AA Programme Coordinator

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JOB TITLE: AA Programme Coordinator
TYPE OF CONTRACT: CST II
UNIT/DIVISION: PPGR/PPG
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Rome, Italy
DURATION: 11 Months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
One of WFP's flagship programmes for climate risk management is its Anticipatory Action (AA) programme, which is an innovative approach that enables the implementation and financing of actions before an extreme weather event has occurred. These anticipatory actions aim to prevent and mitigate, to the extent possible, the impact of extreme weather events on the food security and nutrition of the most vulnerable populations. Implemented since 2015, WFP's AA portfolio now includes 44 countries in the regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, where together with national and local government partners, WFP is supporting the development of early warning systems and anticipatory actions for critical natural hazards such as droughts, floods and cyclones. In addition to strengthening national capacities for developing and implementing AA programmes, WFP is also working with partners to mainstream AA approaches within humanitarian emergency response systems such as the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
WFP is seeking an expert in AA, project management, proposal writing, M& E and disaster risk management tools and processes to support WFP's AA program. Based at WFP Headquarters and reporting to the Country Office Support Lead, the AA Coordinator will support Country Offices (COs) implementing AA programmes in Africa. The role focuses on providing technical and strategic guidance to help COs design, implement, and scale AA for both fast- and slow-onset hazards.
In collaboration with internal and external M&E experts, the coordinator will lead efforts to build a strong evidence base on AA impact. This includes fostering research partnerships and guiding the development and implementation of country-level AA monitoring and evaluation plans and impact assessments.
The coordinator will also assist COs in mobilizing financial resources to support AA programmes.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Support effective oversight and end-of-project deliverables for WFP's AA Africa programmes such as: i) the development and implementation of annual country-specific workplans and budgets; ii) ensure the timely implementation of activities and delivery of project results; iii) adhere to the monitoring and reporting requirements agreed to within the project document; iv) support to communications; v) provide inputs to global AA annual report to submit to donors.
2. Support implementation and/or design strong, strategic and comprehensive AA programmes that maintain and enhance WFP's position as a leader of the anticipatory approach (AA) in the region, such as designing project proposals, support to workshops and communications, in-country support, hiring technical experts, and supporting opportunities for integrating the AA approach into existing DRM tools, finances and approaches in each region.
3. Provide demand-based support to COs for the implementation and scale up of anticipatory actions, specifically through i) identification of types of actions that can be implemented before a weather shock; ii) development and testing of Anticipatory Action Plans (AA Plans) with forecast thresholds and trigger; iii) set up and implementation of tailored M&E plans to capture the impact of anticipatory actions.
4. Support COs including with in-country missions, in accessing anticipatory finance available through HQ AA funds or UN CERF anticipatory funding.
5. Provide strategic guidance to COs in their formulation of Country Strategic Plans and the potential integration of AA activities with an integrated climate risk management approach.
6. Document and disseminate best practices and lessons learned from the AA activations by generating guidance and advocacy material and organizing knowledge exchange opportunities including with other COs and partners engaged in AA or complementary activities.
7. Ensure effective coordination and collaboration with AA partners at the regional/global levels, through platforms such as national or regional working groups and conferences co-developed with IFRC, OCHA, FAO, Start Network and other partners as needed.
8. Coordinate with other members of the AA team and other HQ divisions to ensure strong collaboration on overlapping activities.
9. Other complimentary activities as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
Annual report for Africa AA programmes including budget and achieved targets
Successful oversight and support to the NORAD-funded multi-year, multi-country programme in southern and western Africa
Successful oversight and support to the Austria-funded multi-year, multi-country programme in western Africa
Development and/or oversight of CERF AA frameworks in Africa
Support to AA workshops, trainings, and complimentary events
Development of advocacy documents such as case studies, press releases, blogs, etc.
Finalization, validation and monitoring of WFP AA Plans for COs in Africa
Successful reporting of corporate AA indicators in APR and ACRs
Successful collaboration with the hydromet/EWS and climate services team.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
University degree with one or more courses in one of the following: climate change adaptation; agriculture and food security; development studies; environmental studies or related
Experience:
At least 5 years of post-graduate experience in climate finance, forecast-based financing/Anticipatory Actions, early warning early action, project management and implementation with experience in Africa desired.
Knowledge & Skills:
Working knowledge of seasonal forecast models, anticipatory action programmes, agricultural forecast models; Knowledge about Africa's climate regimes; Ability to work with minimal supervision and set priorities; Strong writing skills, project proposal development including budgets and logical frameworks, Ability to communicate technical subjects to a wide variety of audiences; Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds..
Languages:
Fluent in English including strong writing skills; working knowledge of French (level B) is an advantage.
 

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