Job Description
Lead Specialist – Research
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Organization
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Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
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Location
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New Delhi, India
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Grade and No. of position
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Lead Specialist (1)
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Salary and Benefits
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Competitive
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Contract
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Fixed Term Contract (3 years), extendable for up to another 3 years, Full-Time, National /International Hire.
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Applications Closing date
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Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to early submissions during the shortlisting and selection process. The position will remain open until it is filled.
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About CDRI
The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is a partnership of national governments, UN agencies and programs, 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.
Mission
“To support countries to upgrade their systems to ensure disaster and climate resilience of existing and future infrastructure.”
Impact (that CDRI aims to achieve)
By 2050, over US$10 trillion of new and existing infrastructure investments and services are resilient to natural hazards and climate change through enhanced capacity, informed policy, planning, and management, leading to improved quality of environment, livelihood, and life of over 3 billion people.
CDRI Mandate & Value Proposition
- CDRI has been envisioned and established as a global network to advance the agenda, support coordinated action among stakeholders, and focus on bringing voices from vulnerable geographies and populations to international policy forums. Internationally agreed-upon goals in the SFDRR, the SDGs, and the Paris Climate Agreement provide the foundational framework that guides the Coalition’s vision and mission.
- As a global partnership, the Coalition aims to ensure that the investments of its members and partners are aligned and well-coordinated in support of the shared ambition of disaster and climate resilience of new and existing infrastructure. The two unique yet interconnected roles that CDRI shoulders in this direction are:
- A Strong Coalition Driving Collaborative DRI Action: In 2026, CDRI stands as a partnership of 58 member countries and 12 partner organizations. The Coalition enjoys robust political support, which propels its efforts to advance the interests of its members and partners.
- A Solution-Focused Centre of Excellence for DRI: As a Centre of Excellence for DRI, the Coalition strengthens the individual and collective capacities of its members and partners by aggregating and sharing knowledge, brokering need- based partnerships, and strengthening capacities through collaborative learning and action.
Strategic Work Plan 2023-2026
CDRI’s Strategic Work Plan 2023-26 describes the broad contours of its priority actions and planned initiatives in the next four years. The Strategic Work Plan sets out a clear direction for the Coalition to pursue a transformational agenda for DRI in response to a changing risk landscape and evolving on-ground realities of its members. In the next four years, the Coalition will continue to leverage the expertise of its Member Countries and partners to develop context-specific, innovative solutions for resilient infrastructure towards the achievement of national priorities and global commitments of its members.
With the strategic work plan for 2023 – 2026, CDRI has set out the following strategic outcomes.
Strategic Outcome 1: A strong Coalition that has the membership, resources, and global leadership to drive global, national, regional, and local DRI action.
Strategic Outcome 2: Global DRI research, Coalition-led peer engagement, and CDRI-curated and generated knowledge promote risk-informed policy and practice.
Strategic Outcome 3: Enhanced capacities of government, private enterprises, and communities to implement post-disaster recovery and DRI action at scale.
CDRI Headquarters (Secretariat)
Position
All nationals demonstrating 10 years of international work experience in at least 5 countries across 2 UN geographic regions (from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and Oceania) would be considered for international positions (International hire).
Objective of this position:
To conceptualize, design, deliver and anchor all research activities in line with CDRI’s goals and objectives from CDRI’s Research and Knowledge Management outlook.
Role and Responsibilities:
The Lead Specialist – Research will be required to provide technical inputs related, but not limited to:
1. Leadership of Research (30%)
- Lead CDRI’s research activities. Identify research areas, develop concept notes/ proposals and contribute to the overall research and knowledge management activities envisioned for CDRI.
- Lead and conceptualize evidence and database on disaster resilience of infrastructure.
- Lead development of tools, methods and studies for disaster resilience of infrastructure, e.g., data analysis and visualization; disaster resilience impact metrics; and case studies.
- Lead research outputs on themes relevant to disaster resilience unique to CDRI.
- Lead and/or carry out assessments of disaster and climate risk for infrastructure systems that can be mainstreamed into investment projects under preparation by the MDBs, DFIs,
- and the private sector, in partnership with governments.
- Lead and contribute to a wide range of products on disaster and climate resilience of infrastructure topics, including peer-reviewed scientific papers, policy briefs, reports, rapid-response statements, op-eds, social media posts and presentations addressed to experts and non-experts, and provide scientific advice to non-specialists.
- Lead and contribute to the writing, editing and submission of project proposals.
- Lead and create a strong culture of research excellence across CDRI by working with different teams.
- Develop and oversee experimental research activities related to infrastructure resilience.
- Maintain a line of sight on the gaps in current understanding of disaster resilience of infrastructure – challenges and solutions to shape the narrative.
