Social Science Expert at RIMES

Position Description: The Social Science Expert consulting service is to support TNSMART.
Contract Type: Full-Time Contract
Duty station: TNSDMA office at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Skills and Qualifications:

1) Knowledge
Doctorate or Master’s degree in Social science, Social work , or a closely related field.

2) Experience
Minimum of 5 years experience in related field.

3) Personal qualities
Excellent interpersonal skills; team-oriented work style; pleasant personality; strong desire to learn and undertake new challenges; a creative problem-solver; willingness to work hard; interest and experience in working in a multicultural environment.

Contract Duration
The contract will be for 1 year, subject to a 6-month probationary period, and annual performance review

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Social science expert will report to Head – Hydromet, with supervision of the [Project coordinator], and in coordination with others in the Team, and shall have the following specific tasks:

• Design and implement crowd-sourced information gathering mechanisms, utilizing digital platforms and community engagement strategies to collect real-time data on disaster risks, impacts, and community needs.
• Develop customised disaster management surveys tailored to specific hazards, contexts, and target populations, incorporating socio-economic, cultural, and gender perspectives.
• Study of the livelihood programmes and their influence in enhancing the coping capacity of community to manage disaster impact
  Conduct social vulnerability assessments to identify and prioritise vulnerable groups, areas, and assets at risk of disasters, using participatory methods and GIS tools to map social vulnerabilities.
• Design and implement risk communication strategies to disseminate timely and accurate information on disaster risks, preparedness measures, and response protocols to target audiences, utilising various communication channels and formats.
• Facilitate participatory CBDRM processes, working in close coordination with multi sectoral departments and local bodies leading to Disaster Resilient Villages, Towns, Cities and State.
• Evaluating the efficacy of Capacity Building Programmes carried out for Community First Responders, Aapda- Mitra Volunteers
  Improving NGO-GO-CSO Co-ordination and Institutionalising Inter-Agency Coordination.
• Improving the Coordination with UNICEF and UNDP
• Leveraging Outreach activities with CSR Support DRR for the vulnerable locations in the catchment of Private Institutions with the approval of authorities