National Project Personnel - Anticipatory Action Specialist

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FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Monday 20 Dec 2021 at 22:59 UTC

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Organizational Setting

The position is located in the FAO Project Office in Hyderabad. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, the action is to assist government to develop drought-focused AAPs update and refine the plan. The Organisation strives to secure sustainable development gains while ensuring that all interventions to support agriculture and food systems are risk-informed and sustainably productive. Food crisis contexts require a well-organized, highly prioritized, and well-resourced humanitarian and resilience programme to play a meaningful role in the relevant fora at national, regional and global levels. In short, prevention and mitigation of disasters, whether related to natural hazards, plant and animal pests and diseases, together with being prepared and able to respond when disasters hit, require structured and agile system that is able to carry out effective processes of risk assessment and risk management. It will further facilitate coordination between Disaster Management Authorities (NDMA/PDMA) and social protection stakeholders (including the unit in charge of the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER)) to provide practical recommendations to link AA and existing SP schemes in Pakistan.

A growing portfolio in Pakistan is the Anticipatory Action agenda. Anticipatory Action is an innovative approach which 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.

Reporting Lines

The Anticipatory Action Specialist reports to Project Coordinator. The Specialist will further work in close collaboration with the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) Anticipatory Action team.

Technical Focus

Support the implementation and technical rigor of the Anticipatory Action approach in Pakistan

Tasks and responsibilities

The Anticipatory Action Specialist will:

  1. Lead the development of Anticipatory Action Protocols
  • Analyse existing vulnerability and disaster risk information to identify risks to agriculture and food security, priority areas and livelihoods.
  • Consolidate early warning information on the priority risks and support the selection of key indicators for primary climate risks.
  • Identify early warning triggers, i.e. the risk level thresholds beyond which financial resources should be rapidly allocated to prevent and mitigate the impact of a forecast hazard on agriculture and food security.
  • Formulate crisis timelines overlaying seasonality, livelihood impacts information to identify timings for early warning and anticipatory action.
  • Define, with support of international Anticipatory Action consultants, the protocols and standard operating procedures for linking early warning to anticipatory action, including precise roles and responsibilities for risk monitoring and implementation.
  • Support the operational and timely implementation of anticipatory action at country level by conducting field missions, advising on appropriate actions and operational arrangements as well as accessing the Anticipatory Action Fund.
  • Lead efforts to embed Anticipatory Action into the national and local disaster risk management (DRM) systems.
  • Support the Anticipatory Action Impact Assessment including Return on Investment (ROI).
  1. Support linking Anticipatory Action and Shock-Responsive Social Protection including cash preparedness
  • Liaise with social protection and cash preparedness experts to further explore the link with Anticipatory Action and how these systems can be streamlined into Anticipatory Action approaches.
  • Provide technical support and advice to social protection and cash preparedness experts to carry out feasibility studies and establish recommendations to move forward with linking these thematic areas to Anticipatory Action.
  1. Lead collaboration efforts both with key partners and potential donors
  • Strengthen partnerships and inter-agency efforts on Anticipatory Action at country level. This includes fostering collaboration on early warning (e.g. common triggers, joint alerts and appeals) as well as coordinated anticipatory action implementation on the ground.
  • Support efforts to engage donors and new partners on the Anticipatory Action agenda.
  • Externally represent and advocate AA with donors, government counterparts, technical partners and UN Agencies.
  1. Lead Anticipatory Action capacity building and communication efforts
  • Support efforts to institutionalize Anticipatory Action with key government partners.
  • Support capacity building activities at country level, including the delivery of FAO Anticipatory Action learning programme.
  • Support communication efforts through tailored products and different means including web, photo/video, social media and press releases.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

  • Advanced degree in one or more of the following: Development Studies, Humanitarian Assistance, Early Warning and Risk analysis, Climatology, Disaster Risk Management, Social/Political Science, Food Security analysis or a closely related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in humanitarian and agricultural/rural development sectors including work experience with national and international NGO’s, UN agencies, governments and donors.
  • Previous experience in the Asia-Pacific region is an asset.
  • 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

  • Work experience in more than one location or area of work
  • Excellent organizational skills;
  • Good written communication skills, including in emergency settings;
  • Demonstrated ability to analyse problems, make appropriate recommendations, effective decisions, including in emergency settings;
  • Strong foundation in programme formulation, planning, implementation, management and evaluation

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
  • Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
  • For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: fao.org