- Extend support in the development of a repertoire of knowledge products and publications in line with CDRI’s goals and objectives.
- Ensure research outputs meet professional publication standards and are designed for knowledge outreach and dissemination.
- Preparation of guidelines for research methodology for standardization of research work at CDRI.
- Represent CDRI in the international disaster and climate development forums, including at international conferences and meetings.
2. Project and Team Management (30%)
- Manage direct reports and task-based retainers.
- Manage tasks within the work plan.
- Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and yearly reporting to internal and external stakeholders of CDRI.
- Coordinate and support other specialists in Research and Knowledge Management as well as Advocacy and Partnerships teams for development and dissemination of research and knowledge products at national and international platforms through CDRI and other agencies
3. Liaison and Partnerships for Research (20%)
- Negotiate, build and grow a global network of research and knowledge organizations, innovation hubs, other similar initiatives, relevant government departments, industry, patent agencies, experts and other cross-functional teams; to act as a catalyst for capacity development
- Coordinate closely with government agencies, development actors, and other relevant stakeholders to identify potential research areas and activities in line with CDRI’s goals and objectives.
- Build partnerships within academia, research organizations and subject experts to bring in a well-rounded perspective to CDRI’s research outputs.
- Identify best global avenues and platforms in terms of journals, blogs, conference proceedings, international and national forums, etc., for feeding into the ongoing research and outcomes as achievements of CDRI.
4. Capacity Development and Technical Assistance (20%)
- Facilitate sharing and dissemination of research outputs at national, regional and international platforms.
- Strengthen CDRI’s capacity to conduct high-quality, actionable research by providing guidance on research design, data analysis, and effective writing.
- Provide mentoring and training for other staffs within CDRI.
- Support implementation of CDRI’s technical activities wherever needed.
Skills:
Essential
- Knowledge and experience across the full research lifecycle, including theoretical and applied research, multiple methods, research philosophy, and the process of translating research into usable knowledge.
- Field experience in disaster and climate-resilient infrastructure development, with proven ability to apply research to real-world projects.
- Advanced skills in designing and implementing complex real-world research methods, including field studies, surveys, action research, meta-analysis, and synthesis of existing knowledge.
- Experience writing high-quality research papers, policy briefs, case studies, presentations, blogs, and other knowledge products.
- Strong familiarity with the latest research trends, analytical tools, and innovations in the field.
- Track record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations at reputable (preferably international) forums.
- Demonstrated technical, strategic, and intellectual capability in resilient infrastructure.
- In-depth knowledge of key international frameworks, including the SDGs, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), and Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
- Experience working in an international organization.
- Demonstrated leadership, facilitation, and coordination skills, including the ability to manage technical teams.
- Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural, and multinational teams.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
- Strong analytical, strategic planning, and prioritization skills.
- Proven ability to synthesize inputs from multiple disciplines to solve specific problems.
- Strong track record of working independently, delivering timely high-quality outputs.
- Advanced computer proficiency.
Desirable:
- Actively involved as the peer reviewer of international journals and conference papers
- Experience of developing concept notes, research proposals and conducting research on disaster and climate resilience and good working knowledge of the same is an advantage.
- Proficient in GAMS, STATA, R and any other relevant research tools, is an asset.
- Strong capacities in project management and mentoring of early career researchers
- Experience in designing training materials relevant to disaster and climate-resilient infrastructure
- Excellent planning and organizational skills and ability to work under tight deadlines in a team setting.
Qualifications:
EducationalCriteria:
- Post-Graduate in disciplines related to environment/sustainable development, urban/infrastructure planning, and disaster management. A PhD in DRR/development/climate adaptation or infrastructure resilience is highly desirable.
- Candidates must have a project management certification.
ExperienceCriteria:
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience, with at least 4 years working internationally in development, particularly in knowledge management and research, and including experience within the international development system. Specific experience in knowledge management for disaster risk reduction is required. Familiarity with initiating and deploying knowledge management processes.
ReportingLine:
- The incumbent shall report to the Director(Research, KnowledgeManagement and Capacity Development).
LanguageProficiency:
- Fluency in English, both oral and written.
- Proficiency in International (UN) languages other than English will be an asset.
How to Apply:
If you have experience working in a similar capacity and want to make an active and lasting contributiontoaglobalinitiativespearheadedbyIndia,pleaseapplythroughtheonlineapplication form only on or before the last Date.
CDRI is committed to achieving workforce diversity in gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with strict confidence.
CDRI has ZERO Tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and gender / racial discrimination. Any selection, therefore, will be subject to satisfactory reference and background checks.
The Coalition for disaster Resilient Infrastructure is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
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