Specialist, Regional Anticipatory Action

Job Purpose

Reporting to the IFRC MENA regional disaster risk management coordinator, the regional specialist will provide and facilitate strategic and tailored technical support to MENA National Societies and IFRC delegations in MENA on the anticipatory action approaches, methodologies and tools, incorporating the latest technical developments and lessons learned from the sector on forecast-based Action/Forecast-based Financing (FBA/FBF) ensuring proper engagement with relevant stakeholders.

The regional specialist will work in a cross-functional and integrated manner with different IFRC technical units, ensuring close cooperation with reference centers (Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and Anticipation Hub), Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP), partner national societies, and other Movement/non-movement partners to ensure proper integration of the anticipatory action in other thematic functions as relevant. Whilst representing IFRC in regional coordination platforms related to anticipatory action, the specialist will also seek close collaboration with the science community and academic institutions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Provide technical support to National Societies and IFRC Delegations in the MENA region for the implementation of anticipatory action and related preparedness initiatives and operations:

• Provide technical support and guidance to IFRC delegations and National Societies (NS) on implementing anticipatory action, including FbF projects and other tools, including advice on the FbF methodology and providing technical support for the development of Early Action Protocols (EAP) and other early action plans as part of Contingency and Response plans, through workshops and collaboration with relevant stakeholders (NS, Climate Centre, Anticipation Hub, partners, government agencies, including national hydro meteorological services, disaster management and sectoral agencies etc.)
• Lead the development of MENA regional anticipatory action work plans and provide technical support and guidance to NS and IFRC delegations in the MENA Region in a coordinated manner in line with their own strategies, the IFRC Operational Framework for Scaling Up Anticipatory Action, NS Preparedness Framework, Strategy 2030, IFRC’s policies and plans.
• Provide technical support for the integration of anticipatory action into existing regional and national contingency plans/systems, aligned with broader NS initiatives to strengthen their response and preparedness mechanism (PER).
• Promote understanding of anticipatory action terminologies, tools, quality criteria and approaches including an increased understanding of FbA by the DREF in the region.
• Monitor and follow up the implementation of RCRC led FbF projects in the MENA region in coordination with relevant partner National Societies (PNSs), UN agencies and disaster risk management (DRM) stakeholders … etc.
• Lead on project management of FBA by the DREF mechanisms, including the EAP validation process in close collaboration with IFRC delegations and the DREF focal point in the region.
• Coordinate, lead and support joint initiatives, including scoping of feasibility studies, risk and vulnerability assessments, and/or capacity assessments and/or stakeholder mappings that form the base for the design of FbF mechanism for national/sub-national levels.
• Analyze, coordinate and support the feasibility of implementing anticipatory action in contexts of Fragility, Conflict & Violence (FCV) in close collaboration and coordination with interested partners.

Contribute to the strategic development of and advocacy for anticipatory action in the MENA Region:

• Lead the development of a strategic and advocacy plan on anticipatory action in the MENA region.
• Regularly update the federation relevant and concerned teams of ongoing anticipatory action initiatives, including EAP progress, to ensure activities are closely linked and coordinated with wider national disaster risk management stakeholders.
• Liaise with RCRC and interagency partners, private sector, and other relevant stakeholders on anticipatory action/FbF mechanisms and technical platforms in place throughout the region to ensure good coordination and identify potential synergies and partnerships.
• Support National Societies to advocate nationally and regionally with governments, stakeholders, donors for anticipatory action scale-up mechanisms, plans and strategies in line with national DRM laws and other relevant policies.
• Contribute to planning and resource mobilization, e.g. prepare concept notes, lead/participate in anticipatory action related project/program proposal development.
• Coordinate and facilitate the engagement of regional technical stakeholders to enable regional and national level technical support (regional forecasting and DRR institutes/networks etc.)
• Advocate for anticipatory action (such as FBA) through evidence-based validation, including among NS, IFRC offices and partners.
• Advise NS, partners and IFRC delegations in MENA on a common approach for integrating the anticipatory action into their DRM streams and other strategies.

Learning and Knowledge Management

• Build and contribute to develop evidence basis and capture learning from on-going FbF initiatives for institutionalization of anticipatory action with national and local governments as well as other key stakeholders.
• Compile and share the learning and available analysis from the region with the anticipation hub specially in the MENA region section
• Facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing for anticipatory action/FbF initiatives and processes, including trainings, at regional and national level,
• Provide timely updates and advise on scientific and technical developments, trends, best practise, areas for improvement and lessons learned.
• Support and contribute to the preparation of the regional anticipatory action Dialogue Platforms together with IFRC offices, key Partners, and the Climate Centre, including technical content on behalf of IFRC MENA Region.
• Support the RCRC and external partners in MENA to regularly update and share their evidence-informed Anticipatory Action advocacy strategies and action plans for a coordinated approach in the region.
• Coordinate and support RCRC participation and/or represent at relevant platforms on Anticipatory action and EWEA.
• Contribute to the lessons learnt processes on improving the relevance and effectiveness of the Anticipatory Action, and document achievements and lessons learnt (e.g. from FbF programs and operations in order to i) input to global methodologies and ii) develop case studies, lessons learnt and other knowledge and advocacy products.
• Promote and support monitoring and evaluation of anticipatory action planned interventions in the region.

Planning and reporting

• Support monthly, quarterly, biannual, and annual plans and reports.
• Provide feedback and quality assurance to IFRC offices in the region on annual operational plans with the aim of ensuring the integration and scaling up of anticipatory action.
• Participate in IFRC emergency operations meetings at regional level, providing technical and scientific information related to FbF and early action planning into the planned response activities together with the responding national society

Education

• Relevant post-graduate university degree in DRM or equivalent studies – Required
• Basic Delegates Training Course (BTC), WORC, IMPACT or equivalent knowledge – Required
• Technical training in DRR, including EWEA systems and disaster preparedness for response – Required
• Technical training/competency in climate science, impact forecasting, anticipation and/or financing mechanisms -Preferred

Experience

• 5 years’ experience in humanitarian sector technical level related to DRR programming, institutional preparedness capacity strengthening initiatives, emergency response operations and EWEA systems – Required
• Good understanding of the IFRC policies, system, and procedures – Required
• Good understanding of the global humanitarian environment – Required
• Experience in working for a humanitarian aid organization in the area of DRR in a developing and/or fragile country**- Required**
• Experience in coordinating with the authorities and other humanitarian actors – Required
• Experience in narrative and financial reporting and proposal writing – Required
• Experience in the MENA region – Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Language

• Excellent communication, organization and facilitation skills – Required
• Self-supporting in computers (Email, Internet, spread sheets, word-processing, etc.) – Required
• Skills in developing and training staff – Required
• Skills in negotiation and building relations – Required

Languages

• Fluently spoken and written English – Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (Arabic, French) – Preferred

Competencies and Values

VALUES:

• Respect for diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Accountability

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Communication;
• Collaboration and Teamwork;
• Judgement and Decision Making;
• National Societies and Customer Relations;
• Creativity and Innovation;
• Building Trust

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES:

• Managing Staff Performance;
• Managing Staff Development;
• Strategic Orientation

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic Orientation;
• Leadership;
• Empowering Others