Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Expert

Position Title: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Expert

Due to the operational nature of this role, preference will be given to applicants who are currently based in Tamil Nadu, India and possess valid work authorization. RIMES is committed to diversity and equal opportunity in employment.

Open Period: 30 June 2025 – 29 July 2025

Background: The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) is an international and intergovernmental institution, owned and governed by its Member States, for the generation, application, and communication of multi-hazard early warning information. RIMES was formed in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, as a collective response by countries in Africa and Asia to establish a regional early warning system within a multi-hazard framework, to strengthen preparedness and response to trans-boundary hazards.

RIMES was formally established on 30 April 2009 and registered with the United Nations on 1 July 2009. It operates from its regional early warning center located at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) campus in Pathumthani, Thailand.

Position Description: Increasing risks associated with Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) materials and incidents—both accidental and deliberate—needs urgent attention to anticipate and manage CBRN risks . Tamil Nadu the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency (TNDRRA)’s propose to enhance its capabilities in risk assessment, detection, early warning alerts, preparedness, emergency response, and recovery from CBRN including Hazardous Material ( HAZMAT ) such as oil spills risks & instances of cargo ships or any other containers wreckage/capsizing leading to spread of harmful chemicals in shores.

As part of its commitment to enhancing the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency (TNDRRA)’s disaster management capacities, the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) for Africa and Asia Pacific region seeks the services of a qualified CBRN/HAZMAT expert to support TNDRRA in developing and implementing a comprehensive CBRN/HAZMAZT risk management framework.

Duty station: TN-SMART Project Office, Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency, Ezhilagam Annex Bld., Chennai, India.

Type of Contract: Full-time Project-Based contract

Skills and Qualifications:

Education:

• Advanced university master’s degree in chemistry, physics, biology, environmental science, nuclear engineering, disaster management, or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience CBRN /HAZMAT risk management / emergency response.
• Proven experience with CBRN disaster Management and Response agencies.
• Familiarity with international standards, treaties, and conventions (e.g. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Organization for Prohibitions of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW), World Health Organization (WHO) , United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).

Desirable:

• PhD in one of the relevant areas of CBRN /HAZMAT.
• Experience working with related national /intergovernmental / international organizations.
• Experience designing or deploying CBRN/HAZMAT surveillance, detection, or response technologies.
• Experience in training, simulations, or capacity-building programs.
• Knowledge of regional CBRN risks and geopolitical dynamics.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in English essential; reading /writing /speaking in Tamil is an asset.
• Ability to work collaboratively across agencies and sectors.
• Absolute integrity, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Risk Assessment and Early Warning

• Conduct TN state-level CBRN/HAZMAT risk and vulnerability assessments in collaboration with TNSDMA Technical Cell team members of TNDRRA , other stakeholder institutions within Tamil Nadu, and national/regional/global partner institutions.
• Prepare/update CBRN/HAZMAT Risk Maps, Review the SOPs DM Plans, Emergency response Protocols at CBRN facilities/Plants for Tamil Nadu in collaboration with Tamil Nadu State / National stakeholder institutions.
• Develop and implement risk assessment protocols for early detection and alert systems.
• Establish and maintain a TNSDMA CBRN /HAZMAT incident database and threat monitoring framework.
• Customize Consequence modelling tools for Tamil Nadu context to generate Risk Scenarios.
• Establish TN state-level IT-based data analytics tools such as AI/ML to generate scenario-based risk DSS products in collaboration with the RIMES Regional Data Analytics Center.
• Support TNSDMA’s decision-making in respect of CBRN/HAZMAT risks management through seamless integration of distinct but interrelated components across the full spectrum of the disaster management cycle: risk assessment, early warning, disaster preparedness, emergency response, recovery, rehabilitation, reconstruction, prevention, and mitigation.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), guidelines, and manuals for CBRN/ HAZMAT.
• Establish an Integrated dash board of existing CBRN facilities/Plants to enable 24x7 monitoring by TNSDMA.

Emergency Response and Recovery

• Support TNSDMA-led coordination Emergency management practices to prepare for and respond to and recover from CBRN/HAZMAT emergencies.
• Assist in recovery planning and the restoration of affected systems.
• Provide post-incident technical assessments and lessons-learned analysis.
• Capacity Building and Technical Support.
• Provide technical guidance and training to Tamil Nadu stakeholders (e.g., first responder agencies, environment-related institutions, and local-level agencies).
• Facilitate simulations, tabletop exercises, and drills to test preparedness and response.
• Customize global/national standard Training Materials for Tamil Nadu context.
• Conduct Training of Trainers Courses for enhancing capacity professionals of TN Stakeholders institutions on Risk Assessment Protocols standard operating procedures (SOPs), guidelines, and manuals in respect of CBRN/HAZMAT.

Research and Development

• Assist TNSDMA in reviewing policies and drafting new contingency plans related to CBRN risk management and mitigation.
• Ensure integration of CBRN /HAZMAT concerns into disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies and frameworks.
• Promote interagency coordination and national/international cooperation on CBRN /HAZMAT issues.

Reporting and Advisory

• Prepare monthly/quarterly reports.
• Advise on equipment, technologies, and partnerships relevant to CBRN /HAZMAT management.

Any other tasks

• The above responsibilities are illustrative and not exhaustive. Undertake any other relevant tasks that could be needed from time to time

Contract Duration

The contract will initially be for one year and may be extended based on the satisfactory completion of a 180-day probationary period and subsequent annual performance reviews.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should send your application letter, resume, salary expectation and 2 references to rimeshra@rimes.int by midnight of 29 July 2025, Bangkok time.

Please state “Chemical,Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Expert :Your Name “the Subject line of the email. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Ms. Dusadee Padungkul

Head-Department of Operational Support

Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System

AIT Campus, 58 Moo 9 Paholyothin Rd., Klong 1,

Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120 Thailand.

RIMES promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Well-qualified applicants particularly women are encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Application Question(s):

• Do you have any prior work experience with Non-Profit Organizations, International Organizations, or Inter-Governmental Organizations?

If not, are you interested in working in such environments? Please elaborate briefly.

• Kindly specify your salary expectations.

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• working with NGOs: 1 year (Preferred)
• CBRN /HAZMAT risk management: 5 years (Required)
• Training & development: 1 year (Preferred)
• Geopolitical dynamics: 1 year (Preferred)
• Emergency response: 5 years (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)

Location:

• Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (Required)