Architect (Structural Safety Design and Disaster Risk Reduction)

Volunteering

Overview

Conduct research and develop guidelines for structural safety in public infrastructure

You have:

• Experience in building design, structural design, or related domain.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
• Strong documentation and research skills.

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

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.

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.

• 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

in building design or structural design or related domain • Strong analytical and report-writing skills. • Documentation and Research skills

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

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org