Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist

Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

Infrastructure Vice Presidency

Globally, one billion people live more than 2 kilometers from all-weather roads, 685 million people lack electricity, and nearly 4 billion people lack internet access. Access to basic infrastructure services is critical for creating economic opportunities for the poor. The Infrastructure (INF) Vice Presidency within the World Bank is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies. It consists of four global departments: Energy & Extractives (EEX); the Transport and Logistics Department (KIT); Urban, subnational finance, tourism & disaster management, and Global Infrastructure Finance Department (KIUDR). It oversees the Bank's work across energy and transport sectors, urban development, as well as efforts to promote energy transition, low-carbon transportation, livable cities, disaster risk resilience, land management, and quality infrastructure services through public-private partnerships. Infrastructure represents around $110 billion of the Bank’s portfolio. For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/infrastructure

The Global Unit for Disaster and Risk Management Solutions and Impact (KIUSD) supports low and middle-income countries to understand, manage, and reduce their risks from natural hazards and climate change. Within KIUSD, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) umbrella trust fund is a global partnership that helps low- and middle-income countries better understand and reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change. GFDRR has 14 Global Technical Programs, which provide grant financing, analytics, and technical assistance to the most vulnerable countries and communities where it will have the greatest positive impact. As a donor-funded program, GFDRR consults regularly with donors and actively strives to maintain and develop new partnerships for increased impact. For more information: https://www.gfdrr.org/en 

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The Senior Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Specialist will provide technical leadership for the implementation of disaster risk analytics and analytics inputs to broader disaster risk management investments, institutional strengthening, and resilience outcomes. The Senior DRM Specialist will contribute to or lead workstreams including: 1) Rapid post-disaster damage assessments; 2) Hazard and exposure modeling of the built environment; and 3) Quantification and analysis of disaster and climate risk.
 
The role will involve providing high‑quality technical inputs to analytical work, project preparation, and project implementation—such as reviewing and advising on technical studies, contributing to project design, participating in field missions and virtual engagements with client governments. The Senior DRM Specialist will work in close collaboration with Task Team Leaders and core staff of the Global Unit for Disaster and Risk Management Solutions and Impact (KIUSD), under the overall supervision of the KIUSD Practice Manager. Specific tasks include:

• Lead and coordinate key initiatives under the Disaster Risk Analytics program and knowledge service delivery to task teams in the regions, including but not limited to disaster risk assessments (hazard, exposure and vulnerability assessments), rapid post disaster assessments, disaster loss analytics and the development of disaster loss databases, ensuring the assessments are technically robust. 
• Lead and participate in developing methodologies, analytical tools and databases to better understand and track various aspects of the exposure of the built environment to natural hazards. In addition to developing historical, current and future analyses, the candidate will lead development of databases tools and scalable methods to quantify value of physical assets at the national and city level as well as for different sectors.
• Contribute to develop analytical disaster risk products related to KIUSD different thematic areas including technical collaborations with WBG institutions such as IFC and MIGA.
• Lead and participate in documenting the benefits of resilience to disaster and climate-related risks interventions and policies and the possible synergies and tradeoffs that resilience interventions entertain with other public objectives (poverty reduction, welfare). 
• Support regional task teams in translating analytical findings into actionable investments and policy recommendations for clients under World Bank Projects.
• Support capacity building and knowledge transfer efforts for clients and World Bank teams, in the implementation and procurement of risk assessments, and translating them into best practices of multi-hazard risk reduction and preparedness.
• Provide technical support and quality assurance to client engagements and World Bank operations, including technical reviews, project preparation and implementation support, capacity building, and results monitoring. Engage as necessary, to define with the task teams the technical requirements for activities in Disaster Risk Management Technical Assistance, and identify terms of reference, international experts or institutions that can support the activity. 
• Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships across the World Bank Group, development partners, donors, academia, and technical institutions to advance KIUSD's analytical and operational agenda. Represent KIUSD and the World Bank in corporate initiatives, technical forums, and external engagements as appropriate.
• Facilitate coordination of related programs within the Infrastructure Vice-Presidential Unit and the World Bank in general. 
• Carry out other tasks relevant to support the overall objective of the position. 

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree (or PhD) in civil engineering, particularly structural engineering or earthquake engineering, and at least 8 years professional experience. 
• Extensive experience with probabilistic modeling, stochastic simulations, and scenario-based analyses for disaster risk assessments, which involve identifying hazards, analyzing exposure and vulnerability, and the associated impacts.
• Strong analytical track record in the core areas of disaster risk management.
• Strong conceptual and research / analytical skills with the ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and actionable recommendations;
• In depth knowledge and strong programing background with demonstrated quantitative skills including fluency in Python, R and open-sourced GIS software packages;
• In-depth knowledge and expertise of good practice building standards and resilience housing;
• High degree of motivation, initiative, flexibility, reliability, and responsiveness to changing demands;
• Analytical: Consistently demonstrates the use of strong analytical skills to effectively interpret data and make informed decisions, leading to quality outcomes for clients and partners.
• Strong problem-solving skills and proven ability to apply these in carrying out research and operational tasks, presenting findings and recommendations, and contributing to resolution of sector and/or country issues.
• Experience working on World Bank or other international development operations is highly desirable.
• Excellent sense of initiative, drive for results and client orientation, coupled with strong planning and organizational skills.
• Experience collaborating with government agencies, international organizations, and community leaders.
• Fluency (written and spoken) in English is required. Fluency in an additional language such as French, Spanish or Portuguese is desirable but not required.
• Excellent inter-personal skills, diplomatic and proven ability to work in a team and intercultural environment; Proven communications skills, both in oral presentations and in written documents, including sections of papers, briefs, and independent reports.
• A proven ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments, adjust to changes in schedule and priorities, and juggle concurrent tasks effectively and efficiently.

In addition to the above selection criteria, the following competencies are expected of the successful candidate:

• Project Management - Demonstrates in depth knowledge and understanding of the project management concepts, as they relate to the implementation of complex, multi-functional projects in varied geographical and economic conditions  
• Analytical and Technical Skills, Operational Strategy Development & Advice - Recognized by peers and/or managers for ability to identify and proactively solve operational issues and problems.  
• Team Leadership - Leads teams to achieve challenging outcomes, providing a role model and enhancing the team-leadership skills of team members. 
• Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Leads in the sharing of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across units and with clients and partners, articulating ideas verbally and in writing in a clear and compelling way across audiences of varied levels. 
• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Gathers inputs, assesses risk, considers impact and articulates benefits of decisions for internal and external

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.