Earthquake Risk Mitigation Specialist

GeoHazards International (GHI) seeks to hire a full-time Earthquake Risk Mitigation Specialist for a school and hospital earthquake safety project conducted in partnership with the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, described below. The Mitigation Specialist will be based in Delhi, India, and the expected duration of the project will be two years.

GeoHazards International (GHI) is a not-for-profit organization working to reduce loss of life and suffering around the world in communities most vulnerable to natural hazards. We envision of a world in which all communities can develop their
economies, governments and cultures unimpeded by setbacks from natural disasters. To attain this, we work to create a world that devotes as many resources to preparing for and preventing the consequences of natural disasters as it devotes to responding to and recovering from them.

The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) is a partnership of 36 countries and 6 international organizations committed to helping developing countries reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards and adapt to climate change. The partnership’s mission is to mainstream disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in country development strategies by supporting a country-led and managed implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). GHI and GFDRR are engaging in a partnership for School and Hospital Earthquake Safety in priority countries in South Asia. The primary outcome of this partnership with GFDRR will be the development of two consensus-based, country-owned draft national action plans (NAPs) for school and hospital earthquake safety in South Asia. GHI will facilitate the development of these draft action plans through regional and national workshops, smaller consultations with key stakeholders, and focused interactions with stakeholder working groups.

The selected Mitigation Specialist would be an Indian citizen who would be able to “lead from the side” and competently carry out the following primary responsibilities: • Organizing in-country and regional stakeholders in school and hospital earthquake safety to develop draft National Action Plans for school and hospital earthquake safety in India in coordination with the overall regional project. • Facilitating the work and meetings of working groups that will develop the draft National Action Plans in complete coordination with the Government of India. • Drafting the National Actions Plans for school and hospital earthquake safety, under the direction of the working group leader and the guidance of the working group members; • Making logistical arrangements and providing support for project workshops; • Documenting lessons and good practices; • Any other task as assigned by the Project Manager or Regional Coordinator.

The Mitigation Specialist would conduct work under the supervision of GHI’s working group leader, Regional Coordinator and Project Manager, and would report directly to the Regional Coordinator. In addition, it is expected that the Mitigation Specialist would have an active role in current and proposed GHI school and hospital earthquake safety projects in India.

Successful applicants will demonstrate that they are capable of successfully coordinating diverse groups of stakeholders, managing working relationships between project participants, and handling logistical and administrative tasks. Applicants must be graduates or post graduates and should have at least three years of post education work experience in disaster management, public policy, health, education, or an earthquake-related technical field (for example, geology, seismology, structural engineering, or geotechnical engineering).

The position requires excellent English writing skills, which applicants will be required to demonstrate through a writing test. In addition, the successful applicants will have excellent verbal communication skills in English as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills in Hindi. Applicants should have excellent computer skills.

Starting compensation will be based on experience and demonstrated competencies. Adjustments in salary, if any, will be based on performance evaluations.

To be considered for this position, please submit your curriculum vitae to GHI Project Manager Dr. Janise Rodgers electronically at rodgers@geohaz.org and hari@geohaz.org

GeoHazards International is an equal opportunity employer.

Closing date: 30 Apr 2011 — GeoHazards International