Job Description

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. UNDPs 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.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. UNDPs 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.UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all. With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of Indias national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet. UNDP Indias current Country Programme, 2018-2022, is in its final year of implementation.Our new Country Programme (2023-2027), which comes into effect in 2023, builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:

• Strong, accountable, and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.Context:Ensuring the safety and resilience of public infrastructure against natural hazards such as floods and earthquakes is a priority for sustainable development. Structural safety designs and assessment practices need to integrate multi-hazard considerations to minimize risk and protect communities. UNDP aims to compile best practices from global and regional sources to develop a comprehensive repository of knowledge on hazard-resilient public infrastructure. Furthermore, the integration of risk-informed design principles, development of hazard-specific building codes, and community-based approaches are essential to strengthen the safety of existing and new infrastructure. We also plan to conduct energy audits and develop best practices around the reduction of energy consumption.The primary objective of this assignment is to support desk research and technical inputs on structural safety design and assessment of public infrastructure. The focus will be on collecting and analyzing best practices, developing guidelines, and recommending strategies for ensuring structural safety and resilience against hazards such as floods and earthquakes. The Architect will also contribute to community-based disaster risk reduction and the formulation of hazard-specific building codes along with energy audits.Task description:The Architect (Structural Safety Design and Disaster Risk Reduction) will work under the guidance and supervision of Programme Officer (Resilience), UNDP and will be responsible for the following tasks:1. Conduct extensive desk research on global and regional best practices in structural safety design and assessment of public infrastructure, including innovative approaches for hazard resilience.2. Identify and compile relevant guidelines, codes, and standards for flood and earthquake safety of public buildings (e.g., schools, hospitals, community centers).3. Risk-Informed Design and Planning:
o Develop recommendations for incorporating multi-hazard risk considerations into design and planning processes.
o Identify critical design modifications to minimize exposure and vulnerability in both new and existing public infrastructure.
o Provide insights into adaptive designs for infrastructure that can respond to changing risk scenarios, such as rising water levels or increased seismic activity.4. Development of Hazard-Specific Building Codes and Guidelines:
o Contribute to the formulation and review of hazard-specific building codes and safety standards for public infrastructure.
o Develop simplified guidelines and toolkits for local builders, masons, and communities to promote safe construction practices.
o Advocate for the integration of these guidelines into national and local regulatory frameworks.5. Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR):
o Engage with communities to document their traditional knowledge and practices in disaster-resilient construction.
o Design safe community shelters, evacuation centers, and community facilities that are culturally appropriate and hazard-resilient.
o Develop micro-zoning plans in collaboration with communities to identify safe and unsafe areas for construction.6. Case Study Documentation: Document case studies showcasing successful implementation of multi-hazard safety design and assessment in public infrastructure.7. Review of Existing Structures: Provide insights into common structural vulnerabilities in existing public infrastructure from a hazard perspective and recommend practical retrofitting measures.8. Energy efficient building: Conduct energy audits and develop strategy around best practices on energy reduction.9. Development of a Best Practices Repository: Create a structured repository of best practices with annotated references and recommendations for design modifications, assessment tools, and compliance monitoring.10. Recommendations: Suggest practical measures for integrating hazard resilience into structural safety planning, design, and policy development.Requirements:in building design or structural design or related domain

• Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
• Documentation and Research skills

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Building Trust
• Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Creativity
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Working in Teams

Area(s) of expertise:

• Architecture and settlements

Required education level:Bachelor degree or equivalentOther information: The assignment will be based in New Delhi. New Delhi is the capital city of India, experiences a diverse climate and has distinct living conditions influenced by its weather, infrastructure, and culture. A melting pot of cultures, languages, and cuisines, reflecting the diverse nature of India. Overall, living in Delhi offers a mix of modern urban life with deep-rooted traditions and challenges typical of a large, bustling metropolis.As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in New Delhi. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.For information specific to your assignment please see below:

• Monthly Voluntary Living Allowance (VLA): INR 46,676.91
• Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400 (equivalent in INR)
• Relocation costs: $200 at beginning and end of assignment if duty station is outside of commuting distance (as determined by UNV)
• Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment): INR 4862.22 for each month served, paid on completion of contract
• Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts

• Annual leave: 2.5 days per month
• Learning: Access to UNV's learning and career development resources

United Nations