Disaster Risk Management Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an international organization that leads global efforts to eradicate hunger and ensure security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all. Established in 1945, FAO operates in over 130 countries and has a mission to support sustainable agricultural practices and improve nutrition. The organization works closely with governments and partners to transform agrifood systems, making them more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. FAO's initiatives include strengthening disaster risk reduction and enhancing early warning systems to protect vulnerable communities from climate-related risks.

Job Overview:
The Disaster Risk Management Associate will play a crucial role in FAO's regional disaster resilience team, particularly in the context of the anticipated 2026/27 El Niño event. This position is centered in Bangkok and involves providing hands-on support to the regional El Niño portfolio. The associate will be responsible for coordinating various activities, managing information, and developing knowledge products that will aid in operational follow-up across different country and regional workstreams. The role requires collaboration with FAO country offices, technical teams, and various stakeholders, including governments and Red Cross/Red Crescent partners. The associate will also engage in climate-risk analysis and anticipatory action, contributing to the overall goal of enhancing food security and agricultural resilience in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Disaster Risk Management Associate will undertake a variety of tasks, including:

• Supporting information management for FAO’s regional 2026/27 El Niño work by maintaining action trackers, country updates, timelines, meeting records, and follow-up actions across regional and country workstreams.
• Consolidating and presenting climate, drought, heat-risk, agricultural, and operational information from FAO country offices and technical partners into concise regional updates, briefing notes, dashboards, presentations, and decision-support products.
• Assisting with the coordination of routine El Niño monitoring and preparedness processes, which includes scheduling and preparing meetings, compiling inputs, recording decisions, and following up on agreed actions with country offices and technical colleagues.
• Contributing to knowledge management and evidence building by organizing project documentation, implementation records, monitoring information, and lessons learned from anticipatory action interventions, as well as supporting the preparation of After-Action Reviews and evidence products.
• Supporting communication and knowledge-sharing on El Niño preparedness and anticipatory action by drafting accessible internal updates, talking points, summaries, and materials for regional partners and events.
• Assisting with regional coordination and learning processes, including engagement with ASEAN partners and the Asia-Pacific Technical Working Group on Early Warnings and Anticipatory Action, and supporting the preparation and documentation of workshops, consultations, and learning events.
• Supporting other related disaster resilience, early warning, and anticipatory action tasks as required, as part of the regional team and with appropriate guidance and mentoring.
• Contributing to exploring practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for climate and agricultural risk analysis, including organizing and preparing datasets, testing AI-assisted approaches for synthesizing and visualizing information, documenting use cases and limitations, and supporting the responsible use of emerging tools for impact forecasting, early warning, and anticipatory action.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, and agricultural resilience. They should demonstrate excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Proficiency in information management and data analysis is essential, along with strong communication skills to effectively convey complex information to diverse audiences. Familiarity with the FAO's mission and objectives, as well as experience in working with international organizations, is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
A degree in a relevant field such as environmental science, agriculture, disaster management, or a related discipline is required. Advanced degrees or specialized training in disaster risk reduction or climate change adaptation will be considered an asset. Candidates should have a solid academic foundation that supports their understanding of the complexities involved in managing disaster risks and enhancing agricultural resilience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant professional experience in disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, or related fields. Experience working in international organizations or with governmental and non-governmental partners is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate a track record of successfully managing projects or initiatives related to disaster resilience and food security, as well as experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder processes.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the working language of FAO. Proficiency in additional languages, particularly those relevant to the Asia-Pacific region, such as Thai, Mandarin, or French, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's competitiveness for the position.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Bangkok, Thailand, which is a family duty station with a range of accommodation, health, education, transport, and recreational services. The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific is centrally located, providing easy access to public transport. The role may involve some travel within the region, and candidates are expected to adhere to UN security guidance and local laws. The position is full-time, and the organization offers a competitive compensation package along with various benefits.