Anticipatory Action Specialist

Lead and implement IRC’s globally funded Anticipatory Action responses.

IRC - The International Rescue Committee

Open positions at IRC

Nairobi (Kenya), Berlin (Germany), London (United Kingdom)

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Overview

Lead and implement IRC’s globally funded Anticipatory Action responses.

You have:

At least 5-8 years of professional experience leading both humanitarian & development responses, including contingency planning, with demonstrated analytical skills.
Excellent written English, including the ability to synthesize information and draft high-quality reports. French / Spanish / Arabic would be an advantage but not essential.
Demonstrated experience of the use of cash for education, health & protection would be an advantage.
Understanding of IRC cash transfer systems & protocols would be an advantage but is not essential.
Excellent organizational skills: the ability to multi-task, learn quickly, and work independently and productively in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to effectively collaborate with and motivate a variety of people in a multi-cultural environment.
Excellent digital literacy: MS Word, Excel, and web-based project management tools (e.g., Asana). Proficiency in Excel strongly preferred.
It is essential that the Anticipatory Action Specialist is not only comfortable with, but thrives in a role that involves constant change.

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Details

Note: this position is contingent upon approval of funding

Specific Responsibilities:

The Anticipatory Action Specialist will lead IRC’s Trafigura Foundation & Google.org funded Anticipatory Action responses globally – as well as other potential private foundation funding. Potential future responses include: Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guatemala & El Salvador.

The dynamic nature of forecast-based programming, working within a constantly evolving 4-month planning window, means that it is essential that the Anticipatory Action Specialist is not only comfortable with, but thrives in a role that involves constant change. It is also essential that the Anticipatory Action Specialist is willing & able to work in Fragile & Conflict Affected contexts for at least 3 weeks / quarter.

The AA Specialist specific responsibilities are as follows:

In select contexts, ensure timely implementation of Anticipatory Action responses (70%)

• Monitor Long-range forecasts

o In partnership with IRC’s Climate Analyst, the Anticipatory Action Specialist will use long-range forecasts to prioritize locations for Anticipatory Action responses

o In prioritized locations, the Anticipatory Action Specialist will lead the engagement with Regional & Country Program teams and ensure coordination with relevant Technical Units and the Emergency & Humanitarian Assistance Unit (EHAU). This will include provide an overview of IRC’s “follow the forecast” approach to Anticipatory Action and practical implications for Country Program teams, including likely timeline, staff & budget requirements and direct support that can be provided.

• Rapid Contingency Planning

o The Anticipatory Action Specialist will lead the development of a rapid contingency planning process with Country Program focal points (typically ERD / Emergency Coordinators).

o The rapid contingency planning process involves a review of available secondary data and develop the initial parameters of a response plan including geographic priorities, potential timelines for response, understanding of existing livelihood strategies, review of existing Anticipatory Action protocols (drawing on Anticipation Hub data) and direct support for a contingency planning workshop. This typically involves 3 weeks of in-country support that includes coordination with other operational agencies, primary data collection as well as leading the contingency planning workshop itself.

• Cash Transfers

o Cash transfers are the primary response modality for IRC’s Anticipatory Action responses

o The Anticipatory Action Specialist will work closely with Country Program staff, the Anticipatory Action (HEA) Specialist & IRC’s broader Cash Global Practice Area to determine the appropriate cash transfer modality, cash transfer value and transfer schedule.

o The Anticipatory Action Specialist will also ensure that the broader Anticipatory Action portfolio makes best use of IRC’s significant historical investments in broader cash programming & existing cash capacity.

• Cash Preparedness

o Cash Readiness: initial assessment of Country Program cash capacity in the initial Go / No Go decision and determination of cash support requirements during the contingency planning period

o Cash Feasibility: specific assessments that may be required to determine the feasibility of cash transfers in specific locations where Anticipatory Action responses are activated.

o Cash Preparedness: additional short-term cash preparedness activities that may be needed (based on cash readiness assessment) before the start of an Anticipatory Action response.

o Cash Preparedness: if there are periods with limited Anticipatory Action responses planned: cash preparedness activities in Country Programs with significant long-term climate vulnerability but not on the IRC Watchlist (since these are supported by EHAU).

• Early Warning

o Cash transfers are combined with Early Warning messages using IRC’s digital platform: Signpost

o For flood hazards, IRC is piloting the integration of Signpost and Google Flood Hub to automate the delivery of early warning messages

o The Anticipatory Action Specialist will support the design & timely delivery of early warning messages as a key part of the rapid contingency planning process.

