Anticipatory Action Operational Support Officer at World Food Programme (WFP)

The climate crisis poses a significant risk to food systems, disproportionately affecting the most food-insecure people around the world. The impacts of climate variability and extremes are most prominent in the Eastern Africa Region, interacting with other main drivers of hunger and malnutrition, including conflict and economic shocks (now exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic), resulting in the increasing humanitarian needs.

Anticipatory action (AA) approaches have gained significant momentum in recent years, given their potential for a more efficient, effective and sustainable way of managing climate shocks that upholds the dignity of affected populations.

WFP is supporting government and communities to manage growing climate risks through AAs in 8 countries in Eastern Africa (Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda). WFP’s work on AA consists of both: 1) enabling national government, humanitarian and development partners and communities to develop AA systems, as well as; 2) directly delivering AAs to populations at risk of imminent climate hazards.

The WFP Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa – Nairobi (RBN) is providing technical support, guidance, and strategic direction to the countries in the region to develop and implement functional and robust AAs systems. Towards this, RBN is seeking to recruit an associate who will provide roving support to WFP Country Offices in the region to develop and implement robust and sustainable AA systems.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 

• Advanced university degree in Disaster Risk Reduction/ Management, Climate Change Adaptation, Environmental Science, physical science or related field or First University degree with 2 additional years of related work experience.

Experience: 

• A minimum 1 - 2 years of professional working experience in a similar role.
• At least four (4) years of work experience in developing systems for humanitarian preparedness, disaster risk management, anticipatory action, operationalisation of early warning systems, institutional and capacity development (Desirable).
• Direct experience working on anticipatory action programmes is an added advantage.
• Previous experience working with international organisations and Disaster Management Agencies/ humanitarian actors.

Languages: Fluency in English (writing and speaking) is required. Intermediate knowledge of French is an added advantage.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of humanitarian preparedness and response systems, from work with WFP or another related organisation.
• Knowledge of climate action and anticipatory action is a strong asset.
• Ability to work independently in a timely and organized manner.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relationships with cross-functional teams.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the supervision of WFP’s Regional AA Coordinator, the Operational Support Consultant will provide technical and operational support to Country Offices (COs) to:

• Develop and/or improve AA plans for selected climate hazards, through in-country missions and remote support as required.
• Develop feasibility and/or risk assessments, including capacity and policy assessments, to inform the development of AA plans.
• Define criteria for targeting AAs and validate these criteria based on vulnerability and feasibility assessments.
• Implement AA plans in a timely and efficient manner, when the plans are activated.
• Simulate AA plans in case the plans are not activated, to test the plans and generate learning for further improvement.
• Generate learning from system development processes and implementation of AA plans.
• Integrate AA plans in WFP operational systems and country disaster risk management systems.
• Develop AAs costed work plans and track progress on implementing the work plans and budgets.
• Provide general support to the Climate Section in RBN to progress climate action work with the COs.
• Any other duties as relevant.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

• Newly developed and/or improved AA plans for selected countries in the region, based on CO costed work plans.
• Feasibility and/or risk assessment reports.
• At least two learning documents consolidating insights from operational support across countries in the region.
• Validated AAs costed work plans and budgets for country offices.
• Regular progress reports to the Regional AA Coordinator.