Intern (CCSD-CCRE-DRM) 2601-018

Climate Change & Sustainable Development (CCSD)

Disaster Risk Management (DRM)

1. Internship Topic

The emergence of artificial intelligence and machine learning has led to a rapid increase in the volume of data available to quantify the direct and indirect impacts of disasters. This position will provide support to the team to compile, collate, and analyze new and existing datasets on the impacts of disasters in Asia and the Pacific DMCs and inform the development of a standardized view of historic and future impacts on disaster risk.  CCSD is looking for a highly motivated individual with knowledge and understanding of the impacts of disasters and good attention to detail to support the development of a standardized view of disaster risk within ADB.  

The intern will

• Review and compile different datasets that estimate disaster losses in Asia Pacific, this should take into account the different impact areas (e.g. affected population, damage to physical assets, economic losses, environmental impacts etc.).
• Enhance the datasets (including by harnessing AI tools, where available) by consolidating data records and enhancing the granularity of information – including (where possible) locating events to a subnational level, and identifying key sectors affected.
• Identify average losses by impact area to help inform the development of consistent view of disaster impacts in Asia and the Pacific.
• Develop a dissemination package for this data, this should include a short guidance note, a power point presentation and short paper on the key findings from analyzing the data.
• Identify future directions, including opportunities to leverage AI and emerging technology, to continue enhancing disaster impact data capture and management in the future.
• Leverage the above analysis to provide inputs to ADB's climate and disaster risk data collection work in the Pacific as requested by the Team Lead.
• General support to the DRM team on ADB's climate and disaster risk activities.

3. Period of Assignment

Duration: 11 weeks

Timing: June 2025 onwards

4. Location

ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines

5. Expected Outcomes

• ADB is better informed on disaster impacts in DMCs.
• ADB has the ability to locate the appropriate disaster impacts for each country depending on the metric sought e.g. Tropical Cyclone, Earthquake, direct loss etc.
• Better information for smarter investments is included in the Climate and Disaster Risk Explorer currently under development

6. Education Requirements

Currently enrolled in a master's degree or PhD program which focused on disaster risk management, climate change, hydrology, GIS, environmental engineering, environmental economics, statistics or similar field.

7. Relevant Experience and Other Requirements

• Knowledge/experience of working with Developing Member Countries (DMC) governments.
• Awareness of the policy architecture of Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change relating to MDBs and ADBs DMC.
• Experience of quantifying the economic impacts of disaster would be an asset but is not essential.
• Experience in applied research including literature review and stakeholder consultation.
• Preferably with 2-3 years relevant professional experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English