Disaster Risk Reduction and Anticipatory Action Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member countries, FAO operates in more than 130 countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff dedicated to improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. FAO's work is guided by the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR).

Job Overview:
The Disaster Risk Reduction and Anticipatory Action (DRR and AA) Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the FAO's Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) in its mission to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities against disasters. This position involves providing technical leadership and guidance on DRR and AA initiatives, ensuring that these elements are integrated into the RP4 strategy and work plans. The specialist will work closely with FAO Country Offices in the region to design and implement context-specific DRR and AA systems, which include developing risk monitoring processes and early warning systems. The role also entails producing technical reports, identifying best practices, and contributing to project development and resource mobilization efforts. The specialist will be responsible for leading capacity-building interventions, developing training materials, and enhancing the capabilities of FAO teams, national governments, and humanitarian partners in the region. The position requires a proactive approach to building local resilience, particularly through projects like the Building Local Resilience in Syria (BLRS) and the Global AA project, which aim to improve risk awareness and anticipation capacity among target groups.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and support on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Anticipatory Action (AA) initiatives within the RP4 strategy and work plans.
• Support countries in the region by providing technical guidance for the design and implementation of their DRR and AA initiatives.
• Develop context-specific DRR and AA systems in high-risk countries, including plans, risk monitoring processes, and early warning systems.
• Produce technical reports and share good practices related to DRR and AA.
• Contribute to project development and resource mobilization efforts.
• Develop a DRR and AA capacity-building strategy for the NENA region based on gap analysis and consultations.
• Create training materials tailored to the needs of NENA countries and roll out training programs.
• Strengthen the capacities of FAO teams, national governments, and regional institutions through training and capacity-building activities.
• Provide technical guidance for the Building Local Resilience in Syria (BLRS) project, ensuring strong linkages with other project outcomes. 1
• Coordinate the planning and implementation of the RNE component of the Global AA project, documenting and sharing learning from the project.

Required Qualifications:

• A university degree in international relations, early warning systems, climate change, GIS, or rural development.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in disaster risk reduction and anticipatory action.
• Full proficiency or working knowledge of English.
• Strong understanding of disaster risk reduction, anticipatory action, climate change adaptation, monitoring and evaluation, and early warning systems.
• Experience in capacity building for diverse audiences and familiarity with working in multiple locations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in a relevant field such as international relations, early warning systems, climate change, GIS, or rural development. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of disaster risk reduction and anticipatory action in the context of agricultural development and food security.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in disaster risk reduction and anticipatory action. This experience should encompass a strong understanding of the principles and practices of DRR and AA, as well as practical experience in implementing these initiatives in various contexts, particularly in high-risk countries. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of successfully leading projects and capacity-building efforts in this field.

Languages:
Full proficiency or working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Arabic or French is considered an asset, as it would enhance communication and collaboration with regional stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Cairo, Egypt, at the FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa. The role involves full-time engagement and may require travel within the region to support various initiatives and projects. The selected candidate will be part of a dynamic team focused on enhancing resilience and food security in vulnerable communities across the Near East and North Africa.