Program Manager-Disaster & Climate Resilience

Selco Foundation; India; On-site; INR 2,800,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Selco Foundation seeks a Program Manager - Disaster Climate Resilience to lead interventions that build long-term resilience for disaster-prone communities through a decentralized energy and livelihood lens. The role combines field implementation with strategic ecosystem orchestration across pre-, during-, and post-disaster phases.

The candidate will bring 6–7 years of experience and oversee design, deployment, and management of multi‑geography programs in Northeast India, Maharashtra,

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Disaster Management, Environmental Science, Sustainable Development, Rural Management, Public Policy, Social Work, or a related discipline.
• 6 to 7 years of relevant professional experience managing disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate adaptation, or livelihood-focused development programs.
• Demonstrated experience in field implementation and stakeholder orchestration across diverse Indian geographies (Northeast, Maharashtra, Karnataka, or Odisha) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Program Design Livelihood Resilience: Conceptualize and implement decentralized renewable energy (DRE)-led disaster resilience strategies targeting vulnerable livelihood sectors across priority geographies (Northeast India, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha).
• Apply a holistic lens across Pre, During, and Post-disaster phases to strengthen community resilience and safeguard assets.
• Identify and scale sustainable technologies, resilient built-environment designs, and financial models for flood, cyclone, and drought regions.
• On-Ground Implementation Field Operations: Oversee end-to-end execution of disaster mitigation and livelihood recovery projects in deep-rural and vulnerable geographies.
• Coordinate with regional field teams, local partner organizations, and community groups for timely rollout of resilient infrastructure and energy systems.
• Lead disaster preparedness audits and risk assessments for local infrastructure and community assets.
• Stakeholder Orchestration: Act as an orchestrator across government departments, civil society, local enterprises, financial institutions, and relief agencies to integrate energy access and livelihoods into disaster management.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder coalitions to mobilize resources and support regional capacity building.
• Project Management, Tracking & Reporting: Maintain project timelines, trackers, and budget allocations; produce monthly progress reports and field documentation.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor quality, capture insights, and resolve bottlenecks.

Skills

Program management

Disaster livelihood

Field leadership

Cross-sector collaboration

Written analysis

Digital tools

Travel willingness

Education

Master's or Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

The Program Manager - Disaster Climate Resilience will lead SELCO Foundation s interventions aimed at building long-term resilience for disaster-prone communities through a decentralized energy and livelihood lens. Disasters-ranging from rapid-onset events like floods and cyclones to slow-onset crises like droughts-disproportionately impact climate-vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure.

This is a high-ownership, hybrid role involving both direct field implementation and strategic ecosystem orchestration. The candidate will possess 6 to 7 years of professional experience and will be responsible for designing, deploying, and managing interventions across all three phases of disaster management: Pre-disaster (risk mitigation, preparedness, resilient infrastructure planning), During disaster (emergency energy/livelihood relief access), and Post-disaster (sustainable livelihood recovery, rehabilitation, and long-term climate adaptation).

Responsibilities

• 1. Strategic Program Design Livelihood Resilience: Conceptualize and implement decentralized renewable energy (DRE)-led disaster resilience strategies targeting vulnerable livelihood sectors (agriculture, micro-enterprises, healthcare, and community infrastructure) across priority geographies like Northeast India, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Odisha.
• Apply a holistic lens across Pre, During, and Post-disaster phases to strengthen community resilience, safeguard assets, and minimize economic disruption caused by natural and human-induced hazards.
• Identify and scale sustainable technologies, resilient built-environment designs, and financial models tailored to flood, cyclone, and drought-affected regions.
• 2. On-Ground Implementation Field Operations: Oversee end-to-end execution of disaster mitigation and livelihood recovery projects in deep-rural and vulnerable geographies.
• Coordinate with regional field teams, local partner organizations, and community groups to ensure timely rollout of resilient infrastructure, energy systems, and livelihood interventions.
• Lead disaster preparedness audits and risk assessments for local physical infrastructure and community assets in targeted districts.
• 3. Stakeholder Orchestration Ecosystem Building: Act as an orchestrator across multiple actors-government departments (SDMAs/DDMAs), civil society organizations, local enterprises, financial institutions, and humanitarian relief agencies-to integrate energy access and sustainable livelihoods into broader disaster management frameworks.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder coalitions to mobilize resources, streamline post-disaster livelihood restoration, and build regional capacity.
• 4. Project Management, Tracking Reporting: Maintain comprehensive project timelines, deliverable trackers, and budget allocations for all disaster-related grants and initiatives.
• Prepare high-quality, structured monthly progress reports, field documentation, and impact assessments for internal leadership, donors, and institutional partners.
• Conduct regular field visits to project sites to monitor implementation quality, capture field insights, and resolve operational bottlenecks.

Key Deliverables

• Disaster Resilience Framework: A standardized operational framework for pre-, during-, and post-disaster DRE livelihood interventions.
• Regional Execution Roadmap: Detailed work plans and resource allocation matrices for implementation across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, and the Northeast.
• Stakeholder Partner Network: Active partnerships mapped and operationalized with district disaster management authorities (DDMAs) and regional NGOs.
• Project Tracking Budget Reports: Monthly deliverable and expenditure trackers submitted to SELCO Foundation HQ.
• Impact Field Documentation: High-quality case studies, field photographs, and technical progress reports documenting community resilience and infrastructure outcomes.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Disaster Management, Environmental Science, Sustainable Development, Rural Management, Public Policy, Social Work, or a related discipline.
• 6 to 7 years of relevant professional experience managing disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate adaptation, or livelihood-focused development programs.
• Demonstrated experience in field implementation and stakeholder orchestration across diverse Indian geographies (experience in Northeast, Maharashtra, Karnataka, or Odisha is highly desirable).

Desired Skills

• Strong Program Management: Prove track record in orchestrating multi-region projects, budget tracking, and deliverable management under changing field conditions.
• Disaster Livelihood Expertise: In-depth understanding of disaster management cycles (pre, during, post), climate adaptation strategies, and rural livelihood vulnerabilities.
• Field Leadership Problem Solving: Ability to navigate complex ground realities, resolve field bottlenecks proactively, and communicate effectively with local communities and high-level officials alike.
• Cross-Sectoral Collaboration: Skills to build consensus and orchestrate efforts between government bodies, NGOs, tech providers, and local enterprise networks.
• Clear Written Analytical Skills: Proficient in developing structured field reports, policy inputs, and project documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Digital Tools: Comfort with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and collaborative online platforms.
• Willingness to travel extensively to remote and disaster-vulnerable field locations across India.