Programme Associate - Urban Flood Risk Management

Details

Mission and objectives

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

Context

UNDP is currently working in various areas concerning sustainable development, from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment, and resilience. The Action for Climate Change and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation; disaster management and resilience; and access to clean and efficient energy. Extensive and recurring waterlogging and floods disrupts life in Indian cities almost every monsoon. At times sudden but high-intensity cloud bursts generate substantial runoff from the cities’ concrete surfaces that inundates in low-lying areas. Combating sudden or high-intensity occurrences of, till date cities have relied on traditional approaches to flood management. The increasing trend of urban flooding is a universal phenomenon and poses a great challenge to urban planners the world over. Problems associated with urban floods range from relatively localized incidents to major incidents, resulting in cities being inundated for hours to several days. Therefore, the impact can also be widespread, including temporary relocation of people, damage to civic amenities, deterioration of water quality, and risk of epidemics. In India, UNDP is supporting the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and city administrations in managing the recurring hazard of urban floods. The XV Finance Commission has earmarked allocations to the major metropolitan cities of India to address the issue of urban floods. UNDP intends to support a few cities in India in strengthening their urban flood management plan. In this backdrop, UNDP seeks to hire UN Volunteer Project Associate to provide backstopping support for the various activities envisaged under this component in the partner cities.

Task description

The National UN Volunteer Specialist, Project Associate will provide overall technical advice to UNDP for the implementation and development of an urban flood risk management programme. The specific activities will include but are not limited to: • Interaction with the partner state/city administration to understand the current practice of urban flood management. • Map the various programmes, schemes, projects and interventions in the partner cities. • Conceptualization and organization of stakeholder consultations and technical workshops • Documenting the requirements of the city administrations and proposing technical interventions for UNDP’s consideration • The appointee will also have to support the state department in organising and executing various orientation and training programs for multiple target groups • The individual will collect the data available for flood risk mapping, such as socio-economic profile, including per capita income, poverty data, demographic trends, growth of primary, secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy, overview of existing infrastructure assets, critical infrastructure and their locations, types and access to services to the populations, damage reports and functions, etc. • Assessment of data needs, in particular data needed for the evaluation of flood hazards and flood risks. • Analysis of data gaps, including data quantity and quality related to requirements for the completion and application of hydrological and hydraulic models for studying both riverine and urban flood hazards and flood risk assessment. • Based on the data gaps identified, provide recommendations for additional geographical surveys and hydro-meteorological monitoring serving flood hazard assessment for the study, in consultation with the municipal authorities and the UNDP task team. • Support the city administration in developing the flood risk mitigation strategy • Assist in creation of modules for various DRR related orientation and training • Assist the State Government in preparation of various proposals, reports, DPRs and carry out any other activities for the harnessing of the funds for Disaster Management under the 15th Finance Commission under the supervision of the State Coordinator for the UNDP program. • Support the Programme Officer in providing any other support related to the project as and when required.