Government Community-based Disaster Risk Management - Anticipatory Action Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations 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 and has started working in Vietnam since 1978 with its Representation (Country Office) opened in Ha Noi.

A growing portfolio in Viet Nam is the Anticipatory Action (AA) agenda. Anticipatory Action is an innovative approach that systematically links early warnings to actions designed to protect families and their assets ahead of a hazard. Acting before a disaster is crucial – it can safeguard lives and livelihoods, build resilience to future shocks, and ease pressure on strained humanitarian resources. This initiative is supported by several resource partners including the European Union, Germany, Belgium, and Sweden. With financial support from ECHO, FAO and Vietnam Dyke and Disaster Management Authority (VDDMA) are implementing a 3 years project on Increasing Capacities and Scale for Anticipatory Action including through Social Protection Systems.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Lead Technical Officer of the project and the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in Viet Nam, and is put under the daily supervision of the CC-DRR Programme Officer.

Technical Focus

The CBDRM/AA Specialist will support the development of AA tools that can be mainstreamed into the Government Community-based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Programme under Decision No. 553/QD-TTg.

Tasks and responsibilities

Development of AA tools to be mainstreamed into the current Government CBDRM Programme:

• Review the Government Decision 553/QD-TTg including, but not limited to, the Guidance on implementation of the CBDRM Programme, CBDRM training materials, community-based disaster risk assessment (CBDRA); • Review the existing anticipatory action materials including, but not limited to, AP Regional Technical Guidance Note, Anticipatory Action Protocol, AA training materials, community validation process, provincial Standard Operating Procedures, etc.; • Support, in consultation with FAO and VDDMA, in identifying potential steps in the CBDRM/ CBDRA to mainstream the AA; • Develop AA tools to be mainstreamed into the identified steps in CBDRM/ CBDRA; • Support in carrying out consultation with stakeholders (Government, UN agencies, INGOs) on the proposed additional tools; • Finalize the AA tools based on the consultation with the stakeholders

Facilitate the training workshop on the mainstreaming of AA into CBDRM/ CBDRA:

• Develop training materials on mainstreaming of AA into CBDRM/CBDRA; • Deliver the training workshop on mainstreaming of AA into CBDRM/ CBDRA for the Government and the national CBDRM/ CBDRA facilitators; • Develop a work plan to pilot of mainstreaming the AA tool in the CBDRM/ CBDRA process; • Support to conduct the pilot of mainstreaming of the AA tool in the CBDRM/ CBDRA process;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree or higher in development studies, humanitarian assistance, disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, agriculture, food security analysis, or other relevant fields; • Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in CBDRM/ CBDRA, DRM, climate change, agricultural/rural development sectors • Working knowledge of English • National of Vietnam or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience and good knowledge of national disaster risk management, climate change-related agenda, and mitigation/adaptation activities; • Experience in conducting CBDRM/ CBDRA under Decision 553/QD-TTg (previously Decision 1002/QD-TTg) and supporting the Government in developing community disaster plans; • Ability to interact tactfully and effectively with multiple institutional actors in diverse sectors and at diverse levels; • Proven capacity to conduct fieldwork and ability to work in teams and establish working relationships with central and local government institutions and civil society organizations; • Good command of computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Internet); • Understanding of FAO policies and programme is considered a strong asset. • Proven capacity to conduct community-based disaster risk assessment, facilitate training workshops, and develop assessment tools and training materials; • Good multi-cultural and interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners in Viet Nam at all levels (Ministries, donors, private sector, NGOs, and local community-based organizations);