• Learning & Documentation

o Develop & update Standard Operating Procedures for the use of cash in IRC’s Anticipatory Action responses

o Document Anticipatory Action responses to support policy & advocacy, communications & learning.

Support & encourage collaboration with key partners

• Support national coordination & partnerships with other operational agencies & coordination forums.

• Support the Senior Specialist and Climate Global Practice Lead in external donor and stakeholder engagement related to IRC’s “follow the forecasts” approach to Anticipatory Action.

• Externally represent and advocate for AA with local stakeholders and local / national Government.

Lead Anticipatory Action capacity building and communication efforts (15%)

• Lead internal capacity building of Country Program team in core Anticipatory Action tools in Counties where an Anticipatory Action response is triggered.

• Support efforts to raise awareness of IRC’s “follow the forecast” approach to Anticipatory Action internally among Technical Units, EHAU, Country Programs & Regional teams.

• Support efforts to raise awareness of IRC’s “follow the forecast” approach to Anticipatory Action amongst other operational agencies in Countries where an Anticipatory Action response is triggered.

Key Working Relationships:

• Anticipatory Action Team: Anticipatory Action Senior Specialist, Anticipatory Action Specialist (HEA), Anticipatory Action Coordinator & Climate Analyst

• Country Programs (DDP, ERD Coordinator, Emergency Coordinator)

• Emergency & Humanitarian Assistance Unit (EHAU)

• Technical Units (Health, Education, Protection, Economic Recovery & Development)

• Policy & Advocacy and Communications

Position directly supervises: Anticipatory Action Coordinator

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

• Internal: EHAU, Research and Innovation department teams, ERD Technical Unit teams, Grant Operations & Analytics Team, Awards Management Unit staff, and IRC country office staff.

• External: Trafigura Foundation, Google.org.

Job Qualifications:

• It is highly desirable, but not essential, that the Anticipatory Action Specialist is an experienced Cash practitioner with a comprehensive understanding of the use of cash transfers in both humanitarian and longer-term development contexts – as well was Fragile & Conflict Affected States

• Understanding of IRC cash transfer systems & protocols would be an advantage but is not essential

• **Demonstrated experience of the use of cash for education, health & protection would be an advantage

• **Experience in contingency planning & emergency responses would be desirable.

Work Experience:

• **At least 5- 8 years of professional experience leading both humanitarian & development responses, including contingency planning, with demonstrated analytical skills.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• it is essential that the Anticipatory Action Specialist is not only comfortable with, but thrives in a role that involves constant change

• Excellent organizational skills: the ability to multi-task, learn quickly, and work independently and productively in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to effectively collaborate with and motivate a variety of people in a multi-cultural environment.

• Excellent digital literacy: MS Word, Excel, and web-based project management tools (e.g., Asana). Proficiency in Excel strongly preferred.

• Dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion and a passion for IRC’s mission.

Language Skills: Excellent written English, including the ability to synthesize information and draft high-quality reports. French / Spanish / Arabic would be an advantage but not essential.

Working Environment: Berlin, Germany / London, UK / Nairobi, Kenya. This position can be fully remote.

We operate the Disability Confident Employer Scheme in the UK. Under this scheme criteria marked with ** are the minimum criteria in line with our commitments under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme. UK based candidates who state that they have a disability and meet these criteria, will be invited to interview

Recruitment Process

The process for this role will be as follows:

• Screening call online

• First round interview with the hiring manager online

• Second round panel interview online– including a presentation task

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply UK based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Qualifications

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Potential interview questions

Describe a time when you had to adapt to significant changes in a project on short notice.	The interviewer wants to assess your adaptability and comfort with change.	Provide an example detailing the situation, actions taken, and the outcome, focusing on your ability to remain productive amidst changes.
How do you ensure timely coordination with various teams during emergency planning?	The interviewer is interested in your collaborative approach and organizational skills.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you explain your experience with cash transfer systems in humanitarian or development settings?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
What approach do you take when developing contingency plans for unforeseen emergencies?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe your experience in capacity building for teams in high-pressure environments.	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you maintain strong partnerships with local stakeholders during program implementation?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
What role does learning and documentation play in your approach to anticipatory action?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you share an example of how you've effectively communicated complex information to a diverse audience?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.