Purpose and Objectives: ADPC is an autonomous international organization established for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes with a vision of safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1986 as a technical capacity building center, ADPC has grown and expanded its role to be for scientific, educational, developmental and humanitarian purposes. ADPC employs a wide range of professional expertise typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) in an effective manner. ADPC develops and implements cross-sectoral projects/programs on the strategic themes of risk governance, urban resilience, climate resilience, health risk management, preparedness for response and resilient recovery. Our strategic themes are complemented and underpinned by the cross-cutting themes of gender and diversity, regional and transboundary cooperation as well as poverty and livelihoods.

Through its work, ADPC supports the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the New Urban Agenda, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the agenda defined at the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016, and other relevant international frameworks.

For details, please refer to ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net/.

Department Introduction

The Risk Analytics and Climate Services Department is a multi-disciplinary team of experts committed to providing innovative, science-based solutions for actions to adapt to climate change and mitigate the impacts of disasters. The innovations include uses of geospatial technology, satellite data, numerical models, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence for assessing vulnerability and risk, generating climate data, developing early warning systems, forecasting possible climate impact, and informing anticipatory actions. These lead to risk-informed developments in the sectors such as agriculture, transportation, water resources, energy, communications and health.

The department also applies advanced geoinformatics and climate analytics to address water and food security issues by assessing water availability and water-use efficiency, groundwater monitoring, assessing drought risks, and optimizing agricultural productivity, hence ensuring sustainable water and food systems in vulnerable regions. The department promotes Nature-Based Solutions by leveraging ecosystem services such as wetland restoration, agroforestry, and green-gray infrastructure to reduce disaster risks and build climate resilience. Lastly, the department produces risk analytics and integrates them into urban plans and engineering designs of critical infrastructures, hence improving their resilience to disasters and climate change. With a commitment to science-based approach, the department envisions empowering stakeholders to reduce risks, adapt to climate change, and build more resilient communities and ecosystems.

Under the project SERVIR Southeast Asia (SERVIR SEA), ADPC utilizes advanced technology including satellite Earth Observation data, geospatial models and analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for developing practical and accessible solutions for Southeast Asia. The applications of the advanced technologies required extensive validations of the assumptions and results produced, assessments of the accuracy of the outputs, and transfers of the knowledge to the people in Southeast Asia, including ADPC staff. To address these specific demands, ADPC seeks part-time Senior Machine Learning Specialist to work closely with the ADPC team on the above-mentioned tasks.

Expected Outputs:

The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:

1. Validation and accuracy assessments of the outputs from SERVIR SEA

2. Peer-reviewed publications

Responsibilities and Tasks:

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Coordinate with ADPC and its collaborators to acquire input data and outputs, understand the methodologies used, and the assumption made.

• Independently conduct validation and accuracy assessments of the analytical outputs from the following SERVIR SEA’s components:

  • Environmental Drivers of Disease Dynamics in Thailand

  • Transboundary Water Pollution Monitoring and Early Warning System

  • Monitoring Mining Expansion and Environmental Impacts on River Systems in Myanmar

• Lead technically to develop peer-reviewed publications from the work components above.

Working Principles:

• The consultant will report to the Director of Risk Analytics and Climate Services.

• The consultant will work closely with other specialists of ADPC as informed by the supervisor.

• Regular coordination meetings (online or in-person) will be held as required.

• The role focuses on technical tasks and does not carry decision-making or managerial authority.

Qualifications:

The consultant is expected to possess the following qualifications.

• Ph.D. degree in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Hydro-informatics, Geography, Environmental Science, Data Science, or related fields.

• Extensive experience in data and tool development utilizing advanced technology specifically satellite Earth Observation data and AI.

• Experience in managing scientific projects that used advanced technology specifically satellite Earth Observation data and AI.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting scientific training.

• Demonstrated capability in publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers.

Duty Station: Home-based

Duration: The contract will be for a period of 14 months between July 2026 – September 2027.

Itinerary: There is no travel expected on this consultancy

Condition of payment: The consultancy shall be output-based, with payments made upon an approval of all the outputs.

Payments will be transferred to the consultant’s designated bank account. No additional compensation shall be provided unless prior written approval for supplementary expenses is obtained from the designated authority. The consultant shall bear any applicable bank charges. All payments are inclusive of income tax and VAT, for which the consultant is solely responsible for declaration and settlement in accordance with relevant tax regulations.

Selection Method: The consultant will be selected in accordance with ADPC’s recruitment process.

How to apply

Interested Candidates can submit the completed ADPC application form, (downloadable from www.adpc.net), resume, copy of degrees/certificate(s) together with a cover letter, to: procurement@adpc.net.

The email subject should clearly indicate the position being applied for, for example:

[Senior Scientist – model validation, Name of Candidate]

Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

ADPC encourages diversity in its workplace and supports an inclusive work environment.

Terms of Reference

Biographical Data Form