Risk Assessment Specialist

About the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)

ADPC is an intergovernmental regional organization with a vision to reduce disaster and climate risk impacts on communities and countries in Asia and the Pacific by working with governments, development partners, international organizations, NGOs, civil society, private sector, media and other key stakeholders. In addition to its headquarter in Bangkok, Thailand, ADPC currently has offices/representation in 11 additional countries.

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. With over 100 staff from 19 different nationalities and a wide range of professional expertise from atmospheric scientist to social scientists with experiences from all levels of engagement typically required for disaster risk reduction and climate resilience 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 address 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.

ADPC takes various levels of actions in a close connection with the national, regional and global frameworks including; e.g. ASEAN, SAARC, MRC, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (SFDRR), the Paris Agreement for climate change, the New Urban Agenda, the World Humanitarian Summit, etc

The Geospatial Information Department

The overall goal of the Geospatial Information Department of ADPC is to increase uses of geospatial technology, data, and information by countries in Asia for supporting decision making related to disaster risk management and climate resilience. The department supports all thematic areas of focus of ADPC to achieve their goals, mainly through:

• Increased accessibility and technical capacity to develop, maintain, and use geospatial information including disaster and climate risk maps, forecasted and real-time disaster data for early warning, and damage data for post-disaster assessment and recovery planning,
• Increased awareness by decision makers on applications of geospatial information in disaster risk management and climate resilience decision making, and
• Geospatial solutions, such as maps, tools, models, and data, customized to the demands of stakeholders

Addressing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Priority 1, Understanding Risk, ADPC has been at the forefront in the Asia and Pacific region in supporting countries conduct disaster risk assessment and use the risk information for guiding risk reduction activities. Some flagship programs include the multi-hazard risk assessment and mapping for Bangladesh, national and provincial risk profiles of Lao PDR, national risk assessment and mapping for Cambodia, detailed seismic hazard and risk assessment for cities in Bangladesh, and provincial risk assessment in Thailand. ADPC continues to promote understanding of the disaster risk while bringing innovation such as satellite technology, crowd mapping technology, and data management to further enhance risk assessment experience and utilization in Asia and the Pacific.

The Geospatial Information Department of ADPC is seeking qualified candidates to fill its Risk Assessment Specialist position. We are expecting candidates who have backgrounds in structural/civil engineering or one of the technical fields required for hazard assessment such as hydrology (e.g., for flood hazard assessment), geology, and seismology. More importantly, candidates who can demonstrate professional experience in applying those scientific areas in conducting risk assessments at any geographic levels will be considered favorably.

Statement of intent

The Risk Assessment Specialist will provide technical leadership as well as subject-matter-expert inputs to risk assessment projects assigned to the Geospatial Information Department. In addition, she/he will be assisting the Director of Geospatial Information in achieving the department’s objectives within and outside ADPC.

This position is located in Bangkok, Thailand, and reports to the Senior Risk Assessment Specialist.

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

Key Responsibilities

Technical:

• Contribute technically in risk assessment projects particularly in one or many of the following areas:
  • Analyze relevant science-based information to create hazard zonation maps, including but not limited to earthquake, flood, landslide, windstorm, drought, and coastal/river erosion hazards.
  • Conduct vulnerability assessment of elements-at-risk to hazards, including buildings, infrastructure, lifelines, at-risk population considering their social status. 
  • Analyze potential impacts from the estimated hazard and vulnerability for different development sectors, considering the various multi-hazard approaches.
  • Using the science-based risk information, make a recommendation for risk-informed decisions and management practices to disaster management authorities, development agencies, as well as communities and the private sector.
• Conduct technical training on hazard, vulnerability, and risk assessment, per the details provided in the point above.
• Develop user-oriented technical reports and methodological guidelines for a technical and nontechnical audience.
• Package scientific and technical information in visualizing and communicating risk to a technical and non-technical audience.
• Design and conduct research to further advance hazard, vulnerability, and risk assessment approaches of ADPC.
• Provide inputs for developing new project proposals.
• Provide technical inputs for the other projects/programs of ADPC. 

Project management:

• Manage disaster risk assessment and other relevant projects using strategic approaches to achieve project goals and ensure the sustainability of project efforts.
• Coordinate and communicate to effect smooth project implementation with other project managers and team members.
• Utilize project resources efficiently and manage project finance.
• Develop detailed work and financial plans.
• Conduct project monitoring and evaluation.
• Lead the development of knowledge products from the projects.
• Communicate project results to target audiences and maintain a network of relevant external partners that could play a part in future project development.
• Guide partner institutions in implementing projects.

Corporate responsibilities:

• Provide technical resource inputs to all other departments including ADPC training programs.
• Participate in corporate functions and external events, as required.
• Collaborate with Government officials, NGO, IGO, donors and other stakeholders at the International, National, Sub-national, and Community levels.
• Initiate various documents to support the implementation of activities of the department such as contract agreements, statement of work for consultants, MOU, and agreements, in accordance with the approved procedures and policies of ADPC.

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Professionalism: Ability to communicate clearly links between ADPC’s strategy and the Geospatial Information Department’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership in projects by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of the projects. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment; Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Planning and organizing: Develops clear objectives that are consistent with agreed project goals; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Managerial competencies:

• Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities, and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
• Building trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidences in colleagues, staff members, and clients; gives proper credit to theirs; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Qualifications

• At least a Master’s degree in one or more subjects such as Civil/Structural Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Geology, Seismology, or Hydrology
• At least 5 years of direct professional experience in disaster risk assessment
• Experience in managing hazard/vulnerability/risk assessment projects considered favorably
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of hazard-specific information application, translation/interpretation and dissemination to all levels including sector specific stakeholders
• Excellent English proficiency in oral and written communication, including a demonstrated track record in technical report writing and ability to communicate technical matters effectively to a general audience

Personal qualities

• Self-motivated, pro-active and takes initiative
• Demonstrated ability and plan and organize work and time independently
• Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience in working in a multi-cultural environment
• Strong desire to learn, undertake new challenges, must be a creative problem-solver, must have self-confidence, willingness to work hard, good sense of humor but with seriousness about the quality and excellence of work.

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

Reporting relationships

Direct supervisor: Senior Risk Assessment Specialist, Geospatial Information Dept.

The following staff (In HQ and country office) positions may be supervised by the successful candidate: GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist, GIS Associate, Consultants for a specific hazard assessment

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