Disaster Risk Reduction and Anticipatory Action Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO supports the coherent implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). FAO’s efforts related to disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies and governance include mainstreaming DRR within agricultural development planning, developing capacities for disaster impact monitoring in agriculture, and strengthening coherence between DRR and climate change adaptation processes.

As the UN Specialized Agency for the food and agriculture sectors, FAO has the responsibility of assisting member countries in integrating Anticipatory Action within the disaster risk management cycle to reduce the impact of disasters on vulnerable and food insecure communities. Acting early, before a disaster has actually happened, or reached its peak is critical: it can save lives and protect livelihoods from the immediate shocks and increasing the resilience of local communities over time.

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE), through its Regional Priority 4 (RP4) – Building Resilience to Multiple Shocks and Crises in the Near East and North Africa (NENA), is strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities, through efforts to improving food security risk information, risk governance, vulnerability reduction, preparedness and response to recurrent food insecurity in the region.

The post is located in the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo, Egypt.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will report to the Senior Field programme officer / RP4 Delivery Manager.

Technical Focus 

Disaster Risk Reduction and Anticipatory Action (DRR and AA)

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Field Programme Officer and the RP4 Delivery Manager, and in collaboration with Country Offices in the region, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Anticipatory Action (DRR and AA) Specialist will contribute to the delivery of RP4’s work related to DRR and Anticipatory Action and provide support to FAO Country Offices of the region.

Tasks and responsibilities

Provide technical leadership, guidance and support on DRR and AA

•    Support integration and articulation of all elements of DRR and AA within the RP4 strategy and work plans;
•    Provide technical guidance and support to countries in the region to inform the design and implementation of their DRR and AA initiatives;
•    Technically support the implementation of context-specific DRR and AA systems in high-risk countries through the development of plans, risk monitoring processes, identification of appropriate early warning sources, design of AA protocols, etc. 
•    Produce technical reports; 
•    Identify, analyze and share good practices related to DRR and AA.
•    Provide inputs to projects’ development and resource mobilization.

Lead DRR and AA capacity building interventions 

•    Develop DRR and AA capacity building strategy for NENA region based on gap analysis and consultations within RNE and Country Offices.
•    Develop training materials - capitalizing on relevant FAO resources as well as other resources, tailored to the needs and contexts of NENA countries and roll-out a training program;
•    Contribute to strengthening the capacities of FAO teams, national governments, regional institutions and humanitarian partners on DRR and AA, through the organization of specific trainings and capacity building activities.

Provide hands-on technical support and guidance to the implementation of priority projects

Building Local Resilience in Syria (BLRS) project: 
•    In close consultation with BLRS project team, provide technical guidance to develop work-plans for activities that enhance target groups' risk awareness, anticipation capacity, and resilience to environmental and market-related shocks.
•    Technically support the implementation of planned DRR/AA activities, ensuring strong linkages with other BLRS project outcomes. 
•    Develop and implement capacity building activities. 

Global AA project:
•    Coordinate the planning of RNE component of the global AA project.
•    Lead the implementation of regional activities.
•    Technically support and oversee the implementation of country activities,
•    Document and sharing learning from the project within the region and beyond. 

Establish and maintain effective partnerships 

•    Liaise and coordinate with regional stakeholders to ensure integration of agriculture-related DRR/AA in regional work plans;
•    Coordinate FAO contributions to relevant interagency products (e.g. reports, analyses, etc.).

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in international relations, early warning systems, climate change, GIS, rural development
•    7 years of relevant experience in disaster risk reduction and anticipatory action
•    Full proficiency/working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills  

•    Experiences/good understanding in the area of Disaster risk reduction, Anticipatory Action, climate change adaptation, monitoring and evaluation, Early warning systems 
•    Extent and relevance of experience in capacity building for various audiences
•    Familiarity with working in more than one location

Selection Criteria

•    Knowledge of Arabic or French is an asset