Call for Experts: DRRS Philippines - 2026

Background

The Philippines has recently (end of 2025)  been hit by multiple severe weather events—Typhoons Tino and Uwan, followed by tropical storm Verbena—causing extreme rainfall and widespread flooding, especially in Negros Occidental where Bacolod City and nearby areas were heavily affected. The disasters led to major displacement, infrastructure damage, and disruption of essential services, while also severely impacting livelihoods, agriculture, businesses, and transport. As communities face ongoing recovery challenges, these recurring events highlight the urgent need for stronger risk reduction and resilient infrastructure. Although the province has an established disaster risk system, gaps remain in flood modelling and risk analysis, prompting a request for support from the DRRS programme to improve flood hazard mapping and impact-based modelling as an initial focus.

Objectives and scope

The objective is to build on the outcomes of the initial scoping study conducted in the beginning of 2026, as well as insights gained from discussions with provincial stakeholders on disaster risk management and resilience building. The visit (May/June) will focus on capacity exchange related to exposure analysis, flood risk mapping, and impact modelling—both through hands-on engagement and the sharing of best practices. This aims to: (1) strengthen the knowledge base at the provincial level, and (2) identify the key components required to develop Terms of Reference (ToR) for a follow-up project on a province-wide, hazard- and impact-based flood risk assessment.
 

Required expertise of the team:

Teamleader: POSITION FILLED 

Hydrologist/ Flood Risk Management expert: Minimum 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in hydrological modeling, flood risk assessment, and water resources management, with demonstrated fieldwork capabilities in diverse geographic and climatic contexts.

• Flood Hazard & Risk Mapping: Advanced proficiency in developing flood hazard maps using hydraulic modeling software (e.g., HEC-RAS, MIKE FLOOD, InfoWorks ICM) and integrating topographic, hydrological, and land-use data to assess flood extents, depths, and velocities across various return periods.
• Hydrological Data Analysis: Expertise in the interpolation and extrapolation of hydrological data, including rainfall, river discharge, groundwater levels, and sediment transport. Skilled in applying statistical methods (e.g., frequency analysis, trend analysis, regression models) to fill data gaps and extend time series for ungauged or poorly monitored catchments.
• Catchment Hydrology: Deep understanding of watershed processes, runoff generation mechanisms, and the impact of land-use change and climate variability on hydrological regimes. Experience in rainfall-runoff modeling and flood forecasting systems.
• Risk Assessment Frameworks: Ability to conduct comprehensive flood risk assessments by integrating hazard, exposure, and vulnerability data. Proficient in developing risk matrices, damage-probability curves, and cost-benefit analyses to inform resilience planning and infrastructure investment decisions.
   

Junior Data Scientist:  Maximum 3 years of experience in flood risk mapping, geospatial data processing (drone imagery), acquisition of field data and working with different sets of data. Feel free to apply even if you do not match all of these criteria, we look forward working with you!

• Geospatial Data Processing: Familiarity in processing drone-captured imagery (orthomosaics, point clouds, and digital elevation models) using GIS software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS) and photogrammetry tools (e.g., Pix4D or Agisoft).
• Excellent (intercultural) communication skills: The candidate is expected to productively work with local experts and both understand their needs as well as bring across new ideas.
• Infrastructure Mapping: Ability to identify, vectorize, and categorize critical infrastructure (e.g., bridges, embankments, drainage systems) from high-resolution aerial datasets to support spatial risk assessments.
• Flood Risk Modeling: Understanding of hydrological and hydraulic principles to assist in mapping flood-prone areas, calculating inundation extents, and integrating field-collected data into flood susceptibility models.
• Data Management & Visualization: Skills in managing large spatial datasets, ensuring data integrity, and creating clear, actionable thematic maps and dashboards for non-technical stakeholders.
• Technical Tools: Familiarity with drone mission planning software, basic scripting for data automation (e.g., Python, R), and experience with data collection mobile platforms (e.g., Qfield/KoboToolbox/ODK).
• Experience in working in lower-middle income countries is an advantage.
   

For a more comprehensive understanding of the context, please refer to the Terms of Reference.

Planning
Deployment is currently foreseen for end of May - beginning of June for apprx 7 days.

Interested?
Please send the following to drrs@rvo.nl by Monday 20 April 1PM CET. If you have questions please feel free to reach out. 

1. an updated CV
2. a brief motivation letter
3. the title of the position you are applying for
4. your availability

We strongly encourage a diverse set of candidates to apply, as we are committed to fostering gender diversity and inclusion in DRRS. Moreover, we stimulate national experts to become part of our database and to apply for vacancies. Please visit our website and become part of our network.

At RVO we are fully committed to creating a safe and respectful work environment. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment (PSEAH). All deployees/experts must adhere to the Code of Conduct, which outlines ethical standards and behaviors expected within our organization. Successful candidates will be required to uphold these principles and participate in mandatory PSEAH and CoC training as part of their onboarding process.