About the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center:

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (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 diversified its expertise across social and physical sciences, envisioning safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction. Being an autonomous international organization governed by the Board of Trustees. It supports sustainable solutions for disaster risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas, with a wide range of professional expertise from atmospheric scientists to social scientists with experiences from all levels of engagement typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) effectively.

ADPC’s Strategy 2030 guides the organization in providing comprehensive risk reduction support to countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific with various programs being implemented under 15 strategic themes by three departments, namely the Preparedness and Climate Actions, Risk Analytics and Climate Services, and Risk Governance and Financing. In addition to these, ADPC also works on three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Diversity, Innovation, and Regional and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees. These activities are supported by proactive individual departments of Finance, Human Resources and Administration. ADPC recognizes the importance of examining the linkages between disaster risk management, poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainability, rights-based approaches, climate change, and regional cooperation. For details, please refer to the ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net.

Department Introduction

The Preparedness and Climate Actions (PCA) Department of ADPC focuses on enhancing the preparedness and response management capacities of governments, response organizations, volunteers, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, communities, and other traditional and non-traditional actors of the Disaster Risk Management Ecosystem. It also strives to strengthen the capacity of institutions and at-risk communities for faster and more efficient disaster recovery. The department works with the above-stated actors to ensure that the regional, national, sub-national, and local disaster preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks and implementation plans are in place well before disaster strikes.

Statement Of Intent

The Institutional Strengthening through Preparedness and Inclusive Response in India (INSPIRE) Program- a collaborative initiative by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and state institutions in Odisha, Gujarat, and Kerala. The program aims to enhance institutional systems for disaster preparedness and climate action at national and state levels, while contributing to regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal.

Through INSPIRE, ADPC works closely with national and state-level stakeholders to promote risk-informed planning, strengthen local capacities, and support sustainable disaster management practices. The program focuses on advancing institutional leadership and technical capacities within strategic government institutions, enabling them to play a central role in managing disasters and responding to climate shocks. It also fosters the development of innovative, data-driven solutions and promotes cross-learning through structured regional collaboration.

In line with the MoU between ADPC and Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) signed on 19 March 2025, INSPIRE in Odisha, supports the operationalization of the State Institute for Disaster Management (SIDM) as a competency centre to promote modern training systems, risk-informed planning, and local-level disaster preparedness, especially through IT-enabled tools for grassroots actors.

The State Consultant in Odisha, under the overall guidance of the Program Lead and in close coordination with the State Institute for Disaster Management (SIDM) and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), will be responsible for the effective coordination, implementation, and monitoring of program activities under the INSPIRE India initiative in Odisha. The Consultant will play a key role in supporting the transformation of SIDM into a future-ready competency center for disaster risk management through the development of a strategic institutional plan, capacity-building initiatives, and the deployment of IT-enabled tools tailored for local stakeholders.

The Consultant will ensure alignment of state-level interventions with the broader INSPIRE program objectives and work plan. This includes facilitating technical planning, organizing consultations and training, supporting the development and rollout of localized digital solutions, and strengthening partnerships with key state actors. S/he will also liaise with ADPC’s Preparedness and Climate Actions (PCA) Department and other project teams at the ADPC Headquarters, ensuring integration with related national-level activities and effective collaboration with consultants and program partners.

In addition, the Consultant will be responsible for meticulous planning, timely tracking of deliverables, and ensuring regular internal and external communications to monitor progress and report on implementation status. The position requires strong coordination, documentation, and stakeholder engagement skills to advance Odisha’s leadership in disaster preparedness and climate resilience through the INSPIRE India program.

Expected Outputs:

Under the overall guidance of the Program Lead and in close coordination with the SIDM, OSDMA, and the INSPIRE India program team, the State Consultant in Odisha will be responsible for delivering the following outputs:

• Customized training modules developed and piloted in Odisha on (i) DRM for Executive Leadership, (ii) DRR in PPP Infrastructure Projects. Additional modules on emerging and state-relevant themes to be scoped and rolled out as needed.

• A digital tool (or set of tools) developed and field-tested in coordination with SIDM/OSDMA to support DRR at the local level, building on platforms such as SATARK, and designed for Panchayat leaders, SHG women, and other frontline actors.

• A detailed process document capturing implementation progress, stakeholder coordination, and lessons learned during the first year of program rollout in Odisha.

• Thematic learning briefs or case studies developed to highlight innovations, challenges, or successful practices in Odisha under INSPIRE. Contributions to regional and cross-state knowledge-sharing sessions and reports.

