Expert in charge of infrastructure adaptation to climate change within the Coalition for Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

Project description:

In 2020, France joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), launched by India at the UNSG Climate Summit. The CDRI is a partnership of national governments, UN agencies and programmes, 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. Strategic priorities of CDRI are Technical Support and Capacity-building, Research and Knowledge Management, and Advocacy and Partnerships.

The Indian authorities requested France’s support for the CDRI initiative named Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS), launched at COP26, which aims to identify and design resilient infrastructure projects in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs responded favourably to this request during his visit to India in April 2021, announcing the creation of an ITE position, to bring French knowledge and know-how in the definition of CDRI resilience projects under the framework of the IRIS. The ITE will also be involved in other projects and initiatives of CDRI to provide technical support to member countries on infrastructure systems and promote disaster and climate resilience of infrastructure assets.

Description of the host institution:

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure Secretariat in New Delhi  

Description of assignment:

To provide technical expertise to CDRI on infrastructure resilience (the works themselves on the one hand as well as continuity of services rendered) to climate related disasters in the long term. The ITE must be able to provide expertise on the adaptation of the design of infrastructure (networked, green, social) to the effects of climate change, especially in the context of SIDS.

Main tasks and expected outcomes:

• Leading projects in the CDRI secretariat, in relation with the IRIS initiative team. Providing French expertise and know-how. Contributing to the identification and formalisation of resilient infrastructure projects in SIDS.
• Working as part of the dedicated IRIS team. Assisting in formulating a methodology and in local capacity building in SIDS.
• Correspondent of the Global ABC (Global Alliance for Buildings and Constructions, launched by France at COP21) at the CDRI and assisting in actions on building resilience.
• Helping strengthen both Indo-French relations and exchanges with other CDRI member countries (particularly those of the G20; Germany, UK, Italy, USA, Australia, as well as developing countries and the EU).
• Assisting in the implementation of the “Quality Infrastructure Investments QII” principles established at the G20 Osaka Summit.
• Helping disseminate CDRI-labelled training courses via the IFDD network (Institut de la Francophonie pour le Développement Durable).
• Working closely with other team members, including ITEs, if applicable, from other coalition countries. Supporting the the CDRI programme of activities and priorities.
• Regular meetings with the Counsellor for Global Affairs of the Embassy of France in Delhi, who follows the CDRI. Preparing brief annual activity reports for the Indian and French sides.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree at a minimum, relevant with this position (infrastructure, transport or energy, risk management, climate change, international development).
• Good knowledge of the standards and norms and complexities of infrastructure development.
• Qualifications in climate disaster risk management and project management will be an added advantage. 

Professional experience:

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience with at least 3 years of project management experience (at national or international level): project implementation modalities, administrative and technical specifications of tenders, and contract management in infrastructure (preferably power or transportation).
• Specific experience in disaster risk reduction projects would be an asset.
• Experience in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) would be an asset.