Domain Expert – Urban Resilience

1. POSITION VACANT: Domain Expert – Urban Resilience, SAMS, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

2. ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Our Client, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development - from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment and resilience. With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to support the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

For more information about UNDP India, please visit https://www.undp.org/india

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, faces a wide spectrum of disaster risks owing to its diverse geography, high population density, rapid urbanization, and climatic vulnerabilities. Recurrent floods, seasonal droughts, heatwaves, earthquakes, industrial accidents, and urban disasters significantly disrupt lives, infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods. While the Government of Uttar Pradesh has taken commendable steps to strengthen disaster preparedness, existing institutional capacities and planning frameworks require substantial support to keep pace with the growing risks exacerbated by climate change.

Recognizing these challenges, the Relief Commissioner’s Office and the UPSDMA are partnering with UNDP to build a comprehensive, resilient, and forward-looking disaster risk management system. The proposal is aligned with the recommendations of the XV Finance Commission, which advocates for proactive disaster mitigation, preparedness, and risk-informed development planning.

UNDP’s technical assistance will support a multi-pronged approach, including and not limited to the development of District and Departmental Disaster Management Plans, Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (HRVAs), Urban Disaster Management Plans (UDMPs), and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). A dedicated team of experts will be deployed at the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (UPSDMA) office to provide strategic direction and technical coordination.

In this context, UNDP is looking to onboard a Domain Expert - Urban Resilience on a third-party contract for supporting the integration of climate and disaster risk reduction measures into urban planning and infrastructure development. S/he will conduct risk and vulnerability assessments, and assist in formulating resilience strategies and action plans. The expert will coordinate with municipal bodies, technical agencies, and communities to ensure inclusive and sustainable urban development. S/he will also support capacity building, monitoring, and policy advisory for enhanced urban resilience.

3. JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK (SOW):

Reporting to the Programme Specialist (Resilience), the Urban Resilience Expert will support the integration of climate and disaster risk reduction measures into urban planning and infrastructure development. S/he will conduct risk and vulnerability assessments, and assist in formulating resilience strategies and action plans. The expert will coordinate with municipal bodies, technical agencies, and communities to ensure inclusive and sustainable urban development. S/he will also support capacity building, monitoring, and policy advisory for enhanced urban resilience. Working closely with the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (UPSDMA), the Relief Commissioner’s Office (RAHAT), and UNDP, the expert will support the development of Urban Disaster Management Plans (UDMPs), guide risk-informed urban planning processes, and integrate hazard, climate, and social vulnerability considerations into decision-making frameworks.

The role will contribute to building institutional capacities and operationalizing a proactive, resilient, and inclusive urban disaster risk management ecosystem.

Duties and Responsibilities:
(A) Urban Risk Assessment & Planning:
(1) Facilitate the preparation and review of Urban Disaster Management Plans (UDMPs) for key cities in the state;
(2) Conduct or validate city-specific Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (HRVAs), incorporating urban-specific hazards such as heatwaves, urban flooding, and infrastructure collapse;
(3) Identify at-risk infrastructure, climate-sensitive zones, and socially vulnerable populations in urban areas.

(B) Collaboration with Key Institutions:
(1) Coordinate with the Relief Commissioner’s Office (RAHAT) and UPSDMA to align urban resilience efforts with state priorities and protocols;
(2) Support inter-agency coordination between municipal corporations, development authorities, and disaster management institutions.

(C) Climate & Social Vulnerability Integration:
(1) Mainstream climate change projections and social vulnerability indicators (e.g., gender, disability, marginalised groups) into urban risk assessments and planning tools;
(2) Ensure urban resilience strategies are inclusive, gender-responsive, and aligned with the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF) priorities.

(D) Technical Advisory & Institutional Strengthening:
(1) Provide technical guidance to urban local bodies (ULBs) and planning departments for integrating DRR and resilience in urban development plans and bylaws;
(2) Assist in drafting technical inputs for Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) with a focus on urban resilience infrastructure and systems.

(E) Capacity Building & Stakeholder Engagement:
(1) Design and implement training programmes for ULBs, engineers, planners, and city disaster management committees;
(2) Facilitate participatory planning processes, consultations, and multi-stakeholder workshops to ensure local ownership and sustainability.

(F) Data and Technology for Resilience:
(1) Support the operationalization and urban integration of the Disaster Management Information System (DMIS), including use of GIS, remote sensing, and real-time analytics;
(2) Promote evidence-based decision-making through data visualization and urban risk mapping tools.

(G) Documentation, Reporting & Knowledge Sharing:
(1) Document best practices, learnings, and innovations from urban resilience interventions;
(2) Prepare technical briefs, policy notes, and contribute to knowledge products in coordination with UPSDMA and RAHAT.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: 

Qualification:

Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Disaster Management, Environmental Studies, Civil Engineering, Social Sciences, or a related field. A specialization in resilience, climate change, or gender is an asset.

Experience:
(1) Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in urban resilience, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, or related urban development fields, preferably in coordination with government or multilateral agencies;
(2) Prior experience with donor-funded projects, UN agencies, or development sector projects will be an asset;
(3) Additional experience in procurement of goods and services is desirable

Skills and Competencies:
(1) In-depth knowledge of urban resilience, climate risk assessment, and disaster risk reduction in urban contexts;
(2) Understanding of national and global frameworks such as NDMA guidelines, Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT, Sendai Framework, and SDGs;
(3) Experience in integrating resilience into urban infrastructure planning and development;
(4) Proven ability to mainstream gender and social inclusion in urban resilience and DRR initiatives;
(5) Familiarity with urban governance systems, policies, and planning processes in India;
(6) Experience with vulnerability and risk assessments, including the use of participatory tools;
(7) Working knowledge of GIS, spatial analysis, and risk mapping tools (desirable);
(8) Strong project management skills, including coordination with government, civil society, and technical agencies;
(9) Ability to develop and track indicators for urban resilience outcomes;
(10) Excellent communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills;
(11) Proficiency in English; knowledge of a regional Indian language is desirable;
(12) Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and with diverse stakeholders

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Hindi is essential.

Competencies:

Technical Competencies:

(1) Expertise in climate risk and vulnerability assessments in urban contexts;
(2) Experience in integrating DRR and climate adaptation into urban planning and infrastructure design;
(3) Proficiency in spatial analysis and GIS-based urban risk mapping (desirable);
(4) Familiarity with national urban development policies and resilience frameworks (e.g., NDMA, AMRUT, Smart Cities);
(5) Ability to develop urban resilience strategies, action plans, and monitoring frameworks

Core Competencies:
(1) Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in urban risk and resilience contexts;
(2) Effective stakeholder engagement and coordination across government, civil society, and technical partners;
(3) Excellent communication and technical writing skills for diverse audiences;
(4) Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams;
(5) Commitment to inclusion, equity, and gender-responsive urban resilience planning.

5. CONSULTANCY FEE:

The monthly consultancy fee for the position is budgeted at INR 1,25,000/-. The professional fee will be subject to withholding taxes, as applicable.

6. NATURE OF ENGAGEMENT:

The selected candidate shall be engaged as a Consultant on the rolls of SAMS, a third-party payrolling agency, for a full-time consultancy engagement for a period of one year. It is explicitly clarified that this consultancy engagement does not constitute a promise or guarantee of future employment, with SAMS, or our client, or any other organization associated with the project. 

7. LOCATION: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

8. REFERENCE: DEUR-SAMS

9. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612

www.sams.co.in

10. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to apply by or before September 04, 2025.