Programme Officer-Early Warning

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of alleviating hunger and improving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, and it strives to create a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities it serves. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, including being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, and continues to invest in the professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs. The organization emphasizes the importance of effective humanitarian assistance and aims to reach millions of people globally with its initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Programme Officer-Early Warning position at WFP is crucial for enhancing food security and resilience among vulnerable populations by providing expert support for seasonal forecasting and ensuring the last-mile delivery of climate information at national, district, and community levels. The role involves acting as a vital link between technical climate data and end-user needs, facilitating effective decision-making processes. The officer will work under the supervision of the Project Coordinator and will receive technical guidance from Principal Meteorologists and other senior staff. This position requires a proactive approach to integrating climate services with disaster risk reduction strategies and food security initiatives, ensuring that the needs of local communities are met through tailored climate products and effective communication of climate-related information.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordination and Technical Support: Serve as the technical liaison between the IACoV II project team, LMS, and DMA on climate services and early warning systems. Facilitate coordination among stakeholders to align climate services with disaster risk reduction and food security strategies. Enhance collaboration between meteorological services and disaster management authorities for timely sharing of forecasts and alerts. Lead the development of a climate change media press kit for effective dissemination of climate-related information.
• Climate Information Development and Dissemination: Lead the development of tailored climate products in collaboration with LMS and other partners to meet end-user needs. Support meteorological data processing and interpretation to produce actionable insights for anticipatory action and early warning. Implement impact-based forecasting protocols for triggering anticipatory actions based on forecast thresholds and risk indicators. Develop and disseminate user-friendly climate advisories and early warning messages through appropriate channels.
• Capacity Building and Outreach: Build capacity among various stakeholders, including local authorities and community leaders, to interpret and use climate information for disaster preparedness. Plan and provide training to media, NGOs, and community leaders on effective communication of climate change impacts. Facilitate training workshops and simulation exercises to test early warning protocols.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: Collaborate with M&E teams to track and evaluate climate service activities. Identify indicators to measure the effectiveness of climate-informed disaster risk reduction efforts. Contribute to the development of project reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong stakeholder engagement and coordination skills, with a proven ability to build capacity through training and mentorship. Excellent facilitation and documentation skills are essential, along with the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks effectively. A commitment to inclusive and participatory approaches is also required, ensuring that all community voices are heard and considered in the decision-making process.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in meteorology, climate science, disaster risk reduction, or a related field is required, along with a minimum of three years of professional experience in disaster risk reduction, food security, early warning systems, or climate services. Alternatively, a first degree with additional relevant experience may be considered sufficient for this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of professional experience in relevant fields such as disaster risk reduction, food security, early warning systems, or climate services. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of the complexities involved in climate information dissemination and the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within WFP and for the dissemination of climate information. Knowledge of additional languages, particularly those relevant to the local context, would be considered an asset and beneficial for community engagement.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve working in a multicultural environment. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees for applications or recruitment processes, and all employment decisions are made based on merit and organizational needs. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment.