, Poverty and Livelihoods, and Regional and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees.

ADPC Strategy 2020 guides the organization in providing comprehensive risk reduction support to countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. 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.

With financial support from the World Bank Group, ADPC is implementing a five-year (2020-2025) project, titled “Climate Adaptation and Resilience Project (CARE) for South Asia”. The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to create an enabling environment for climate resilience policies and investments in selected sectors (Agriculture, Policy, Planning and Finance, Transport and Water) across South Asia. This objective will be achieved through enhanced regional cooperation and knowledge exchange for climate resilience and adaptation and mainstreaming of resilience and adaptation in national policies, plans, and investments.

For details, please refer to ADPC website.

B. Background

Disasters take a huge toll on the development agenda of South Asian countries. Between 2000 and 2017, disasters in South Asia incurred estimated damages of US$ 149.27 billion. Public expenditure is under stress by the repeated need to reallocate capital budgets away from long term development planning and towards reconstruction activities in post-disaster environments. For example, since 2005, Pakistan has suffered losses on the order of US$ 16 billion due to natural disasters. Pakistan is also facing a diverse array of climate-related effects that have serious consequences across multiple sectors. These impacts include accelerated glacial melt, increased temperatures, desertification and sea-level rise. These phenomena lead to increased food insecurity and water scarcity. It is crucial to take immediate action to build resilience and adapt to these shifting climate patterns in order to protect the well-being of the population and promote sustainable development.

To increase resilience and achieve climate commitments, there is a need for a transformational shift toward policies and institutions that enable climate-resilient investments. Investing in more resilient infrastructure is both profitable and urgent as disruptions are extremely costly for governments, households and the private sector and large ongoing investments in infrastructure assets will have long-lasting repercussions as poor maintenance and natural disasters result in a vulnerable stock.

The Climate Resilience Technical Associate will be hired with the objective to support the country project team to smoothly implement the project and assist in contributing to an enabling environment for climate-resilient policies and investments in select sectors through the project activities identified by the Sector Focal Points in Pakistan.

Accordingly, a qualified and motivated Technical Associate will be required to support the Project Coordinator, Junior Research Associate (JRA) and the country team for the in-country implementation of Component-2 activities of the project.

C. Statement of Intent

The Climate Resilience Technical Associate will play a supporting role in the program’s presence in Pakistan to ensure technical coordination support to the country team. He/She will help ensure that projects are executed efficiently and effectively, adhering to technical specifications and timelines. It includes creating and maintaining technical documentation, and project management activities.

Note:

It is not the intent of this Terms of Reference to cover every aspect of the position requirements, rather to highlight the most important areas of personal and joint responsibilities.

D. Duties and Responsibilities

The associate shall provide the following inputs:

• Assist in maintaining accurate and up-to-date technical documentation is crucial for the project's implementation.
• Assist the Project Coordinator and Junior Research Associate in organizing, updating, and archiving technical documentation related to the project activities including project plans, technical specifications, manuals, guidelines, and other relevant documents
• Archiving technical outputs, providing technical assistance to team members, and maintaining technical documentation for all products developed by the project team in the country.
• Support ADPC in project-related activities under CARE for South Asia in the country to enhance policies, standards, and capacity for climate-resilient development in Pakistan.
• Perform other relevant tasks as assigned by the Project Director.

E. Expected Output/s

The associate is required to assist ADPC in performing technical assistance for the technical delivery of outputs related to the CARE for South Asia project in Pakistan including but not limited to technical reports, operational documents, communication materials, and information packs, etc.

F. Qualifications

The associate must have experience in providing technical and/or policy advisory on disaster risk management and/or climate change adaptation work. The detailed qualifications are:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in environmental studies, disaster management, development studies, international relations social sciences or a relevant field;
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in conducting research and analytical work in similar role is required;
• Knowledge of international and national Climate Change Acts, Policies and Frameworks would be an advantage;
• Proven record of strong research and analytical skills are required;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of written and spoken Urdu is required;
• A Pakistani national based in Islamabad would be preferred;
• Work experience in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan is not required but preferred;
• Cross cultural awareness and ability to work amongst a diverse group of staff, and partners;
• Required computer proficiencies: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams.

G. Reporting Relationships

The associate will report to the Project Director and work in close coordination with the country team

H. Contract Duration

The contract duration will be for 12 months (extension may be possible)

Expected start and end dates: TBD

Selection Method: The consultant will be selected in accordance with ADPC’s recruitment process and in compliance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations.

How to apply

Interested Candidates can submit the completed ADPC application form, (downloadable from ‘Join us’ in www.adpc.net), resume, copy of degrees/certificate(s) together with a cover letter, to: procurement.care@adpc.net

For inquiries, please contact to procurement.care@adpc.net

Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

ADPC encourage diversity in its workplace and support an inclusive work environment.