Disaster Risk Management Specialist - req38357

The World Bank Group; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

World Bank Group is seeking a Disaster Risk Management Specialist in Washington, DC to provide technical, operational, and programmatic support for disaster risk analytics and management activities. The role requires coordinating hazard/exposure modeling, economics of resilience, and collaboration with client governments on risk reduction.

The successful candidate will contribute to analytical work, project design, and field engagements, working with Task Team Leaders and KIUSD staff to deliver

Qualifications

• Master or PhD in Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of increasing responsibility in disaster risk assessments and risk reduction.
• Experience in international development and disaster risk management.
• Knowledge of building standards and resilience housing.
• Fluency in Python, R and GIS tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead DRM analytics and policy knowledge products.
• Coordinate disaster risk assessments (hazards, exposure, vulnerabilities).
• Develop tools/databases to track exposure to natural hazards at national/c city levels.
• Lead technical engagements with clients and regional teams.
• Train and build capacity in risk reduction activities.

Skills

Fluency in English

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Engineering or relevant field

Tools

Python

R

GIS software

Job description

Disaster Risk Management Specialist

Job #: req38357

Organization: World Bank

Sector: Disaster Risk Management

Grade: GF

Term Duration: Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP)

Recruitment Type: International Recruitment

Location: Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s): English

Preferred Language(s): French, Spanish or Portuguese

Closing Date: 10/5/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

Infrastructure Vice Presidency

Globally, one billion people live more than 2 kilometers from all-weather roads, 685 million people lack electricity, and nearly 4 billion people lack internet access. Access to basic infrastructure services is critical for creating economic opportunities for the poor. The Infrastructure (INF) Vice Presidency within the World Bank is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies. It consists of four global departments: Energy & Extractives (EEX); the Transport and Logistics Department (KIT); Urban, subnational finance, tourism & disaster management, and Global Infrastructure Finance Department (KIUDR). It oversees the Bank's work across energy and transport sectors, urban development, as well as efforts to promote energy transition, low-carbon transportation, livable cities, disaster risk resilience, land management, and quality infrastructure services through public-private partnerships. Infrastructure represents around $110 billion of the Bank’s portfolio. For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/infrastructure

The Global Unit for Disaster and Risk Management Solutions and Impact (KIUSD) supports low and middle-income countries to understand, manage, and reduce their risks from natural hazards and climate change. Within KIUSD, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) umbrella trust fund is a global partnership that helps low- and middle-income countries better understand and reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change. GFDRR has 14 Global Technical Programs, which provide grant financing, analytics, and technical assistance to the most vulnerable countries and communities where it will have the greatest positive impact. As a donor-funded program, GFDRR consults regularly with donors and actively strives to maintain and develop new partnerships for increased impact. For more information: https://www.gfdrr.org/en

Job Duties And Responsibilities

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Specialist will provide technical, operational, and corporate support for the implementation of disaster risk analytics and broader disaster risk management activities and programming. The Specialist will contribute to workstreams including: 1) Rapid post-disaster damage and needs assessments; 2) Hazard and exposure modeling of the built environment; 3) Quantification and analysis of disaster and climate risk; and 4) Economics of resilience, including technical advisory support on building and infrastructure standards and risk-reduction measures implemented by client counterparts.

The role will involve providing high‑quality technical inputs to analytical work, project preparation, and project implementation—such as reviewing and advising on technical studies, contributing to project design, and participating in field missions and virtual engagements with client governments.

The DRM Specialist Will Work In Close Collaboration With Task Team Leaders And Core Staff Of The Global Unit For Disaster And Risk Management Solutions And Impact (KIUSD), Under The Overall Supervision Of The KIUSD Practice Manager

• Lead, coordinate and contribute to development of knowledge products related to disaster risk management analytics and policies. This would include coordinating DRM analytics with the different KIUSD technical thematic areas.
• Coordinate the development and management of disaster risk assessments (hazards, exposure, vulnerabilities), ensuring the assessments are technically robust. The specialist will support regional TTLs to deliver actionable investments in Bank projects, enabling better support to clients.
• Participate in developing tools and databases to better understand and track various aspects of the exposure of the built environment to natural hazards. In addition to developing tools and scalable methods to quantify value of physical assets at the national and city level as well as for different sectors.
• Lead technical engagements support clients and Regional Task Teams in the identification, assessment, implementation and monitoring of Disaster Risk Management solutions.
• Lead the Disaster risk analytics engagement with the integration of geospatial tools/services across the KIUSD’s technical thematic areas, providing input to project documents, developing result indicators, participating in virtual and in-person meetings and missions, and related activities.
• Lead/initiate/participate in training and capacity building in the implementation and procurement of risk reduction and preparedness technical activities to be carried out by client or WB colleagues and ensure integration of best practices into broader multi-hazard risk reduction strategies and response plans.
• Where necessary, discuss and define with the task teams the technical requirements for activities in Disaster Risk Management Technical Assistance, and identify terms of reference, international experts or institutions that can support the activity. This includes contributing to programmatic outputs including results monitoring, reporting, budgeting, and branding.
• Lead/initiate/participate in partnerships with firms, consultants, external institutions, and internal World Bank teams for the co-development of new products, support to operational Task Teams, and advancement of the field of flood risk management.
• Develop analytical products related to Building Regulations for Resilience including technical collaborations with WBG institutions such as IFC and MIGA.
• Lead/initiate/participate in support to clients and Task Teams globally in the identification, assessment, implementation and monitoring of Disaster Risk Management solutions, by conducting and supervising technical studies, providing input to project documents, training and capacity building, developing result indicators, participating in virtual and in-person meetings and missions, and related activities.
• Facilitate coordination with related programs within the Infrastructure Vice-Presidential Unit and the World Bank in general.
• Carry out other tasks relevant to support the overall objective of the position.

Selection Criteria

• A Master or PhD degree in Engineering, particularly in structural engineering or relevant technical field;
• A minimum of 5 years of increasing responsibility in disaster risk assessments and disaster risk reduction with a focus on cutting edge risk analytics;
• Experience in international development and disaster risk management
• Track record of participation in policy discussion in relation to safe buildings and infrastructure
• Strong conceptual and research / analytical skills with the ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and actionable recommendations;
• In depth knowledge and strong programing background with demonstrated quantitative skills including fluency in Python, R and open-sourced GIS software packages;
• In-depth knowledge and expertise of good practice building standards and resilience housing;
• High degree of motivation, initiative, flexibility, reliability, and responsiveness to changing demands;
• Analytical: Consistently demonstrates the use of strong analytical skills to effectively interpret data and make informed decisions, leading to quality outcomes for clients and partners.
• Strong problem-solving skills and proven ability to apply these in carrying out research and operational tasks, presenting findings and recommendations, and contributing to resolution of sector and/or country issues.
• Knowledge of the World Bank key Disaster Risk Management priorities and programs is a plus.
• Excellent sense of initiative, drive for results and client orientation, coupled with strong planning and organizational skills.
• Experience collaborating with government agencies, international organizations, and community leaders.
• Fluency (written and spoken) in English is required. Fluency in an additional language such as French, Spanish or Portuguese is desirable but not required.
• Excellent inter-personal skills, diplomatic and proven ability to work in a team and intercultural environment; Proven communications skills, both in oral presentations and in written documents, including sections of papers, briefs, and independent reports.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

WBG Culture Attributes

• Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
• Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.