• Regular (monthly) progress reports submitted to ADPC, capturing both technical and financial updates against the approved work plan.

• Contribution to monitoring and evaluation frameworks through data collection tools, documentation of targets achieved, and draft M&E summaries.

• Organize and Document stakeholder workshops or learning events. Briefs and meeting notes from multi-stakeholder consultations and technical working sessions submitted as part of program documentation.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

Technical Implementation and Coordination

• Lead planning and implementation of the assigned program.

• Coordinate, organise and facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations to ensure inclusive and sector-relevant inputs into SIDM’s institutional roadmap.

• Design, support, and pilot training modules on: (i) Disaster Risk Management (DRM) for Executive Leadership, (ii) Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects, and (iii) Other emerging themes relevant to Odisha not covered by existing programs.

• Support development and localization of IT-enabled tools (e.g., for Panchayat leaders, SHG women) leveraging existing platforms such as SATARK to promote risk-informed local action.

• Ensure SIDM’s alignment with national initiatives including the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Guidelines and National Recovery Resource Centre (NRRC).

Program Management and Monitoring

• Ensure timely implementation of program activities in Odisha as per approved work plan and budget.

• Facilitate coordination and documentation between SIDM, OSDMA, and ADPC technical teams.

• Monitor progress against agreed deliverables and provide regular technical and financial reports.

• Organize and support state-level consultations, training workshops, and learning events.

• Liaise with consultants, trainers, and other technical experts engaged in the state for program activities.

Knowledge Management and Reporting

• Capture and document lessons, challenges, and success stories from Odisha to feed into the national and regional knowledge-sharing platform of INSPIRE.

• Contribute to development of knowledge products including case studies, technical briefs, and process documents highlighting Odisha’s experiences.

• Participate in cross-state learning activities and regional events to share Odisha’s practices under the program.

• Responsible for monitoring the performance targets against the agreed M&E plans and work plans and report the progress on time.

• Draft and edit of technical reports, special reports, and other related program documents.

This job description covers the general responsibilities and representative tasks of this position. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to program priorities and needs.

Working Principles:

In performing the duties and responsibilities indicated above, the State Consultant in Odisha: INSPIRE India will be supervised by the assigned Program Lead, Preparedness and Climate Actions Department of ADPC and work closely with other Project/Program Managers and Project/Program Coordinators of the Department.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications and Specifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Disaster Management, Emergency Management, Engineering, architecture, planning, Social Science, Development Studies, Business Administration, or related disciplines with substantial experience in the Asia-Pacific region.

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in DRR, institutional strengthening, or capacity development for DM in India.

• Proven track record of working with state governments or training institutions in India, especially in Odisha.

• Capacity and demonstrated ability to process, analyze, and synthesize complex and technical information into user-friendly formats and products.

• Familiarity and experience of working with international donor-funded (e.g. BMGF, USAID, UN, WB, etc.) programs

• Demonstrated gender sensitivity and ability to integrate gender considerations into program design and delivery.

• Proven experience in working with multiple donors, familiarity with donor requirements, donor reporting, and progress reports submission

• Excellent communication, coordination, and report writing skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Sound understanding of Odisha’s disaster profile, institutions, and governance systems.

• Familiarity with IT-based innovations, good practices and workable solutions for DRM and community-based disaster preparedness.

• Working knowledge of Odia.

• Self-motivated, proactive, and takes initiative.

• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize work and time independently.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, team-oriented work style, and experience in working in a multicultural environment.

• Strong desire to learn, undertake new challenges, must be a creative problem-solver and must have self-confidence, willingness to work hard, good sense of humor but with seriousness about the quality and excellence of work.

Duty Station: Bhubaneswar, Odisha with possible travel to districts and partner institutions as required.

Contract Duration:September 2025 – August 2027

Itinerary:

During official missions outside the duty station, the Consultant will be entitled to local/international travel, daily subsistence allowance, accommodation, and other related travel costs as per ADPC financial policy.

Condition of Payment:

The consultant will be paid on a monthly basis upon submission of a timesheet detailing the inputs provided to the project. Each timesheet must align with the agreed tasks and deliverables and will be subject to approval by the assigned Program Lead and the Director, PCA. All applicable taxes, duties, and government-imposed charges arising from this contract shall be the sole responsibility of the consultant.

How to apply

How to Apply:

Interested candidates can submit the completed ADPC application form (downloadable from www.adpc.net), resume, and 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: [NDCNP - Climate Finance Specialist, Name of Candidate].

Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

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