Lead Specialist – Capacity Development

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

About CDRI

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (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.

Vision

CDRI seeks to rapidly expand the development and retrofit of resilient infrastructure to respond to the SDG of expanding universal access to basic services, enabling prosperity and decent work.

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 SDFRR, 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 2024, CDRI stands as a partnership of 40 national governments and seven international 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.

Role and Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the capacity development strategy, trainings and capacity building programmes in CDRI.
• Support in building partnerships with various training institutions, academia and networks across the member countries for advancing the capacity development efforts of CDRI.
• Provide technical support in the development of various training modules, e- learning courses, learning webinars and masterclasses.
• Identify and draw on relevant experience, innovations and tools from various countries on capacity development for DRI.
• Identify, develop and draw on various tools, and innovative methods for designing and implementing capacity building programmes at the global, regional and national level.
• Support in the development of a roster of training and capacity building experts.
• Develop a knowledge bank on DRI to support the capacity building programmes including good practices and identity opportunities of adapting and transferring the knowledge in various
• Coordinate closely with the member countries, international organizations and networks, infrastructure professionals and experts, private sector, financing institutions and all other relevant stakeholders.

Candidate Profile

Competencies

Essential

• Demonstrated strategic, technical, and intellectual skills in the substantive area
• Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, analytical and strategic planning skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities
• Familiarity with international frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
• Past track record/Ability to work independently, deliver timely and quality products; and
• Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages like Microsoft Office

Desirable

• Experience of working in international organizations.
• Proven experience of minimum 10 years relevant to the role, especially experience in the capacity development, roster management and deployments.
• Track record of disaster related capacity development and deployment of experts.
• Experience of implementing similar projects in developing countries and good understanding of capacity building and roster development strategies worldwide, would be an advantage.
• Experience working in an international organization and with a diverse number of partners comprising Governments, the UN, multi-lateral systems, industry, the financial institutions, knowledge and research institutions in multi country locations.

Key Competencies

1. Technical and Analytical Skill
   1. Meticulous
   2. Timeliness
   3. Analytical & Problem Solving
2. Delivering Results
   1. Dependability
   2. Managing people & process
   3. Innovation & Resourcefulness
3. Engaging & Partnering (Interpersonal/Teamwork)
   1. Stakeholder Management
   2. Working Collaboratively
   3. Appreciate and encourage different culture context
4. Leadership
   1. Ability to see Big Picture
   2. Decision Making
   3. Inspires motivates & empowers others
   4. Team Management
5. Communication
   1. Willingness to listen and express dissenting views.
   2. Ability to clearly convey ideas and information.

Qualifications

Post-Graduate qualification in urban planning, sustainable development, social work, disaster management, engineering, architecture or relevant related fields.

Experience

Minimum 10 years international experience in capacity development and training. Specific experience in disaster risk reduction will be given additional weightage.

Candidates will have to demonstrate considerable experience in at least 5 countries across two UN geographic regions (from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Northern America, and Oceania) to meet the criteria for international staff.

Location

This position will be based at the CDRI Secretariat in New Delhi, India, as a full-time staff with a Fixed Term Contract of three (3) years, renewable for an additional three (3) years.

Reporting Line

The incumbent shall report to the Director – Research, Knowledge Management, and Capacity Development.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English, both oral and written.
• Proficiency in International (UN) languages other than English is desirable.