Job Opportunities at World Food Programme (WFP)

WFP´s vision for the next 5 years is to mainstream AA systems within the humanitarian program cycle, and support the implementation of the Regional Roadmap for Enhancing AA in the IGAD region with partner governments for the scale-up of multi-hazard AA systems across all countries in the region. In that aim, WFP is seconding an AA Specialist to the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) to facilitate cross-country technical support, AA system development, and support the scale-up of existing AA programs. This will be an expert with skills in seasonal/weather forecasting, disaster risk reduction (DRR), Python programming, GIS based analysis and mapping, an in-depth understanding of the Greater Horn of Africa climate regimes, AA systems and their linkages with disaster preparedness/response to support partner governments and humanitarian partners integrate AA systems into their disaster risk management policies and operational activities

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 

• Advanced university degree in Meteorology, Geography, Disaster Risk Management and Environmental Science and related disciplines or First University degree with 2 additional years of related work experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 (three) years of professional working experience in a similar role.
• At least 7 (seven) years of postgraduate work experience, in progressively responsible roles in weather or climate forecast development and application in disaster risk management, humanitarian, international development and/or public sector aid programs. (Desirable)

Languages: 

• Working knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of another UN official language (Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian or Chinese) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages) is an advantage.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of seasonal/weather forecasting, Python, GIS and mapping
• An in-depth understanding of climate regimes in the Greater Horn of Africa
• Knowledge of 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 multi-disciplinary teams

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of WFP’s Regional AA Coordinator & ICPAC:

• Guide ICPAC's work on impact-based forecasting (IBF) & its use in AA systems.
• Coordinate capacity strengthening, remotely and in-country, for National Meteorological Services (NMS), National Disaster Risk Management Authorities, and technical partners to support AA system development in the region.
• Develop guidelines for IBF development for AA systems (documenting process, results, learning and turning this into guidance for use by Met Services).
• Development of thresholds for various hazards and linkages with AA trigger evaluation methodology to support needed capacity strengthening of NMSs.
• Support joint programming of WFP and ICPAC works to advance innovative regional disaster risk management actions such as development of proposals, organizing discussion forums, among others.
• Development of partnerships and effective collaboration with technical partners, universities and private sector to support early warning system strengthening.
• Support the mainstreaming of AA triggers within ICPAC systems e.g. East African Hazard Watch and Disaster Operations Centre situation room and IGAD policies to support further scale up in the region.
• Coordinate with the various science initiatives in ICPAC to support the development of AA triggers in complex settings.
• Support the validation of multi-hazard AA triggers and thresholds for to be used in national AA Plans (AAP).
• Support the validation of early warnings that trigger AAPs.
• Any other duties as relevant.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

• Development of an AA trigger evaluation methodology.
• Guidance notes for IBF development for use in AA systems development.
• Guidance notes for developing triggers for complex climate hazards.
• Successful support to the Regional AA RoadMap for the IGAD Region.
• Technical support to the development of EWS strengthening in the following countries in the region: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan South Sudan and Uganda.
• Validation of triggers/thresholds in AA plans and the early warnings that trigger them for Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda
• Joint programming and proposals for implementation by WFP and ICPAC jointly.
• Development of a work plan that supports activities to mainstream AA systems within IGAD/ICPAC regional systems, and to support implementation of the AA roadmap in the region.
• Regular progress reports to the WFP & ICPAC AA Regional Coordinators.

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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.