Institute of Development Research and Corresponding Capabilities

(IDRAC)
Job Description
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Expert/Researcher Required
Institute of Development Research and Corresponding Capabilities
(IDRAC)
IDRAC is an emerging yet highly potential and well recognized research cum training
institute and always appreciates the services of qualified, knowledgeable and
competent professionals (men and women). Presently, IDRAC wants to hire the
services of a highly competent disaster risk reduction (DRR), community based disaster
risk reduction (CBDRM), disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change adaption
(CCA) expert/researcher. The DRR expert will be responsible to assist the Director
Research and Capacity Development (IDRAC) in research and training activities with
different development organizations (NGOs/INGOs in particular). He/she is supposed to
write down exclusively and/or facilitate the Director in collecting and analyzing
quantitative and qualitative data, writing down research reports and proposals in highly
sophisticated and impressive language. Where appropriate, s/he is also expected to
advise or suggest innovative ideas for DRR research proposals, campaign designing,
advocacy and training measures. The incumbent will be working in close coordination
with the Director and the Research Coordinator (IDRAC) for the completion of the
research and training tasks in hand.
The DRR Expert/Researcher must have a sound knowledge of DRR, CBDRM,
CCDRM and CCA related concepts and theories along with a fair understanding of the
disaster vulnerable areas of Sindh, South Punjab and KPK. Adequate skills for writing
research proposal, research design, research methodologies and implementation with
an ability to effectively analyze and interpret primary or secondary data are the key
credential desired. Knowledge of SPSS will be considered an asset however it is not a
must. Better presentation skills with a reasonable know how of natural and manmade
disasters context in Pakistan, shall be appreciated. In addition the capability to make

decisions and resolve problems; self-motivation and the drive to work carefully without
scrupulous supervision is expected and admired.
The broader tasks and responsibilities, s/he is supposed to handle are as under:
Collect, organize and analyze data as per requirement of the research or a
training activity;
Preferably be able to Translate certain documents from English to Urdu, if and
when required, but it is not an essential competency;
Design appropriate research methodologies, as and if required;
Organize and supervise, if and when desired by the Lead Researcher and/or the
Head of IDRAC;
Select, train and supervise research assistants if and when required according to
the project specifications;
Document, analyze, tabulate research data, once it is collected or sent or
punched by the research assistants;
Make presentation to the donor organizations before or after the research work is
completed;
Surf the web and library resources to collect and organize the relevant and
secondary data for a particular research initiatives;
Responsibly and carefully handle any other relevant tasks as assigned by the
head of IDRAC.
Functional Competencies Required:
Strong background, knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles
and approaches to DRR and its mainstreaming into regional and national
development programmes;
Ability to organize, plan and implement research and training assignments, meet
competing demands and be able to deliver under pressure of frequent and tight
deadlines;
Effective project/research/survey/assessment and management skills and ability
to lead a project/research/survey to completion.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain effective
partnerships & working relations with people in a multi-cultural environment with
respect for diversity;
Academic Requirements:
Advanced university degree in development studies, disaster management,
economics, anthropology, geography, natural resources management, public
policy or related disciplines;

 At least 5 years experience of progressively responsible professional

positions in research and advocacy around DRR, proposal or report writing,
programme formulation and/or related fields.
How to apply:
IDRAC is an equal opportunity employer (men, women and persons belonging to
multiple religious/ethnic minorities or with disability) are preferred fulfill other basic
minimum requirements. Competent individuals are requested to send their CVs along
with Motivation Letter at the following email: (muhammadsajjad@idrac.org.pk) till
November 3rd, 2014. Only short listed candidates shall be contacted.