Community Engagement Specialist

1. POSITION VACANT: Community Engagement Specialist, SAMS, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

2. ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Our Client, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UNs development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development - from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment and resilience. 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 support the Government of Indias national development vision and priorities and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

For more information about UNDP India, please visit

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

Uttar Pradesh, Indias most populous state, faces a wide spectrum of disaster risks owing to its diverse geography, high population density, rapid urbanization, and climatic vulnerabilities. Recurrent floods, seasonal droughts, heatwaves, earthquakes, industrial accidents, and urban disasters significantly disrupt lives, infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods. While the Government of Uttar Pradesh has taken commendable steps to strengthen disaster preparedness, existing institutional capacities and planning frameworks require substantial support to keep pace with the growing risks exacerbated by climate change.

Recognizing these challenges, the Relief Commissioners Office and the UPSDMA are partnering with UNDP to build a comprehensive, resilient, and forward-looking disaster risk management system. The proposal is aligned with the recommendations of the XV Finance Commission, which advocates for proactive disaster mitigation, preparedness, and risk-informed development planning.

UNDPs technical assistance will support a multi-pronged approach, including and not limited to the development of District and Departmental Disaster Management Plans, Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (HRVAs), Urban Disaster Management Plans (UDMPs), and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). A dedicated team of experts will be deployed at the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (UPSDMA) office to provide strategic direction and technical coordination.

In this context, UNDP is looking to onboard a Community Engagement Specialist on a third-party contract for providing overall strategic direction, coordination, and stakeholder engagement for the effective implementation of the disaster risk mitigation initiative. The incumbent will coordinate a team of experts, facilitate inter-departmental collaboration, and deliver high-quality outputs, including district and departmental disaster management plans, hazard risk vulnerability assessments and MIS integration with state partner.

3. JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK (SOW):

Reporting to the Programme Specialist (Resilience), the Community Engagement Specialist will play a critical role in ensuring the active participation of local communities in disaster risk reduction (DRR), preparedness, response, and recovery initiatives. This position will focus on mobilizing communities, integrating local knowledge, and enhancing grassroots resilience and contribute to developing appropriate policies and guidelines of the UPSDMA through inclusive and participatory approaches.

The specialist will work closely with government agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations (CBOs), and vulnerable groups to build awareness, strengthen social cohesion, and promote localized disaster risk mitigation strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
(A)Community Mobilization & Participation:

(1) Develop and implement community engagement strategies to enhance disaster preparedness and response;

(2) Strengthen local disaster management committees, self-help groups (SHGs), and community task forces;

(3) Facilitate participatory risk assessments (PRAs) and community mapping exercises to identify vulnerabilities and capacities;

(4) Organize awareness campaigns, outreach programs, and training sessions tailored for local communities.

(B) Integration of Local Knowledge & Traditional Practices:

(1) Document and promote traditional community based disaster risk reduction practices and indigenous knowledge;

(2) Facilitate knowledge exchange sessions between local communities and technical experts;

(3) Ensure that community perspectives are integrated into Disaster Management Plans (DMPs); Early Warning Systems (EWS), and Preparedness Strategies.

(C) Strengthening Inclusive & Resilient Communities:

(1)Ensure the active participation of marginalized groups, including women, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities, in disaster management initiatives;

(2) Promote gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches to community resilience;

(3) Develop strategies to enhance public-private-community partnerships in DRR.

(D) Capacity Building & Behavioural Change Communication (BCC):

(1) Design and implement capacity-building programs for community volunteers, school children, and local governance bodies;

(2) Support in developing IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials to promote disaster awareness and risk reduction;

(3) Contribute in conducting behavioural change communication (BCC) campaigns for improved disaster preparedness at the community level.

(E) Monitoring & Reporting on Community Engagement Efforts:

(1) Develop community engagement indicators and monitoring frameworks to track participation and impact;

(2) Document case studies, success stories, and best practices on community-driven DRR initiatives;

(3) Prepare periodic progress reports and feedback mechanisms to ensure adaptive learning.

4.QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualification:

Masters degree in Social work, Community Development, Disaster Management, Sociology, or a related field.

Experience:
(1) Minimum 5 years of experience in community mobilization, grassroots disaster preparedness, or social development programs;

(2) Prior experience with donor-funded projects, UN agencies, or development sector projects will be an asset;

(3) Additional experience in procurement of goods and services is desirable.

Skills and Competencies:
(1) Strong expertise in participatory approaches, social inclusion, and community-driven development;

(2) Experience in working with local governance structures, CBOs, and NGOs. o Familiarity with early warning systems (EWS), climate adaptation, and risk reduction frameworks;

(3) Excellent facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills to engage diverse stakeholders;

(4) Ability to develop community-centric training materials, IEC resources, and awareness programs;

(5) Proficiency in local languages and culturally sensitive approaches.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Hindi is essential.

Competencies:

Technical Competencies:

(1) Knowledge of community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) tools and methodologies such as Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Community-Based Vulnerability Assessment, and Risk Mapping;

(2) Experience designing and implementing inclusive early warning dissemination systems that reach last-mile populations;

(3) Familiarity with climate-resilient livelihood approaches and post-disaster needs assessments at the community level;

(4) Understanding of digital engagement tools (e.g., mobile-based surveys, IVR systems, community radio) for outreach and feedback;

(5) Ability to integrate community insights into policy recommendations and district/state disaster management planning;

(6) Exposure to national guidelines like NDMP, Sendai Framework localization, and community resilience scorecards or indices.

Core Competencies:

(1) Delivers high-quality and timely outputs aligned with project objectives;

(2) Applies critical thinking and introduces innovative approaches to problem-solving;

(3) Adapts effectively to changing priorities and dynamic field conditions;

(4) Demonstrates persistence and accountability in achieving results;

(5) Builds strong partnerships and fosters collaboration with diverse stakeholders;

(6) Promotes inclusive, gender-responsive, and socially equitable planning approaches;

(7) Maintains regular, transparent communication with supervisors, UNDP office, government officials, and project partners;

(8) Proficient in using MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and digital communication tools for reporting, documentation, and coordination.

5. CONSULTANCY FEE:

The monthly consultancy fee for the position is budgeted at INR 75,000/-. The professional fee will be subject to withholding taxes, as applicable.

6. NATURE OF ENGAGEMENT:

The selected candidate shall be engaged as a Consultant on the rolls of SAMS, a third-party payrolling agency, for a full-time consultancy engagement for a period of one year. It is explicitly clarified that this consultancy engagement does not constitute a promise or guarantee of future employment, with SAMS, or our client, or any other organization associated with the project.

7. LOCATION: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

8. REFERENCE: CES-SAMS