Anticipatory Action Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 

Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
•    Advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    Provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
•    Assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
•    Position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•    Ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

Reporting Lines

The Anticipatory Action (AA) Specialist reports to the National Project Coordinator in Islamabad, under the overall line management and guidance of the FAO Provincial Head in Sindh. He/she will collaborate closely with the programme, technical teams, MEAL, administration, operations, finance, and communication teams and consult with the relevant technical units in FAO Pakistan as necessary. 

Technical Focus

The AA Specialist will lead the coordination of anticipatory action activities in the province and manage the day-to-day project activities at provincial and district levels, including liaison with government and humanitarian partners and facilitation of capacity development or orientation sessions for both provincial level and district counterparts, NGO stakeholders and beneficiaries in FAO’s partner communities in Sindh. S/he will provide technical support and coordinate FAO’s work on early warning, anticipatory action, disaster risk management/risk reduction, and resilience. 

Tasks and responsibilities

The AA Specialist shall perform the following tasks:
●    Supervise the implementation of Anticipatory Action, early warning, disaster risk management/ disaster risk reduction and resilience-building initiatives across the province. 
●    Provide strategic recommendations on enhancing the implementation of the AA approach in priority areas.
●    Provide technical guidance and/or facilitate support to relevant government partners and stakeholders based on technical expertise;
●    Coordinate and liaise with provincial and district-level government partners, AA Technical Working Group (AA-TWG) members and other relevant stakeholders for the conduct of project activities.
●    Prepare and submit reports for activities undertaken;
●    Work closely with the National Project Coordinator for the design of project activities;
●    Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested by the FAO Representative.
●    Collaborate with all the ongoing FAO initiatives across the province to support humanitarian and resilience work. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced degree in one or more of the following: Early Warning and Risk Analysis, Disaster Risk Management, Community Development, Development Studies, Humanitarian Assistance, Climatology, Social/Political Science, Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, Food Security analysis or related field;
•    At least five (5) years of relevant and progressive experience assisting in humanitarian and agricultural/rural development sectors, social protection, Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management (CCA/DRM), programme management and implementation, capacity building, and coordination with national/sub-national structures, I/NGOs, donors, the private sector and UN agencies; 
•    Good Working knowledge of English, Urdu and Sindhi is essential;
•    National of Pakistan

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and multi-cultural background teams;
•    Strong analytical skills, can make appropriate recommendations and effective decisions, including in emergency settings;
•    Excellent coordination and organizational skills with strong individual planning capacity; 
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work 
•    Knowledge of humanitarian principles;
•    Demonstrated attention to detail;
•    Good written communication skills, including in emergency settings; 
•    Strong foundation in programme formulation, planning, implementation, management and evaluation

Selection Criteria 

•    Strong analytical skills, can make appropriate recommendations and effective decisions, including in emergency settings;
•    Excellent coordination and organizational skills with strong individual planning capacity; 
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work;
•    Knowledge of humanitarian principles;
•    Demonstrated attention to detail;
•    Good written communication skills, including in emergency settings; 
•    Strong foundation in programme formulation, planning, implementation, management and evaluation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION