Student assistant position information

Governance and Institutional Framework for EWS

Background

The Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP) at the Asian Institute of Technology is recruiting a Student Assistant to support its work on delivering regional training support on Urban Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning for Cities in the Asia-Pacific, Communication. This technical initiative focused on strengthening urban resilience and public risk communication capacities in Asia and the Pacific. The work supports improved institutional coordination, inclusive communication practices, and evidence-informed learning to enhance the ability of cities and communities to respond effectively to environmental, climatic, and public health risks.

The student assistant will support literature synthesis and the design of practical governance and coordination frameworks that clarify institutional roles, escalation pathways, and accountability mechanisms for early warning communication systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Review global and regional governance frameworks, including:
  • WMO multi-hazard early warning guidance
  • UNDRR Sendai Framework
  • CAP (Common Alerting Protocol)
  • ASEAN and regional early warning coordination models
• Map institutional arrangements across:
  • National meteorological and hydrological agencies
  • Disaster management authorities
  • Municipal and city governments
  • Public health and environmental agencies
  • Community-based organisations
• Support in developing practical tools, including:
  • Institutional mapping matrices
  • Role and responsibility tables
  • Escalation and decision-making flowcharts
  • Governance framework diagrams
• Support development of city-level governance models for:
  • High-connectivity urban settings
  • Low-connectivity and informal settlements
• Contribute to standards for inter-agency coordination and accountability.

Expected Outputs
The expected outputs are a desk review synthesis report and related outputs, which include:

• Governance Review
  • Analytical summary of governance mechanisms and policy frameworks relevant to early warning communication at national and local levels.
  • Identification of institutional mandates, overlaps, and coordination gaps.
• Institutional Mapping and Coordination Tools
  • Institutional coordination diagrams and tables showing the flow of information and responsibilities.
  • Stakeholder mapping matrix summarizing roles, influence, and communication channels.
• Protocols and Procedures
  • Draft escalation and accountability protocols tailored for local government or community settings.
  • Suggested standard operating procedures (SOPs) for multi-agency communication and response.
• Knowledge Synthesis and Documentation
  • Annotated bibliography or evidence matrix summarizing key documents reviewed.
  • List of references and all tables and diagrams with proper citations.

Required Qualifications

• Student or recent graduate in public policy, governance, disaster risk management, urban planning, or related fields
• Familiarity with institutional analysis and coordination systems
• Strong analytical and writing skills

Duration and Supervision

• Duration: 3 months (from March to May, 2026)
• Mode: Hybrid (AIT / Remote)
• The Student Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Climate Change Cluster, AIT-RRC.AP.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• An updated CV and cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience.
• Contact details of two references